Healthfirst and Elmhurst Hospital Center Co-Host Cinco De Mayo Street Fair

Contact:
Laura Vialva
212-801-1451
718-764-3517 (mobile)
Lvialva@healthfirst.org

QUEENS, NY,May 4, 2012 – Healthfirst and Elmhurst Hospital Center co-host the Cinco de Mayo Street Fair at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens today from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.

Community residents are invited to bring their families and celebrate the Cinco de Mayo festivities featuring a live mariachi band, face painting for kids, the Sarah Ortiz Trio (a local singing group) and giveaways (while supplies last). A special Community Service Award presentation will be made to honoree, Lucy García, PhD, Director of Elmhurst Senior Center and the Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly.

“Healthfirst is delighted to join Elmhurst for a third year in this annual festival bringing together Queens residents for a day of fun and healthy activities,” said George Hulse, Healthfirst Vice President of External Affairs. “We are honored to bring communities together to experience this cultural celebration in recognition of Cinco de Mayo.”

We are honored to once again co-host this year’s Cinco de Mayo festivities,” said Elmhurst Hospital Center Executive Director, Chris Constantino.  “At EHC, we serve one of the most ethnically diverse communities in the world, and Cinco de Mayo is a fun and exciting way to showcase that diversity.”

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the French-Mexican War. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.

Location:    Elmhurst Hospital
                   79-01 Broadway
                   Elmhurst, NY 11373

Time:          12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

About Healthfirst
Established in 1993, Healthfirst is a not-for-profit managed care organization that offers low or no-cost health insurance to eligible individuals and families living in the New York metropolitan area and New Jersey. It provides a variety of government-sponsored health insurance programs, including New York State's Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, and Medicaid, as well as Medicare Advantage. The Healthfirst family of companies includes Healthfirst in New York, Healthfirst NJ in New Jersey, and Senior Health Partners (SHP), a managed long term care plan serving Medicaid-eligible clients in New York City. For more information, visit the company's websites at www.healthfirst.org and www.healthfirstnj.org.

About Elmhurst Hospital Center
Elmhurst Hospital Center, a 545-bed community hospital located in the heart of Queens, has a long history of delivering first-rate, comprehensive and compassionate healthcare services. As a Level I Trauma Center and a leader in Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Preventative Care, and Emergency Medicine, EHC is on the front lines of providing medical care to people of all backgrounds and income levels. Ensuring access to high-quality, affordable health care is our top priority.