The Institute

Beth Israel Latino Health Institute is a nonprofit medical practice that provides culturally sensitive health services designed to meet the specific needs of New York City’s diverse Latino community. Our doctors, specialists, nurses and health care professionals provide every patient with a thorough diagnosis, clear answers in English or Spanish, and highly effective treatment for illness or injury. Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan has made a significant commitment in staff and resources to ensure that the city’s Hispanic population receives quality care at all levels. We make our patients feel like family.

Founded in 2006, the Latino Health Institute is a partnership between Itzamna Medical Center, a private practice, and Beth Israel Medical Center. Beth Israel has a long history of helping neighborhoods and communities most in need of health services. The Latino Health Institute is the hospital’s second specialized program to address population trends in New York City, with the first one assisting Asians on the Lower East Side since 2005.

When it opened its doors in 2001, Itzamna Medical Center was among the first private organizations to address the many health challenges faced by Hispanic New Yorkers. Itzamna provided the strategic and operational blueprint for the Beth Israel Latino Health Institute. Itzamna, formerly located at 359 Second Avenue is now based in Beth Israel’s main campus.

Mission

Our mission is to improve the health status of New York City’s Hispanic community by overcoming the cultural, language, and economic barriers to quality healthcare.

To achieve this goal we focus on five primary areas:

Improved access at all levels of health care
Cultural sensitivity in the delivery of health services
Patient advocacy and continuity of care – from out-patient services through in-patient acute care
Education about healthy life choices
Elimination of the causes of ethnic and racial health disparities

Leadership

George Castro, MD

Associate Medical Director
Beth Israel Latino Health Institute and Itzamna Medical Center

Sharon Voytush, RN, MS

Executive Director
Beth Israel Latino Health Institute and Itzamna Medical Center

Affiliations

Beth Israel Medical Center

Beth Israel Medical Center is a 1,368-bed, full-service tertiary teaching hospital that was founded on Manhattan’s Lower East Side before the turn of the 20th century. Beth Israel originally was dedicated to serving a vulnerable population in that community. Now, a century later, it serves individuals and families from every walk of life throughout New York City and beyond.

Itzamna Medical Center

In 2001, Itzamna Medical Center was among the first private organizations to address the many health challenges faced by Latinos when it opened its doors in New York City. Itzamna provided the blueprint for what became the Beth Israel Latino Health Institute.

Patient-Centered Quality Alliance

The Latino Health Institute is associated with PCQA, a network of patient advocacy organizations and individuals, brought together in 2007 to provide a unique national platform for community leaders committed to optimal health and medical care for a diverse American population. PCQA participants believe excellence and innovation in medical care quality can only be accomplished through a renewed focus on patient-centered medicine and health policy.

Publications

LHI Brochure

LHI Newsletter

Beth Israel Healthy Neighbors