No. 44 | December 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025 | |
THE JAISOHN CENTER (Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Asian Americans within the Greater Philadelphia Region.
Dr. Philip Jaisohn was a pioneer in Asian American activism as an advocate for Korean independence and a volunteer physician for the U.S. Military. In honor of his legacy, the Jaisohn Center strives to champion Asian-American causes and strengthen communities through a wide range of health and human services.
We’re excited to keep you updated on our Center’s mission to elevate Asian American communities and foster unity amongst all communities. Check out this newsletter to see what work we’ve accomplished with the help of your continued support.
Thank you for joining our cause!
| | 2025 Internships and Scholarships | | |
We are now accepting applications for the 2025 Jaisohn Student Internship and Scholarship Program. The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation (PJMF) is pleased to offer internships and scholarships for college and graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and service to their schools and communities.
Visit our website https://jaisohn.org/scholarships/ for more information.
| | January 15, 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation. Our foundation has served the Korean immigrant community and larger AAPI and other underserved communities in the greater Philadelphia area for 50 years through a broad range of medical and health care, home care, senior employment training, social services, advocacy & leadership development, and cultural programs for the enrichment of the community. To celebrate this milestone, Board Founding Member Dr. Henry Oh, Board Officer COB Brian Lee, President George Choe, Secretary John Han, and several senior Jaisohn staff members held a press interview at the Jaisohn Community Wellness Plaza. We discussed how this organization was started to support the newly immigrated Korean community starting from 1975 and it is now expanding to serve all AAPI and underserved communities. | | The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation is pleased to announce that we received a grant from the Korean American Community Foundation. This grant will support our efforts to fight the stigma against mental health through campaigns and workshops as well as build intergenerational relationships between the seniors and youth in our community. | | JAISOHN DEPARTMENT UPDATES | | |
The Medical Center partnered with Einstein Elkins Park Radiology and Jefferson Lansdale Hospital Radiology to hold two group routine/preventive mammogram and DEXA scans in February. Maintaining a schedule for breast cancer screening is essential to ensure that proper care is provided before breast cancer advances. Additionally, DEXA scans measure bone density to diagnose specific conditions, such as osteoporosis and bone thinning.
The Jaisohn Medical Center offers free flu vaccination services annually during the winter for uninsured or underinsured patients aged 19 to 64 through the support of the Department of Public Health Immunization Program City of Philadelphia.
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We are looking for additional providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, etc.) Detailed information can be found at https://jaisohn.org/career/.
To learn more about the Jaisohn Medical Center, please call our Philadelphia office at (215)-224-2000 or our Lansdale office at (215)-997-2101.
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Members of the Jaisohn Home Health Care team met with social workers from the York Nursing & Rehabilitation Center to extend our appreciation and to strengthen our ongoing relationship and collaboration.
Jaisohn Home Health Care also continues to provide free senior health courses through the winter. This semester, most of the classes centered around diabetes and diabetes management with various underlying conditions.
To seek career opportunities or learn more about Jaisohn Home Health Care, please call (215)-866-0103 for more information.
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For many years, Raymond Price struggled with severe degenerative arthritis which left him unable to walk. He was receiving only five hours of home care services per week which was not enough to fulfill his needs, but his repeated requests for an increase in service hours were consistently denied.
Everything changed when a neighbor, a patient at Jaisohn Medical Center, told him about Jaisohn Home Care services. Immediately after contacting Jaisohn, Raymond received assistance applying for Long-Term Care Services and in less than two months, he was approved for 45 hours of home care services per week with meal deliveries and his daughter-in-law was trained as his caregiver.
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Raymond shares, “She is now my full-time angel, making each day brighter and better. Since receiving this care, my life has drastically improved. I have gained 10 pounds and can now walk around my house with a walker—something I never thought possible before. I am beyond grateful to the entire Jaisohn Home Care team. Without your unwavering support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
To learn more about Jaisohn Home Care, please call (215)-224-2137.
| | Jaisohn Wellness Center - Senior Community Center | |
On December 12, the Jaisohn Wellness Center, sponsored by Montgomery County Aging Services, held its annual Christmas Party with games, quizzes, a singing contest and lunch, allowing participants to fully enjoy the holiday spirit. A highlight of the evening was an energetic act by a group of five seniors performing Bruno Mars and Rosé’s APT. One attendee expressed her gratitude, saying, "I was truly happy to laugh and enjoy this time together with everyone."
To learn more about the Jaisohn Wellness Center and how to participate, contact (267)-638-9500.
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Jaisohn Mental Health and Social Services
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Our social service team recently visited the County Community Connections Office to build a stronger relationship and to enhance the services we provide to our vulnerable clients. This collaboration allows us to connect individuals with essential resources, ensuring they receive the support and information they need. By working closely with the Community Connections Office, we can streamline access to services, share vital information, and advocate for those who need assistance the most.
