The Fidelis Care Blog

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time of reflection, celebration, and unity. For me, it is deeply personal, a reminder of the strength, resilience, and cultural pride that defines our community. It is also a call to action to honor our heritage not only with words, but through efforts that uplift the health and well-being of Hispanic families across New York and beyond.

To promote community health and wellness and the importance of staying connected with friends and neighbors, Fidelis Care has announced dates for its annual Unity street festival series. Beginning with the original “Unity in the Heights” event in 2011, the series has expanded across the state with a variety of local partners.

As a first-generation immigrant from China, I have lived in the beautiful United States for 24 years. For 18 of those years, my stethoscope has touched the heartbeat of New York City where nearly 15 percent of its population is of Asian heritage.

The Asian American Cultural Alliance, Inc. (AACA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural exchange, uplifting immigrant voices, and building bridges through community engagement. I launched AACA alongside two co-founders: Yang Qu, who leads our efforts in mental health awareness, and Yi Li, a dance studio owner who brought creative energy to the organization’s early vision. Together, we created a space where cultural heritage and community well-being are inextricably linked.

National Nurses Week, May 6 through 12, is a time to recognize the compassion and dedication provided by these healthcare professionals every day. In observance of the week, we checked in with Fidelis Care nurses Shay Dege, Matthew Garbutt, Kelsey Maslowski, Sherry MacQueen, and Dawn Pankey on why they chose the profession and what it means to them.