Thriving In Our Community
The KT585 Team
Bringing community access to Rochester families
Megan Callanan Lasaponara, MD
Executive Director
Dr. Lasaponara founded Kids Thrive 585 in 2012 as part of her Community Health and Advocacy Resident Education (CARE) path during her medical training.
Marc Lavender, MD
Board Member, President
Dr. Lavender practices primary care medicine at East Ridge Family Medicine and teaches community health to medical students and physicians in training at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He lives in the city of Rochester with his wife and two daughters. Please honk if you see him riding his bike around town!
Amy Albanese
Board Member, Secretary
Amy Albanese is our Board Secretary. She currently works as an Intake Specialist for Person Centered Services. Amy also provides Community Habilitation services for a young woman who self-directs her services.
Amy attended Notre Dame College of Ohio where she obtained her B.A. and K-12 teaching license specializing in mild-moderate interventions. After graduation Amy taught children with Autism in Ohio for three years before moving back to Rochester, NY. Prior to working
for Person Centered Services, she was the Community Resource Specialist for The Arc of Monroe. In two years as the Community Resource Specialist Amy helped over 200 families navigate the OPWDD eligibility process, including applying for Medicaid as needed. Amy also provided each of the families she supported with community resource referrals.
Amy is passionate about providing families in Monroe county with community resources and
supporting people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Amy has found her calling assisting families to navigate the OPWDD eligibility process. Amy brings a wealth of knowledge on community-based supports and she is committed to supporting the families of Kids Thrive 585.