New York, NY: NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue today hosted an Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration titled “Power in Unity,” bringing together healthcare leaders, elected officials, frontline staff, and community partners to recognize the histories, cultures, and contributions of AANHPI communities across New York City and within healthcare.
“We are proud to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Bellevue Hospital and to recognize the many contributions of AANHPI communities to our hospital and our city,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Chief Executive Officer Eric Wei, MD, MBA, the first Asian American to lead America’s oldest hospital. “The theme ‘Power in Unity’ reflects how we deliver care every day by working across disciplines, cultures, and communities to ensure that every patient is treated with dignity and respect.”
Panelists New York Council Member Linda Lee, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Marie Estelle Lejarde, and Chief of Adult Psychiatry Dr. Bipin Subedi reflected on their own personal histories
Dr. Wei led a panel discussion featuring New York Council Member Linda Lee, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Marie Estelle Lejarde, and Chief of Adult Psychiatry Dr. Bipin Subedi. New York City Council Member Virginia Maloney joined the event to offer welcoming remarks. “As we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month, we recognize the growing presence of our AANHPI community and the importance of the ‘Power in Unity’ across healthcare and government,” said New York City Council Member Linda Lee, Chair of the Committee on Finance. “As one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in our city, the AANHPI community must be reflected in our city’s budget and service delivery. This ensures individuals receive linguistically accessible and culturally competent support in healthcare, mental health, and other essential services. Today’s panel highlighted both the progress we’ve made and the work that remains, and I am grateful to Bellevue Hospital and its team for their continued commitment to serving our city.”
The Jiani Zhou Jazz Ensemble performed at Bellevue Hospital’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration
“Bellevue Hospital and the NYC Health + Hospitals system show what public healthcare looks like in New York City, serving every community, across languages and backgrounds,” said New York City Council Member Virginia Maloney. “During AANHPI Heritage Month, this event highlights what equitable care requires: trust, cultural competency, and strong connections between providers and the communities they serve. As one of the largest public hospitals in the city, serving more than 150,000 patients each year, Bellevue Hospital is a critical access point for immigrant and AANHPI communities, and continued investment is essential to ensuring every New Yorker can navigate care with dignity and confidence.”
Panelists reflected on the importance of trust, representation, and partnership in advancing health equity for AANHPI communities, particularly for immigrant and multilingual populations.
“Across AANHPI communities, the need for mental health care is real, but access remains a challenge,” said Dr. Bipin Subedi, Chief of Adult Psychiatry at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “Building trust means delivering care that is consistent, culturally responsive, and coordinated—so patients can truly engage with the system.”
“My journey from the Philippines to NYC Health + Hospitals has shown me that no one succeeds alone,” said Marie Estelle Lejarde, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “Power in Unity is not just a theme, it’s how we care for our patients every day. As nurses, our greatest strength is how we come together to serve with dignity, compassion, and respect across all cultures and communities.”
NYC Council Member Linda Lee with Ashley Liang, who performed a traditional Chinese Dunhuang dance at Bellevue Hospital’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration
Throughout the discussion, speakers emphasized the need for stronger partnerships between hospitals, government, and community organizations to address disparities and expand access to care. As the nation’s oldest public hospital, Bellevue Hospital serves a diverse patient population from all five boroughs, providing high quality, compassionate care regardless of immigration or insurance status. The AANHPI Heritage Month celebration reflects Bellevue Hospital’s ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion, and community engagement. The program included live performances by the Jiani Zhou Jazz Ensemble, as well as a traditional Chinese Dunhuang dance performance by Ashley Liang, celebrating the richness and diversity of AANHPI cultural traditions. The performers also received special certificates of appreciation from the office of New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez and Bellevue Hospital. “Events like this remind us that healthcare does not happen in isolation,” said Dr. Wei. “It is shaped by the communities we serve and strengthened through collaboration with our partners across the city.”
The event welcomed more than 100 attendees, including frontline healthcare providers, hospital staff, patients, and community partners, and reinforced the shared commitment to advancing dignity, access to care, and opportunity for all New Yorkers.
(All photos courtesy: NYC Health+Hospitals)
