Racquel Stephen
Health/environment reporterRacquel Stephen is WXXI's health reporter. She joined the newsroom in 2021.
Racquel’s multifaceted radio background includes reporting for WAER in Syracuse and as a host for WLGZ-HD2 in Rochester.
Racquel holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of Rochester and a master's degree in broadcasting and digital journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Racquel’s interest in health reporting stems from navigating through the developmental disabilities of her toddler son, and witnessing inequities within the health care system.
-
After multiple bargaining sessions and an informational picket, the two SEIU unions at the University of Rochester have authorized a strike in a nearly unanimous vote.
-
After 40 years, Dr. Nancy Bennett is retiring from a career as a community health leader. When asked why now, Nana — as she is affectionately called by her peers — said it's time for new voices and new ideas.
-
A CPR training opportunity for bystanders only requires a library card.
-
Diversifying the force has been on the industry's agenda for years across the country. And locally, it’s at the forefront of the new Rochester Fire Department chief’s plans. Two young women — who happen to be identical twins — are working to be part of the change.
-
The local nursing shortage is at crisis level, according to health care officials, but Monroe County announced this week that it plans to fund a potential solution.
-
Rochester Regional Health is currently training new staff members. But these employees require artificial intelligence to operate.
-
Although progress is being made toward addressing teen mental health, experts say there’s still more that needs to be done to meet the demand for resources. A new facility that’s in the works aims to help do that.
-
The family of Rosa Wims announced that the 100-year-old former nurse died on Sunday. Wims was one of Rochester’s first Black nurses and paved the way for many more Black female medical professionals to follow.
-
The vaccines produced by Moderna and Pfizer are said to provide protection against current circulating variants.
-
The union contracts for Strong Memorial Hospital and University of Rochester healthcare and service workers have been extended for a limited time while both parties continue to negotiate over non-economic issues.