Apicha Community Health Center Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony In Jackson Heights

Apicha Community Health Center has officially opened a new clinic in Jackson Heights, Queens, to better provide healthcare services to those considered an underserved community, including the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and Black & Indigenous people of color. The organization has been serving the New York City community for over 30 years, and the new clinic is a significant milestone in its commitment to providing equitable healthcare and support services to those who need it most.

Jackson Heights Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 

Joined by equally compassionate advocates for accessible healthcare, Apicha celebrated the opening of its new clinic with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 26th. The ceremony was attended by a large crowd of community leaders and politicians. Presented were remarks from Apicha CEO Therese R. Rodriguez, along with a handful of other partnered attendees. The complete list of speakers is as follows: 

• Therese R. Rodriguez, Apicha CEO
• Lou Madigan, Apicha Board Chair 
• Shekar Krishnan, NYC City Council Member, District 25 (Jackson Heights & Elmhurst)
• Kajori Chaudhuri, Deputy Commissioner, New York City Commission on Human Rights 
• Tina Kim, Deputy Director, New York State Office of Health Equity and Human Rights 
• Joseph Kerwin, Director, New York State AIDS Institute 
• Louise Cohen, CEO, Primary Care Development Corporation 
• Mikko Baylosis, Project Manager, New York City Economic Development Corporation 
• Ebony Young, Deputy Queens Borough President 
• Clarece Collins, Community Liaison for State Assembly Member Juan Ardila 
• Melina Grisales, Deputy Chief of Staff for State Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas 
• John Bahia, a representative for State Assembly Member Steven Raga 
• Ashley Lin, a representative for State Senator John Liu 
• Perla Liberato, Deputy District Director for State Senator Ramos
  
  

Following the ceremony, all guests were warmly invited to tour the clinic’s facilities. In total, Apicha has a presence on 3 floors: the 5th floor, the 4th floor, and the basement level, which serves as a fully furnished community space for hosting events. The 5th floor is where the adult and pediatric primary care clinics are located, and the 4th floor is reserved entirely for dentistry services. The new clinic is located at 82-11 37th Avenue, within Heritage Tower, in the heart of Jackson Heights, a diverse neighborhood with a large LGBTQ+ presence. The clinic is wheelchair accessible and is close to subway stops on the 7, F, E, M, and R lines. 

As Apicha evolves to serve the changing needs of its patients, the clinic is able to provide care to individuals with or without insurance, including partial coverage, as well as same-day and walk-in appointments. Encouragement from local politicians and community leaders has led to Apicha’s ability to expand and serve more communities and their kind words have been nothing short of that. 

“As someone who spent about fifteen years of my life in the reproductive justice movement, I’m a firm believer that healthcare is a human right. Apicha Community Health Center embodies this same value and belief, and that is why I congratulate you on this momentous occasion. APICHA is a vital resource in our community where access to quality and culturally competent care has been critical for our vibrant Asian American and Pacific Islander and LGBT communities in Jackson Heights. I want to congratulate APICHA’s leadership, including CEO Therese R. Rodriguez, the board of directors, and staff on this ribbon-cutting ceremony, and look forward to supporting you and working alongside you all,” 

-Melina Grisales, Deputy Chief of Staff for State Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas 

 

"I extend my warmest congratulations to Apicha on opening this new facility, which reflects their dedication to providing essential health services and support to vulnerable communities in Assembly District 30 and throughout New York City. Congratulations to Apicha on this milestone achievement, and we eagerly anticipate the great work they will continue to do for our community." 

-John Bahia, a representative for State Assembly Member Steven Raga 

 

“The Primary Care Development Corporation is proud to have supported APICHA for almost a decade to help finance their community health facilities in Manhattan and now in Jackson Heights, Queens.  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.  Apicha CHC's new beautiful site, and their multi-cultural and multi-lingual staff, are a model of what primary care can, and should, be.” 

- Louise Cohen, CEO, Primary Care Development Corporation 

 

“The new health center in Jackson Heights supports APICHA’s untiring commitment to bringing health care and supportive services to diverse communities. As a health care provider embodying the values of inclusivity and the delivery of culturally competent care the long-term positive impact of APICHA’s presence in the Queens community can hardly be underestimated.  The mission and vision of this forward-thinking organization remind us that epidemics can only truly end when no population or group is left behind.” 

- Joseph Kerwin, Director, New York State AIDS Institute 

About Apicha  

Apicha Community Health Center, a non-profit healthcare organization based in New York City, is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare services to underserved communities. Established in 1989, Apicha initially focused on delivering culturally competent and linguistically accessible care to Asian and Pacific Islander individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Over time, their mission expanded to encompass a broader range of communities in need.

Apicha offers a diverse range of healthcare services at their Manhattan clinic. These services include primary care, behavioral health evaluations, transgender healthcare, pharmaceutical treatment plans, and various forms of support assistance. To further extend their reach, they opened a new location in Jackson Heights. This clinic offers additional services such as dentistry, pediatrics, and mental health support assistance.

The dedicated staff at Apicha includes medical providers, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals who are passionate about delivering compassionate and culturally competent care. They strive to address the unique needs of each patient and ensure their well-being.

In addition to medical and dental care, Apicha provides HIV/STI testing and treatment, behavioral health services, and transgender health services. They also emphasize health education, case management, and support services to holistically improve patient health and overall well-being.

Apicha Community Health Center's commitment to health equity and social justice is reflected in its pursuit of providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare services. They continually work towards promoting the overall health and empowerment of individuals and communities in need.

By offering a wide range of services, Apicha fulfills its mission of addressing healthcare disparities and ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or circumstances, can access the care they deserve.