Richard Kennedy, M.D.

Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Rochester, Dr. Kennedy worked at Rochester's Orchard Street Community Health Center, an innovative community health center adjoining an inner city elementary school. On learning that 41% of kids coming into that school came with a history of lead poisoning, he became a founding member of the the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning (CPLP), serves as a member of the CPLP Board, co-chairs its Screening and Professional Education Committee and, in the past, managed the Coalition's web page.

Education and Training
Dr. Kennedy received his medical degree from the University of Illinois, Abraham Lincoln College of Medicine in Chicago, IL. He completed his residency in family medicine at West Suburban Hospital Medical Center in Oak Park, IL. He completed a two-year fellowship in biopsychosocial medicine exploring the interrelationships of biologic, psychologic, social and spiritual experience and well being at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Dr. Kennedy thinks narratively and believes every patient's life is an unfolding story. While each person is the author of their life, Dr. Kennedy enjoys playing the role of a "friendly editor" in exploring possible futures and helping people finish their stories well.

Special Interests
Dr. Kennedy has a special interest in biopsychosocial medicine and community medicine. He has worked extensively with the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning. In addition, he has a special interest in international health and has been to Haiti 10 times since the 2010 earthquake to help create a health center. He is in the process of setting up a Telehealth to Haiti project to connect Haitian medical needs to US resources.

Professional Background

Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Rochester, Dr. Kennedy worked at Rochester's Orchard Street Community Health Center, an innovative community health center adjoining an inner city elementary school. On learning that 41% of kids coming into that school came with a history of lead poisoning, he became a founding member of the the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning (CPLP), serves as a member of the CPLP Board, cochairs its Screening and Professional Education Committee and, in the past, managed the Coalition's web page.

Dr. Kennedy currently sees patients at the newly formed Family Medicine Department of Jordan Health Center and codirects the Community Health Improvement Clerkship for 4th year medical students. He is on the Strategy Team for the emerging Rochester Children's Zone Project, an ambitious project to bring all relevant services together into a partnership to optimize the early life experience and school success of kids of the neediest section of Northeast Rochester.

Research