Filipina-led Apicha Health Center opens second facility in New York

CEO Therese Rodriguez (in green suit) leads ribbon cutting ceremony to open Apicha CHC’s second health center in Jackson Heights, Queens: ‘We will serve anyone.’ CONTRIBUTED

JACKSON HEIGHTS, Queens, NY — Apicha Community Health Center (CHC) opened its second New York City location, at 82-11 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, Queens, with political leaders, funders and community partners attending the ribbon-cutting last April 26.

Therese Rodriguez, longtime Apicha CEO said that for years the center had a dream of opening up a facility in Jackson Heights for more than 50,000 underserved residents, a vision she said was shared by Daniel Dromm, who was then a New York city council member.

That dream has come true, she said, a testament to Apicha CHC’s commitment to providing quality healthcare that is accessible, inclusive and culturally competent

“We will serve anyone who comes to our door regardless of immigration status.  We will serve anyone who has little or no insurance.  We will take care of mothers to be, children, young adults, and adults,” Rodriguez declared.

“Our social workers, case managers, community health educators will help you through mental health issues, access to food and other social services.  Everyone is respected.  We not only take care of the poor but also those who face forms of discrimination. We too heal the spirit and the soul,” Rodriguez added.

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Apicha CHC has over 30 years of experience providing care to diverse groups of Asian and Pacific Islanders and other immigrants, making it well-equipped to serve the needs of the Jackson Heights community.

The Jackson Heights community is known for its diverse population, with a rich tapestry of South and East Asian ethnicities, as well as diverse Latino populations.

The new clinic will help close the gap in healthcare access in Jackson Heights and its surrounding neighborhoods, by providing comprehensive services including pediatrics and dental care.

Apache Community Health Center CEO Therese Rodriguez. WEBSITE

The Primary Care Development Corporation said it is proud to have supported Apicha for almost a decade, helping finance its community health facilities in Manhattan, and now in Jackson Heights, Queens.

“Apicha’s new beautiful site, and their multi-cultural and multi-lingual staff, are a model of what primary care can, and should be,” said Chief Executive Officer Louise Cohen, MPH.

“Our mission is to provide financing for communities and organizations that have historically been denied capital, to support the expansion of high-quality, affordable, and culturally appropriate primary care and behavioral health that is fundamental to building healthy communities,” Cohen added.

Joseph Kerwin, director of the AIDS Institute of the NYS Department of Health, said “The mission and vision of this forward thinking organization reminds us that epidemics can only truly end when no population or group is left behind.”

New York State Assembly Member Steven Raga congratulated APICHA “on this milestone achievement, and we eagerly anticipate the great work they will continue to do for our community.”

The new health center was made possible through major funding from the New York State Department of Health’s Capital Restructuring Financing Program, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Primary Care Development Corporation, and the Henry van Ameringen Foundation.

For more information about Apicha and its services, visit www.apicha.org.