University of Rochester Medicine Receives 2026 Health Equity Innovation Award from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

May 2026

University of Rochester Medicine’s Center for Community Health & Prevention (CCHP) has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Health Equity Innovation Award from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. This annual award supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving health outcomes throughout the region.

The award will support a Bilingual Health Education Series, an initiative designed in partnership with Father Tracy Advocacy Center’s (FTAC) Neighborhood Ambassador Program. The series aims to identify ambassadors’ learning priorities and personal health goals, address these priorities, explore health issues relevant to their communities, provide opportunities to discuss navigation of the healthcare system, and monitor progress on personal health goals. Ambassadors are people with substance use disorders employed by the FTAC as peer advocates. The FTAC is a non-profit organization on N. Clinton Ave. that helps people recover from substance use disorders in a way that respects each person’s experience and journey.

Health sessions will be delivered in Spanish and English and accompanied by a nutritious meal that is prepared and served on site. A bilingual, culturally responsive curriculum will be created with ambassadors for future use in other settings.

The Health Equity Innovation Awards reflect Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s ongoing commitment to strengthening community health by investing in initiatives that expand access to care and address social drivers of health.

“We are honored to be recognized with this award,” said Laura Sugarwala, MBA, RD, director of Community Health Partnerships at the CCHP. “This funding will enable us to provide evidence-based behavioral health education in purposeful and meaningful ways, helping us further our mission and better serve our community.”

For more information about the Bilingual Health Education Series, please contact program leads Laura Sugarwala or Rashmi Jasrasaria, MD, physician liaison for the Community Health Partnerships team and a primary care physician at University of Rochester Medicine Strong Memorial Hospital.