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Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC)
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INFORMATION FOR

Outreach and Engagement Core

Through communication with the general public, healthcare professionals and service providers, the Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement Core (ORE) assists the Clinical Core with the recruitment of a clinical population. This Core facilitates the recruitment of not only symptomatic patients, but also asymptomatic family members. This Core will offer ongoing programs to all people enrolled in the ADRC cohort.

Educational services are provided to the public through a long-standing collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter. A key role is to remove barriers to minority research participation and to extend education programs to a racially and ethnically diverse audience.

For more information on programs offered by the ADRC, please call 203-785-5526.

ADRC Community Advisory Board (CAB)

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
  • Elisamuel Colon
  • 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.

Outreach and Engagement Core Leadership

The Outreach and Engagement Core is led by Dr. Richard Marottoli, MD, MPH

Members