We extend our gratitude to the Montgomery County Lansdale Community Connection Office team for their dedication and hospitality and look forward to our ongoing partnership.
| | Beth Till joined us as a member of our Central Team in December to manage partner development and improve our communication efforts in the community. With her experience as the Montgomery County Immunization Coalition Program Manager, she will continue to strengthen our relationships with major service providers and leaders in the AAPI community network. | | Jiyeon Hwang joined our Medical Center team in February as an Administrative Assistant in both our Philadelphia and Lansdale offices. Her welcoming presence and experience in customer service have made processing patients much more efficient. We look forward to her continued contribution and growth within our organization. | | In February we welcomed Sally Kim as our Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) Program Manager. SCSEP is a community service and work-based job training program for low-income, unemployed seniors. With her help, we will be able to broaden the scope of our partnership with SCSEP and provide a platform for our seniors to enjoy active and productive lives. | |
AAPI Coalition and Jaisohn Center
Leadership Meetings
| | Twenty-two leaders representing eight ethnic communities in the AAPI Coalition and Jaisohn Center have been meeting at the Jaisohn Community Wellness Plaza to collaborate on strengthening our communities. These meetings serve as a vital forum for discussing key community needs and advancing initiatives that foster support and connection. Recent discussions have focused on the benefits of coalition-building, the progress of the AAPI community needs assessment, social services/navigation, senior services, and the Jaisohn Community Foundation and Leadership Institute. So far, two specialized committees have been formed - Mental Health for Youth and Family Committee and Youth and Young Leadership Development Committee. Through these collaborative efforts, the AAPI Coalition and Jaisohn Center continue to build a strong foundation for lasting community impact. | | The New American Initiative, of which the Jaisohn Center serves as a partner, held a workshop at Manor College for those who have an interest in running for local school board positions. Almost 10 diverse AAPI leaders signed up representing both South and East Asian American communities. This workshop was prepared by Senator Art Haywood's office (Jude Husein) and led by LeadPA (Dr. Cai Smith-Morris at el.). Ms. Anna Thomas, a Malaysian-American with Indian heritage, energized the crowd with her experiences on the school board and her state representative campaign. We will continue to offer young professional leadership development opportunities for community services and networking. | |
Community Leader Visits to the
Jaisohn Community Wellness Plaza
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This winter, the Jaisohn Community Wellness Plaza welcomed many community leaders.
Among our visitors were: Jun Min, President of The Korea Times of Philadelphia; Anuj Gupta, President & CEO of the Welcome Center, and Elizabeth Jones, Chief Program Officer; Jasmine Leatherberry, MontCo Senior Grants and Development Manager, and Elizabeth Kasonde, MontCo Recovery Office Senior Analyst; Mission Kids staff Sarah Imbesi and Jennifer Capone; Elizabeth DiArcangelo, Administrator of MontCo Community Connections, and Caitlin Hoover, Outreach Supervisor; Paul Luu, President of Chinese American Service League; Jae Yong Lee, Head of the Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Philadelphia and Consul Bumgeun Cho; Director Daisy Yang and Editor Bei Li of Metro Chinese and Metro VietNews; Kevin Kim, President of the Korean American Association of Greater Philadelphia (KAAGP); Shaun Cho from Hana Tour; and our good friend State Representative Steve Malagari.
| | JAISOHN MEMORIAL HOUSE AND VISITS | | |
The family of the late Dr. Eung Ryong Choi, a longtime pediatrician at the Jaisohn Medical Center, visited the Philip Jaisohn Memorial House. He was a dedicated provider and a great example of servant leadership for all of us. It was uplifting to see his family maintaining a connection with Philip Jaisohn for the sake of their younger generation.
The America Federation of Honam Friendship Association held their Transition and Inauguration event in Philadelphia where officers from Korea, Germany, and all of North America convened. We took them on a historical tour of Philadelphia that ended at the Philip Jaisohn Memorial House. Jae Yong Lee, new head of the Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Philadelphia, visited both the Philip Jaisohn Memorial House in Media and the Monument in Rose Tree Park. Consul Bumgeun Cho and a staff member also joined this tour before visiting the Jaisohn Community Wellness Plaza in North Wales.
| | Korea JeonBuk University Nursing School and Overseas Training Teams visited the Philip Jaisohn Memorial House to learn more about Dr. Philip Jaisohn (Soh, Jai-Pil) and Korean-American history. | | On January 13, we celebrated Korean American Day, marking the 122nd anniversary of the first group of Koreans to immigrate to Hawaii in 1903. PA Senator Patty Kim and Philadelphia City Council Member Jim Harrity gave remarks about the importance of Korean Americans and their contributions to the country. PA State Senator Patty Kim and U.S. Senator Andy Kim were recognized with the 2025 Korean American Day resolution. We had the honor of raising the Korean flag outside of Philadelphia’s City Hall, where it flew for the rest of the day. The KAAGP and PJMF both cosponsored the Korean American Day celebration. | | The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation held its annual holiday staff party, sponsored by Board Members Un Hwang Lee and Chairman Brian Lee. The Jaisohn Employee of the Year award, in honor of the late Jane Song, was presented to Charles Freeman by Elder Song. We are thankful for our great team members who are dedicated to serving our communities. | | |
Join us on Saturday, April 5, 2025 to commemorate The First Korean Congress! Convened by Dr. Philip Jaisohn on April 14-16, 1919, the First Korean Congress advocated for Korea’s Independence from Japanese occupation. During this event, meetings were held at the Little Theatre (now Plays and Players Theater) in Philadelphia and 150 people marched through the city to Independence Hall. To commemorate this event in 2019, we had a Centennial Celebration reenacting the march with 1,500 people and we have continued this tradition during the last few years.
Part 1, lecture series, is cosponsored by the Kim Center for Korean Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and requires an RSVP. Parts 2 & 3 are cosponsored by the Korean Association of Greater Philadelphia, KAAGP. Please contact emma.hall@jaisohn.org if you are interested in attending any part of the event. We hope to see you there to celebrate the fight for independence!
| | The Jaisohn Center's work would not be possible without the generosity of our partners: | | | | |
