Page 7 - 2017 KA'AKBAY January-June

January to June 7
2017

Pioneering Filipino Medical Program Launched in New Jersey

Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega met with officials of the
Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey to discuss its newly-
launched pioneering Filipino Medical Program and to discuss further
collaboration on wellness, health, and lifestyle issues affecting Filipinos
and Filipino-Americans.

In a discussion with Holy Name Medical Center’s Vice President

for Asian Health Services Kyung Hee Choi and Filipino Medical Program

Officer Veronica Lavarro, Consul General de Vega reaffirmed the

Consulate General’s support for the program and its assistance in raising

awareness of its unique services for the Filipino Community. She noted

that there is a need for greater information dissemination as Filipinos, like

Consul General Dizon-de Vega with Holy Name Medical Center Vice the greater Asian-American Community, are generally hesitant to seek
President for Asian Health Service Kyung Hee Choi and Veronica Lavarro available health and human services when based overseas.
of the Filipino Medical Program (photo by NYPCG)
Ms. Choi and Ms. Lavarro explained that their unique program,

which stemmed from successful Korean Medical Programs, caters to the most prevalent health conditions among Filipinos such

as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney and gall bladder illnesses, and hypertension, among others.

The program provides Filipino patients with facilities for health screenings, access to Filipino television programs such
as The Filipino Channel, Philippine magazines and reading materials, and Philippine food in the hospital menu for in-patients
such as porridge (Lugaw, arroz caldo) and Adobo. Filipino language materials are likewise available for those who have
difficulty reading English.

During the facility visit Consul General de Vega had the opportunity to converse with a Filipino-American patient who
had availed of the program’s services.

According to Ms. Lavarro if the program is successful, they are optimistic that it will be replicated in other medical and
health institutions and help promote a healthier lifestyle among the Filipino-American Community.

The Consulate and the Filipino Medical Program will undertake further collaborative work in reaching out to the Filipino-
American community on addressing health concerns, particularly during Human Services Day held every March.

Consulate General Ramps Up Autism Awareness Campaign Among Filcoms in Connecticut, New
York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, & Massachusetts

Consul Felipe Carino III led a delegation from
the Consulate General to join 170 Filipinos from
community organizations in Connecticut, New York,
New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts during
the first gala night of Kids Philippines Inc.– a
community-based project based in Connecticut that
provides financial aid, and school supplies and
scholarship assistance to deserving but
underprivileged Filipino children in the Philippines –
held at Great Neck Country Club, Connecticut on 28
January 2017.

Ms. In his remarks, Consul Carino congratulated (L-R) Consul Felipe Carino III (6th from left) joins Ms. Cherry Smyth (3rd from right), founder
Cherry Smyth, a FilAm who is the founder and and Chair of Kids Philippines, during the Gala event where sponsors and supporters of Kids

Chair of Kids Philippines Inc., for organizing initiatives Philippines Inc. were recognized for their contribution that directly benefits impoverished
and humanitarian aid missions that benefit school children in the Philippines.
impoverished children in the Philippines and for

supporting the Consulate General’s initiative to raise awareness for children with autism or who fall in the autism spectrum on

the occasion of Autism Consciousness Week in February.

Last December, the Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega launched Fashion Arts for Autism Benefit, in
cooperation with Autism Hearts Foundation, which seeks to raise awareness of autism in the Philippines through a series of
activities in New York that includes a Fashion Show at the Consulate General and an art exhibit at the United Nations later this
year featuring pinya shawls decorated by children with autism.