NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens Hosts Community Health Fair as Centerpiece of Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations

NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens Hosts Community Health Fair as Centerpiece of Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations

Event connects hundreds of residents with vital health resources and clinical screenings under the theme "Unidos, Somos Más"

Oct 05, 2026

NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens hosted a comprehensive Community Health Fair on September 30, serving as the primary event in the hospital's month-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.Sponsored by MetroPlusHealth, the event transformed the hospital Atrium into a vital resource hub, connecting hundreds of local residents, patients, and staff with essential health services and education. Hispanic and Latino populations face higher risks for certain conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and some forms of cancer. The fair provided a critical platform to share preventative strategies and tools for long-term wellness with all attendees, balancing the serious mission of education with a spirit of community connection. Attendees received specialized information from hospital teams including Stroke Initiative, Virology, Adult and Child/Adolescent Behavioral Health, Addiction Services, Ambulatory Care, and Social Work. These experts worked alongside partners such as the FDNY, NYC Commission on Human Rights, Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens, CIANA, and The Lighthouse Mission to provide a holistic approach to community wellness. In addition, staff from Queens Hospital and Rising Ground: Jamaica Community Partnership worked together to assemble over 100 bags of fresh produce and groceries for local families as part of the Hispanic Heritage Month health fair outreach. The fair was organized by the hospital's Hispanic Heritage Committee, a dedicated group of employee volunteers.

"This health fair reflects our commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need-an essential aspect of our mission," said Neil Moore, MBA, MPA, FACHE, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. "At Queens, we are a true community hospital. Our team members come from the neighborhoods we serve, speak the languages of our patients, and understand the cultural nuances that shape their healthcare experiences. This connection is not just about representation; it is about providing a healthcare home away from home. When we care for our patients, we are caring for our family members, friends, and neighbors."

Dr. Johanny Garcia, Chief of Ambulatory Care at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, emphasized the clinical impact of the day's outreach. "Providing direct access to screenings and health education is critical in empowering all our patients to take charge of their long-term wellness," said Dr. Garcia. "It was inspiring to see such a strong turnout from the community at large. This health fair serves as a vital bridge to the specialized care we provide every day, ensuring that every resident has the information they need to live a healthier life."

The health fair is the anchor of a full slate of activities designed by the Hispanic Heritage Committee to celebrate the "Unidos, Somos Más" (Together, We Are More) theme. Earlier in the month, the hospital held a Kickoff Celebration on September 23, featuring cultural programming and a lively Latin dance routine. To ensure the entire workforce was included, the hospital also hosted "Café con Pan" on September 25, a dedicated night-shift engagement event featuring traditional coffee, dominoes, and cultural activities.

The hospital's Hispanic Heritage Month programming continues through October:

October 8: The "From the Ground Up" Latino Leadership Conversation Series, a panel discussion featuring leaders from healthcare, public safety, and public health sharing their professional journeys.

October 15: A closing film screening of the PBS documentary "Latinos of NY/NJ," followed by a moderated discussion in the hospital auditorium.

For more information on the full range of specialty services offered at the hospital - including emergency care, cancer services, and specialty medicine - visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/queens.

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Media Contact: Cleon Edwards, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, (646) 772-5725

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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens
A member of NYC Health and Hospitals, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens is a major health care provider in the borough of Queens. Its foremost mission is to provide quality, comprehensive care to all members of the public regardless of their ability to pay. In 2025, Queens Hospital marked its 90th anniversary of serving the communities of central and southeastern Queens, having first opened its doors as Queens General Hospital in 1935. Encompassing 360,000 square feet, it comprises 253 licensed beds, spacious ambulatory care suites featuring both primary and specialty services, and cutting-edge equipment. It also houses four Centers of Excellence: Cancer Care, Diabetes Management, Women's Health, and Behavioral Health. The hospital has recently added a fully expanded Emergency Room, a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence accredited by the American College of Radiology, and a Total Hip and Knee Replacement Center, with plans underway to build the health system's first Dialysis Center to train patients to perform their own at-home dialysis. To learn more about NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/queens.

About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city's five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system's trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth-all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.