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Meet Dr. Candice Lucas

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Equity

Dr. Lucas has been on the front line in the fight for racial and structural equity for Rochester’s most vulnerable communities. She led the Facing Race, Embracing Equity Health Disparities group and helped bring $8 million to the community for health care jobs. She was also the lead staff for the Commission on Racial and Structural Equity (RASE) which outlined recommendations to dismantle systems of oppression across the county. As your elected legislature, Dr. Lucas will work to implement the RASE recommendations and move Monroe County toward becoming an equitable community. 

Advocacy

Dr. Lucas has spent her career advocating for new programs, policy changes, and systemic reforms to improve the living conditions for residents in our community.  Dr. Lucas will be your advocate at the county level to ensure your voice is heard, your concerns are addressed, and equity is brought to our community. 

Community

Dr. Lucas has been a resident of the northeast for 30 years. She raised her children in 14621, and from a young age taught them the importance of community engagement, self-advocacy, and public service. Dr. Lucas has held positions of Chief Community Engagement Officer for Monroe County, Chief Community Impact Officer for Wilmot Cancer Institute and Director of Community Health Services at the Center for URMC Community Health and Prevention. She is committed to uplifting the Rochester community in both her professional and volunteer duties.   

Experience

With 20 years’ experience in the health and human services field, Dr. Lucas has developed programs and led projects aimed at improving the health and financial well-being of community residents. Over her career, Dr. Lucas has held the following leadership positions in community 
engagement: 

  • Senior Vice President of Equity and Advocacy, Urban League of Rochester 

  • Chief Community Impact Officer, URMC Wilmot Cancer Institute    

  • Chief Community Engagement Officer, Monroe County 

  • Executive Director, St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center 

  • Director of Community Health Services and the Cancer Services Program, URMC Center for Community Health 

  • Assistant Director, Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CASH) 

  • Senior Analyst and Project Manager, Bank of America (Fleet)  

Key
Accomplishments

Dr. Lucas gets the job done.  She fully commits to the work and ensures there are outcomes and impact:

  • led the revival of the RCSD Parent Advisory Council from 2008-2013 to ensure parent voices were elevated and considered along with teachers and principals when fighting for the rights of our children. 

  • chaired the Facing Race, Embracing Equity Health Working Group from 2013-2016 and helped bring the $8 million Health Professionals Opportunity Grant to our community.  

  • co-chaired the African American Health Coalition convened by Common Ground Health from 2014-2020 and published the “Color of Health” report highlighting the causes of unequal health status for African Americans and steps to improve health outcomes. 

  • worked as lead staff for the Commission on Racial and Structural Equity from 2020-2021 and provided recommendations to city and county government on removing unfair and unjust policies and practices. 

  • helped coordinate county efforts to combat the COVID 19 pandemic and bring resources to communities of color from 2020-2022. 

Education &
Trainings

Dr. Lucas believes that education is the pathway to success. By working to achieve the highest level of academic attainment, she serves as a role model for her children and their peers. 

  • Doctor of Education: St. John Fisher University - 2017 

  • Master of Business Administration: E. Phillip Saunders College of Business (RIT) - 2006 

  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Rochester Institute of Technology - 1996 

  • Notary Public: New York State Commissioned - 1997 

  • Healthcare Business Academy - 2018 

  • University of Rochester LEAD Program - 2015

  • Leadership Coaching Certificate Program: UR Warner School of Education - 2013 

  • Leadership Rochester - 2010 

  • African American Leadership Development Program: United Way - 2008 

Community & Volunteer Engagement

Dr. Lucas is a proven leader. She holds leadership positions in both professional and volunteer roles. She will bring her poised and consistent leadership abilities to the county legislature.  
 

  • Chair, Monroe County Democratic Committee - 29th Legislative District Committee 

  • Chair, Monroe County Community Engagement Task Force

  • Co-Chair, URMC Downtown Community Design Advisory Committee 

  • Secretary, Leadership Rochester Board of Directors 

  • Board member, YMCA of Rochester Urban Services 

  • Advisory Council member, Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester 

  • Former board appointments:

    • Chair, Cancer Community Advisory Council (CCAC), Wilmot Cancer Institute

    • Chair, Community Technology Assessment Advisory Board (CTAAB), Common Ground Health

    • Chair, African American Health Coalition, Common Ground Health

    • Chair, Race and Health Disparities Work Group, Facing Race, Embracing Equity

    • Secretary, Empire Justice Center Board of Directors

    • Board member, Hillside Children’s Center 

    • Board member, Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Central New York Affiliate

    • President, Rochester City School District Parent Advisory Council

    • Chair, Health Systems and Mission Committee, American Cancer Society Rochester Chapter 

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