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Holy Name Medical Center’s Asian Health Services Named a Health Hero

Innovative Program Recognized by NJ Department Of Health

June 7, 2017

Holy Name Medical Center's Asian Health Services (AHS) has been selected as one of the state's Population Health Heroes, one of only eight initiatives in New Jersey to receive the award. AHS, a nationally-recognized leader for offering linguistically and culturally sensitive care to a diverse population, provides more than 60,000 medical, preventive and wellness care visits annually to members of the Asian community on its Teaneck campus as well as three satellite locations in Closter, Englewood Cliffs, and Paramus.

As more aspects of health care shift to wellness and prevention, programs and services that promote healthy behaviors are increasing across the state. The Population Health Hero awards serve as recognition of innovative and effective initiatives made by hospitals, physicians and community organizations to reach segments of their communities and make a measurable difference in health outcomes. AHS won the award for the Health Care Provider Institution category.

"This award recognizes Holy Name's commitment to providing advanced health care in a manner that is sensitive to patients' individual customs and traditions,” said Michael Maron, President and CEO of Holy Name. "We have become a national leader in addressing population health management approaches and methodologies and other hospitals have looked to our model for guidance."

Asian Health Services was created following the success of the Korean Medical Program and now encompasses the Chinese, Filipino, Indian and Japanese Medical Programs, in addition to the Korean program. Asian patients are provided high quality health care in their native language and in an environment sensitive to their culture. Specific screenings and educational programs are provided for diseases and conditions that are more prevalent in the Asian community, while patients in the Medical Center are offered Asian cuisine, television stations and translation services.

Kyung Hee Choi, Vice President of Asian Health Services, founded the Korean Medical Program and spearheaded the creation of the ASH. She accepted the award from state Health Commissioner Cathleen D. Bennett during the Department of Health's Population Health Summit at Rider University in Lawrenceville today.

"With Asian Health Services, we have developed a clear mission to serve the community with a culturally-sensitive care model," said Kyung Hee Choi. "But cultural aspects of care alone aren't enough. We form partnerships with bilingual physicians and offer preventive screenings in the community, in addition to providing cultural amenities in the hospital setting."

Holy Name and the other seven winners were chosen out of 47 applicants. Among the other winners are a physician who helps reduce the risk of diabetes for Latino families, an urban hospital that helped 3,000 patients learn how to better manage chronic diseases and a collaboration between teachers and students who promoted the benefits of walking with a walking school bus route.

"Shifting the healthcare system's focus to wellness and collaborating with communities to build healthier environments that promote wellness are cornerstones of the Department's work," said Health Commissioner Cathleen D. Bennett. "Inspiring initiatives to improve Population Health are ongoing in every region of our state, and it's important that we shine a spotlight on this incredible work not only to honor our awardees but to encourage others."