NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst partnered with MetroPlus Health to hold a special Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Friday, Oct. 4.
Queens residents gathered for a lively celebration of Hispanic heritage. The event honored Latin American culture and contributions, featured live music, traditional dance performances, and local food vendors offering authentic Latin cuisine.
MetroPlus Health provided free wellness checks and shared information about healthcare services, emphasizing the importance of community health and well-being.
The event, held in a celebration tent inside the Elmhurst Hospital’s parking garage, was meant to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Attendees enjoyed the food, music and other entertainment at this celebration.
“These events are special because not only do we serve a diverse community, but our staffing are also diverse,” NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Chief Operating Officer Milenko Milinic said. “Any opportunity that we get to enjoy the cultures of our staff and community, we jump at that opportunity.”
New York City Criminal Court Judge Edwin Novillo served as the keynote speaker for this event. He discussed his own upbringing within a Hispanic household and how his parents’ hard work helped shape him to become the man he is today.
“I grew up the son of a father who was a waiter for various restaurants throughout the city,” Judge Novillo said. “The son of a mother who was a factory worker at the garment district. Their tireless work instilled in me a profound appreciation for the opportunity that our community offers us. It taught me hard work and resilience, and most importantly, the necessity of giving back to a community that nourishes us. Before becoming a judge, I spent 15 years as a public defender.”
During the event, Judge Novillo was also presented with a Proclamation by Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, as well as a City Council Citation by Council Member Francisco Moya.
Judge Novillo also discussed the theme of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration: Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.”
“It resonates deeply with me. It highlights the transformative power of community,” Judge Novillo said. “As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, this is also an opportunity for all cultures to celebrate one another. When we come together as a community, we uplift each other. What does being a pioneer mean? A pioneer channels the status quo and pushes for progress. During the pandemic, you all became pioneers, stepping into the unknown. Your actions didn’t just save lives, they inspired a community to unite and support one another.”
NYPD Detective Jessica Nugent and MetroPlus Health Senior Manager of Brand Partnerships and Experiential Marketing Gabriela Mayorga were also honored at the event with Certificates of Appreciation by Elmhurst Hospital for the work they have done for the Elmhurst community.
The celebration highlighted the rich diversity of Elmhurst’s Hispanic population and fostered a sense of cultural pride and unity among attendees.
The day’s festivities brought the community together in a joyful celebration of heritage, health, and togetherness.
