CBWCHC Highlights its Health Education Team

During National Health Education Week (October 16-20, 2023), the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, is proud to spotlight the Health Education team. They provide one-on-one education, group workshops, health education materials, cultural adaptation, and translation services to support patient care and community outreach with a focus on disease prevention and health behavior changes. They recently opened a Community Health Resource Center (CHRC) with a mission to build healthier communities with the information that people can trust. It is a dedicated community health education space where people can access resources, receive health screenings, and talk to health educators and other healthcare professionals.

Kaushal Challa, CEO of the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, shares, “The Health Education team, led by Dr. Yajie Zhu, continues a rich legacy initiated 50 years ago by dedicated volunteer health professionals and educators. Their inception of a community health fair in the heart of Chinatown addressed health disparities and disseminated vital health resources in a historically underserved community.  Today the Health Education team continues to cultivate healthier and more informed communities.”

CBWCHC spoke to Yajie Zhu, the Director of the Health Education, about her team’s important role within the Health Center and the community.

CBWCHC: What is your favorite part about working within the Health Education department?

Yajie: The collaborative and supportive environment and the chance to truly give back to our community are all aspects that I enjoy about being a part of the Health Education team. We get to work with all the Health Center’s clinical teams and program staff then relay the much-needed health information that can help patients and community members to take actions to achieve better health.

CBWCHC: What are the goals you have for the Health Education team?

Yajie: As the Health Center is expanding, our goal is to broaden the scope of our health education services to meet the needs of diverse population and to empower each person to make the best-informed decisions about their overall health, from disease prevention to health care access.

CBWCHC: What’s one thing about your department that you’d like people to know?

Yajie: I’d like to let people know that the Community Health Resource Center (CHRC) is open to everyone. Since we recently opened the CHRC in Lower Manhattan, my hope is that more community members visit our new space. It is located at the 3M (4^th) floor at 168 Centre Street New York, NY 10013 and open to the public Monday – Friday 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. We provide community members with free health resources, education programs, access to certified health educators, basic health screenings, and vaccines.

CBWCHC:  What do you like most about working for the Health Center?

Yajie: What I like most about working with the Health Education team is our unwavering commitment to making a real and positive impact on the health and well-being of our diverse community. Every day, I am inspired by the dedication and passion of our team members who go above and beyond to deliver vital health education programs and services to those who need it the most. Our work here is not just a job; it’s a calling, and being part of this supportive team gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.