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Date: March 27, 2009
Contact: Jennifer Forbes
Communications & Public Affairs
Phone:732-235-6356
Email: jenn.forbes@umdnj.edu
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Launches the South Asian Total Health Initiative (SATHI)
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) announced the formation of a new program that brings together many of New Jersey’s South Asian community leaders in an effort to research and eliminate health care disparities. A networking event was held on Thursday, March 26, 2009, to launch the South Asian Total Health Initiative (SATHI). The event is the first step in establishing a centralized location for research on the health of South Asians in the state and to enhance the delivery of culturally-competent health care services to the community.
SATHI will collect research-based data on factors that influence healthcare decisions affecting people of South Asian origin, including family dynamics, patients’ health beliefs and socioeconomic concerns. In addition to research, SATHI will seek to educate, engage and empower the South Asian community to promote wellness and improve health outcomes. To accomplish this, patient care projects will include a community resource center for outreach programs and networking opportunities to link appropriate health care professionals and organizations with each other.
The program has been developed under the leadership of Dr. Sunanda Gaur, professor of pediatrics and Dr. Naveen Mehrotra, associate clinical professor of pediatrics. It also is being developed in collaboration with Dr. Robert C. Like, professor and director of the Center for Healthy Families and Cultural Diversity in the Department of Family Medicine which is dedicated to leadership, advocacy, and excellence in promoting culturally-responsive, quality health care for diverse populations. Other members of SATHI’s advisory board include: Dr. Poonam Alaigh, Dr. Geetha Ghai, Ms. Jigna Rao, and State Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula.
The SATHI launch event was held at March 26, 2009, in the Arline and Henry Schwartzman Courtyard at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. It featured prominent members of the South Asian community, as well as distinguished guests including Heather Howard, commissioner of health and human services for New Jersey, Assemblyman Chivukula, who is Deputy Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, Kris Kolluri, CEO, NJ Schools Development Authority and the first Indian-American cabinet member in New Jersey, and Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley, a member of the Assembly Health and Senior Services committee. The evening also included a classical dance and music performance from the South Asian community. For further information, the SATHI program can be contacted at (732) 235-8504, gaursu@umdnj.edu or nmehrotra@pol.net.
