Maimonides Health on Tuesday welcomed representatives from over 40 community organizations across southern Brooklyn to its annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
The event, now in its second year, brought together hospital staff, clinicians and community leaders to discuss ways to improve healthcare accessibility for Brooklyn’s Hispanic and Latino populations, according to a press release.
The evening began with a “clinical mingle,” where staff from Maimonides Cancer Center, Jaffe Stroke Center, Heart & Vascular Center, and other departments met with community group representatives to foster collaboration and create more accessible healthcare services for Brooklyn’s Hispanic residents.
"Healthcare is about connecting with the total human being. Our belief that all patients in Brooklyn deserve world-class care is at the heart of all our work. Our partnerships with people like those here tonight are where we get our strength and inspiration to keep driving that mission forward," said Ken Gibbs, president of Maimonides Health.
The event also honored two community leaders for their service to the Hispanic community. Ismael Castillo, assistant vice president of Security at Maimonides Medical Center, and Carina Vizhnay, community relations coordinator for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
“Our diverse community is what makes our hospital, and this event, so meaningful. Together we share the strength of our heritage, our values, and our contributions to this great institution," said Castillo.
Vizhnay dedicated the award to her partners and the Sunset Park community which she said "gave me the opportunity to do something special.”
Maimonides said it strengthened its services for Hispanic and Latino patients, including offering patient translation services, community health screenings, and establishing Brooklyn’s only Spanish-language cancer support group. Other initiatives include self-defense workshops offered in multiple languages, reflecting the hospital’s commitment to its diverse community.
