Access to community health is crucial and ensures that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can receive essential care. To help foster a healthier and more equitable community, the NJ State AAPI Chapter (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) recently pledged $100,000 to support the South Asian Community Health Initiative (SACHI) program at JFK University Medical Center. 

Recognizing the health disparities in the South Asian community, Kishore Ratkalkar, M.D., in partnership with JFK University Medical Center, developed SACHI to help identify prevalent health issues and to offer culturally appropriate care.

"I would like to thank our NJ State AAPI leaders Dr. Binod Sinha, founder and chairman, Dr. Atul Prakash, president and Dr. Raj Bhayani, founder and convention chair, for supporting NJ State AAPI's $100,000 investment in the SACHI program,” says Dr. Ratkalkar, fellow founder and trustee. “I would also like to thank Sheri Marino, executive director at JFK University Medical Center Foundation and Amie Thornton, president and chief hospital executive at JFK University Medical Center, for their ongoing support and commitment to the South Asian community."

Middlesex County has the largest Asian population in the State of New Jersey with nearly 240,000 residents. SACHI enables JFK University Medical Center to address the unique health challenges and ensure these residents have access to quality care, culturally appropriate medical support and resources right within their community.

“NJ State AAPI is happy to support the SACHI program at JFK University Medical Center,” says Dr. Prakash. “This will allow us to bridge the gaps that exist in health care, especially for those in the South Asian population. On behalf of NJ State AAPI, we thank Dr. Ratkalkar for inspiring this much-needed program at JFK, and Dr. Sinha and Dr. Bhayani for their support of this important initiative. We are truly grateful!”

We thank Dr. Ratkalkar, Dr. Sinha, Dr. Bhayani, Dr. Prakash and his team at NJ State APPI for this generous show of support! To learn more about how you can support SACHI at JFK University Medical Center, contact Sheri Marino, executive director at JFK University Medical Center Foundation, at sheri.marino@hmhn.org or make a gift today at GiveHMH.org/JFKUMC.