Community Health Center Hires Bengali-Speaking Medical Providers, Bringing Award-winning Care to New York's Bengali-speaking Community

The Charles B. Wang Community Health Center (CBWCHC) is expanding its reach to meet the health care needs of New York's Bengali-speaking community with internal medicine, pediatric, OB/GYN, dental, and mental health services across its six locations in lower Manhattan and Flushing, Queens.

Building on its heritage of successfully caring for underserved Asian Americans, CBWCHC has recently welcomed health care professionals who speak Bengali, reflecting its dedication to serving diverse communities.

“The Asian American community is practically as diverse as New York itself,” said Kaushal Challa, CEO of the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center. “We take pride in providing the absolute highest standard of care, regardless of a patient’s immigration history, the language they speak, or their ability to pay.”

Recognizing the importance of language and cultural communication in health care, CBWCHC has welcomed professionals like Dr. Mahbub Chowdhury, a Bangladesh-born pediatrician fluent in English, Bengali, and Hindi.

“It always helps to have a doctor who speaks your language and understands where you're coming from,” said Dr. Chowdhury, who joined the Health Center in 2023. “It's important for me and my colleagues to connect with our patients so they know we're here to provide excellent care for them and their families.”

Along with medical providers, the Health Center has bolstered its team with Bengali-speaking Community Outreach Associates, Care Team Associates, Navigators, and Care Management Specialists, ensuring comprehensive support for patients throughout their experience.

Part of serving diverse communities means tailoring care to meet the specific needs of those communities, said Challa. Reflecting that focus, CBWCHC was the only health center in New York state, and one of just six in the United States, to earn the federal Health Resource & Services Administration’s (HRSA) gold badge as a National Quality Leader for Diabetes Health.

“This recognition underscores the way our providers and care teams are dedicated to empowering patients,” said Challa. “We are with our patients every step of the way, helping them with a combination of medication and sustained healthy lifestyle adjustments.”

CBWCHC has launched a dedicated Bengali and English language phone line, 718-587-1121, as a convenient way for Bengali-speaking people to make appointments and get further information about the Health Center’s services. Community members can also search specifically for Bengali-speaking doctors on the Health Center’s website, www.cbwchc.org.

About the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center

For more than 50 years, the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center (CBWCHC) has been a leading health care provider dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable health care to underserved communities in Manhattan and Queens, with a focus on Asian Americans. Open seven days a week, CBWCHC accepts most major health insurance plans and offers comprehensive primary care services to children and adults at six locations in Manhattan and Queens. CBWCHC’s legacy of excellence is nationally recognized with its commitment to ensure equitable access to health care for all, regardless of ability to pay, language spoken, or immigration history. For more information, visit www.cbwchc.org.