Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement Core

CAB members bring a range of personal and professional experiences to the ADRC. The CAB will offer expertise and advice regarding recruitment strategies, community contacts, and relevance of materials.

The ADRC Community Advisory Board (CAB) members include:

• John Blanton, MD
  • Dr. Blanton is a retired pediatrician and a former A4-study subject at the Yale Alzheimer’s Research Unit. Although retired he continues to teach first year medical students and participates on a medical school committee. Retirement leaves a lot of time to travel and see amazing places. For 40 years he has grown orchids under lights in his basement and photographs them when they bloom. Dr. Blanton has been a private pilot for 60 years. He feels that participating in a research study and the Advisory Committee allows him to stay more informed about the advances in understanding Alzheimer’s disease and potential treatments.
• William Davis
  • Bill Davis is the husband and caregiver of Maxine Davis, a former elementary school teacher in New Haven. Maxine was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease in 2015 and is currently in the middle stage of the disease. Bill retired from ATT and currently works as a realtor when he's not serving as a caregiver.
• JoAnne Lewis, PhD
  • JoAnne Lewis was employed in the field of Higher Education/Student Affairs for 35 plus years prior to retiring in 2006. She holds a BA degree from St. Augustine's University, Raleigh, NC and MSW, PhD degrees from the University of Connecticut.
    
    JoAnne enjoys community service volunteering through her church and sorority, traveling, singing in choirs and being a grandmother.
• Francisco Rosario-Ortiz, PhD
  • Dr. Rosario-Ortiz is a bilingual clinical psychologist working with the adult and geriatric patient population of the Cornell Scott Hill Health Center in New Haven, CT. Dr. Rosario-Ortiz completed his Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 2011 at Albizu University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. During his practice in Puerto Rico he focused his practice on dialectical behavioral therapy for adults with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder and their families. He moved to CT in 2018 and has been providing psychotherapy to adult population in the community mental health setting in New Haven. His clinical interests include evolutionary psychology, acceptance and commitment therapy, depressive disorders, cognitive disorders, and personality disorders.
• Maise Russell
• Linda Smith
  • Linda Smith is the Director of Community Relations for Optimus Health Care Inc. She has honed her passion for community health promotion and health awareness in various roles for patients and community ranging in the faith-based sector and patient sector in the Greater Bridgeport service areas.
• Maria Canales
  • Maria Canales currently works at Yale Alumni Association supporting volunteers, development and program initiatives. Her work during the pandemic with the Cross Campus tool for alumni and tools to stay connected earned her the prestigious Linda K. Lorimer Award for Distinguished Service at Yale University. She has over 10 years of experience in data management, financial analysis, and operational management. She received her MBA from the University Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College. Her passion for serving her community has led her to serve on various boards and committees including the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, Connecticut Older Adult Collaboration for Health (COACH) committee, Yale New Haven Hospital Patient and Family Advisory Council, Casa Otonal and the Hartford Youth Peace Initiative. Maria is a life-long resident of New Haven, CT and a graduate of the Hopkins School.