Holy Name Press Releases

Holy Name Medical Center Launches First Filipino Medical Program in US

Provides Culturally Sensitive Care to Growing Community - Expands Asian Health Services

December 3, 2015

Holy Name Medical Center announces the launch of the first hospital-based Filipino Medical Program (FMP) in the US. The program, under the umbrella of Holy Name's Asian Health Services (AHS), is designed to meet the medical needs of this community in a culturally-sensitive environment and provide healthcare amenities to make Filipino-American patients and their families feel welcome and comfortable.

Customized services include Filipino cuisine items added to the hospital menu for inpatients, Filipino newspapers and cable television channels in patients' rooms, a translated patient guide, translation services, a dedicated community hotline, as well as a network of Filipino-American physicians. Holy Name Medical Center's faith-based mission also addresses the spiritual needs of its patients and visitors - who are predominantly Catholic - providing daily mass in the Medical Center's interfaith chapel, which is also accessible via the patients' bedside monitors.

The FMP is also offering a series of free community health events in northern New Jersey, providing health education resources, assistance with Affordable Care Act enrollment and health screenings for Diabetes, Hepatitis B, and BMI/body composition. These events are coordinated in partnership with various community organizations, including the Filipino American Society of Teaneck, National Federation of Filipino American Associations, Brothers and Sisters of Charity, Philippine American Lay Apostolate of Dumont, the Filipino-American Association of Fairlawn and other Filipino community organizations. To access a full calendar of community events for the Filipino community, visit holyname.org/filipino/.

"Holy Name Medical Center's Filipino Medical Program continues the hospital's mission to provide culturally-sensitive care, said Michael Maron, President and CEO, Holy Name Medical Center. "The hospital's Asian Health Services program has become a national model for building sustainable initiatives that improve population health by partnering with physicians, volunteers and charitable donors."

In New Jersey, the Filipino population increased over 23% between 2000 and 2010, and continues to grow. Ranking third among Asian populations in the state, more than 116,341 Filipino-Americans live in New Jersey - the largest groups living in Hudson and Bergen counties respectively. The largest concentrations of Filipinos are in Bergenfield in Bergen County (4,569) and Jersey City (16,213) in Hudson County.

"Holy Name honors the uniqueness of every individual. Personalizing care, for our Filipino patients, engenders trust and a sense of security, making patients feel at home," said Kyung Hee Choi, Vice-President of Asian Health Services. "Offering medical services with culturally appropriate health care amenities has made patients feel more comfortable at the Medical Center, encouraging them to undergo preventive screenings and helped them to be more proactive in maintaining their health."

Holy Name Medical Center's Asian Health Services (AHS) - which includes the Korean Medical Program established in 2008, the Chinese Medical Program launched earlier in 2015, and the new Filipino Medical Program - provides patients with high quality health care in their native language and in an environment sensitive to their culture.

To learn more about the Filipino Medical Program and Asian Health Services at Holy Name, visit holyname.org/filipino/, email filipinomedical@holyname.org or call (201)833-3355.