Group to Honor Holy Name Korean Medical Program

The Korean Medical Program at Holy Name Medical Center is set to be honored for improving the quality of life and health of thousands of Korean Americans in the New York City-area, the hospital said in a news release.

Project Literacy, which is honoring the Teaneck hospital’s health care program at its gala, pointed to the similar goals of the two organizations.

“Both groups have a goal of helping those who are new to our country and those who have little or no income learn how best to become healthy and productive members of society,” Scott Reddin, executive director of Project Literacy of Greater Bergen County, said in the news release.

Holy Name’s program works to provide culturally-sensitive medical care to the Korean community. The program offers satellite locations in Englewood Cliffs and Closter.

“Korean-speaking patients and visitors at Holy Name are greeted in the lobby by Korean-speaking customer service representatives, patients are offered warm fluids instead of ice water and new mothers served seaweed soup, in keeping with their cultural traditions, and Korean-speaking drivers are available to transport elderly patients,” according to the medical center.

While Holy Name focused medical treatment, Project Literacy helps native-born and immigrant adults improve reading and writing skills.

“Not only does the individual benefit when they improve their skills, but society as a whole does, as well,” Reddin said. “Illiteracy adds billions of dollars in increased costs from job training to unemployment benefits to the cost of health care.”

The gala is scheduled for Nov. 16 at View on the Hudson, Piermont, NY.

For gala tickets or sponsorship information, call Project Literacy at 201-489-7066.