Courtesy of Elmhurst Hospital
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | FEB. 11 - FEB. 17, 2022 9
BY BILL PARRY
Nearly two years after
it was overwhelmed by the
initial wave of the COVID-19
pandemic, Elmhurst Hospital
partnered with Metro-
PlusHealth to celebrate the
Lunar New Year on Friday,
Feb. 4.
NYC Health + Hospitals/
Elmhurst rang in the Year of
the Tiger with a colorful performance
of the lion dance
in the hospital’s auditorium,
as a balloon artist fashioned
balloons into the shapes of
tigers. Staff handed out red
envelopes, or “hongbao” in
Mandarin and “lai se” in
Cantonese, for good luck. In
Chinese culture, red is associated
with happiness, energy
and good fortune, and
the red envelope itself is considered
lucky.
“Following two difficult
years featuring a devastating
public health crisis and a
wave of anti-Asian prejudice,
the Asian Lunar New Year
even at New York City Health
+ Hospitals/Elmhurst will be
a jubilant celebration of the
Year of the Tiger and Queens’
proud Asian American community,”
Queens Borough
President Donovan Richards
said. “After everything, our
heroic health care workers
have been through during
the COVID-19 pandemic; it
is great that they will get to
celebrate the Asian Lunar
New Year during this joyous
event.”
The 545-bed city hospital
serves a largely workingclass
immigrant population
that became known as the
“epicenter of the epicenter”
as the pandemic spread rapidly
through Corona, Jackson
Heights and Elmhurst.
“We hope the ‘Year of the
Tiger’ proves to be a time of
renewed health and strength
as we begin to overcome the
COVID-19 pandemic and
move forward toward an
optimistic and prosperous
future,” said Helen Arteaga
Landaverde, MPH, CEO of
NYC Health + Hospitals/
Elmhurst.
Councilman Shekar
Krishnan, who represents
Jackson Heights and Elmhurst,
shared warm wishes
for those who celebrate.
“I send my warmest wishes
to everyone celebrating
this Lunar New Year, the
start of the Year of the Tiger,
across Elmhurst, Jackson
Heights and the entire city,”
Krishnan said. “The Tiger,
brave, strong and confident,
is the perfect symbol of our
Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese
and other Asian communities
in New York City, as
well as the frontline workers
of Elmhurst Hospital. I wish
you and your families happiness,
good health and good
fortune.”
Queens District Attorney
Melinda Katz said the Lunar
New Year celebration marks
a hopeful season of renewal,
transformation and opportunity
for Asian American
families across Queens.
“As we collectively overcome
the challenges of a
pandemic recovery, I join
Elmhurst Hospital in honoring
the vibrancy of the AAPI
community’s new year’s traditions,”
Katz said. “May the
Year of the Tiger bring peace,
success and good health to
all celebrating.”
Congresswoman Grace
Meng sent her warm wishes
to all those celebrating Lunar
New Year at Elmhurst Hospital,
and across the borough.
“In Congress, I am continuing
to sponsor legislation
that seeks to recognize
the cultural and historical
significance of the holiday,
and I will also be introducing
another new bill for Lunar
New Year soon,” Meng said.
“I’m proud to have fought
for the creation of the Lunar
New Year school holiday here
in New York City. May you
find good fortune, prosperity
and success in the year
ahead. Thank you, Elmhurst
Hospital, for the outstanding
work that your team continues
to do each and every day
for our communities.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry
by e-mail at bparry@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at
(718) 260–4538.
Elmhurst Hospital and MetroPlusHealth
team up for Lunar New Year celebration
Healthy Smile
Tips for Your
Child
Brush your teeth twice a day
with a fluoride toothpaste.
Clean between your teeth
daily.
Eat a healthy diet that limits
sugary beverages and snacks.
See your dentist regularly
for prevention and treatment
of oral disease.
Source: American Dental Association
Contact Information:
PHDental.com | 855-743-2273
Astoria | Howard Beach | Huntington
Lake Success | Long Island City | Oceanside
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