Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart Visited CCACC
On April 4, 2025, Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart, accompanied by Diana Carrillo, Legislative Aide in the Office of Council President Kate Stewart, visited the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC). Council President Stewart is the first Montgomery County government official to visit CCACC this year.
Focusing on CCACC Health Center
At 10:00 AM, Council President Stewart and Legislative Aide Carrillo arrived at the CCACC Health Center, where they were warmly welcomed by Dr. Yuchi Huang (CCACC Board Chair), Mo-Ping Chow (CCACC Board Member), Li-Fang C. Liu (Deputy Executive Director of CCACC), and Kate Lu (Director of CCACC Health Center). They were accompanied on a tour to learn more about the center's healthcare services and long-term plans.
Director Lu highlighted that, in addition to its comprehensive services, such as primary care, rehabilitation therapy, and community health education, the center is also dedicated to promoting the "Mental Health 360" program, which was established in 2015. This program was the first professional service in Montgomery County focused on Asian mental health, marking a significant milestone. It is also worth noting that Council President Stewart has made mental health services one of her top priorities this year. Her team launched a special video on March 21, focusing on community mental health support services, with CCACC Health Center being honored as the first organization featured in the video. (Click here to watch the video).
Subsequently, Director Lu provided a detailed introduction to several key initiatives that CCACC Health Center has been promoting in the field of community health in recent years. These include the "Promise Program," which aims to create a positive and inclusive environment for children with special educational needs, helping them develop life skills. To support this program, CCACC Health Center has been hosting the Charity Pickleball Tournament since 2023, which aims to increase community engagement and expand a diverse resource platform.
Director Lu also highlighted the "STOP B" program for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B, which is one of the core missions of the Health Center. This program continues to offer free hepatitis B screenings, a 3-shot vaccine course, and low-cost treatments, while also raising public awareness and education through outreach efforts to ensure that patients receive systematic and continuous care. She emphasized, "Government support is crucial for the center to continue its long-term services. We need to keep raising our voices to ensure that more people understand the unmet healthcare needs in our community."
Promoting Accessible Healthcare Services
Director Lu pointed out that some residents, even with health insurance, may still face difficulties in receiving appropriate medical assistance due to language or cultural barriers. To eliminate these obstacles, CCACC Health Center provides services for diverse groups and offers multilingual support, striving to create an accessible healthcare environment. She also briefly introduced the "Open House for Healthcare Professionals" event held on March 28, which attracted over a hundred healthcare professionals to participate in networking and observation.
During the subsequent on-site tour, Council President Stewart visited the pharmacy, laboratory, examination rooms, rehabilitation room, and the dental clinic under construction. Council President Stewart stated that having an on-site pharmacy is especially critical for patients. Director Lu added, "Professional pharmacists can personally explain how to take medications, which is especially helpful for non-English-speaking patients."
Continuing to Cultivate Community Healthcare Development
After the tour, Director Lu expressed sincere gratitude to the county government for its long-standing support of the Health Center and emphasized, "Healthcare services are a long-term and ongoing responsibility. CCACC Health Center will continue to deeply engage with the community. Despite facing various challenges, the center will actively expand resources, strengthen collaboration with the government and all sectors of society, and remain committed to providing residents with a stable and efficient service system."
Elderly Care and Cultural Exchange
The group then walked to the CCACC Adult Day Healthcare Center (ADHC), where Rita S. Lewi, Executive Director of CCACC, warmly welcomed Council President Stewart. Together with the CCACC representatives, Stewart toured the ADHC's nursing station, activity hall, music room, and kitchen facilities. Under the introduction of Dr. Huang, Stewart observed firsthand the balanced breakfast and lunch meals provided daily for the elderly at ADHC, alongside comprehensive physical and mental care, creating a warm and supportive environment for senior services.
Next, the guests moved to the second floor to visit the CCACC Art Gallery, where they admired the current exhibition "Spring · Shine," with its exquisite artwork making a lasting impression. Council President Stewart mentioned that she had attended the special exhibition for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month held by the CCACC Art Gallery in 2023, and she still vividly remembers it. She looks forward to the CCACC Art Gallery continuing to serve as an important platform for fostering cultural exchange in the community.
Deepening Cooperation for the Well-being of the Community
During the meeting in the conference room, both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on strengthening collaboration and improving the accessibility of healthcare and cultural services. CCACC hopes that through this visit, the guests will be able to see and hear firsthand the challenges and needs the center faces in serving the community. The center aims to gain their support in working together to promote the well-being of the community.
(Article by CCACC Administrative Office)
From left to right are: Dr. Yuchi Huang, CCACC Board Chair; Li-Fang C. Liu, Deputy Executive Director of CCACC; Kate Stewart, Montgomery County Council President; Kate Lu, Director of CCACC Health Center; Mo-Ping Chow, CCACC Board Member.
Dr. Huang explained to Council President Stewart the efforts and achievements of CCACC Health Center in community health services.
Director Lu provided an overview of several key initiatives that CCACC Health Center has been promoting in the field of community health in recent years.
A group photo was taken in the ADHC lobby. In the center: Rita S. Lewi, Executive Director of CCACC.
The exquisite artwork caught the attention of Council President Stewart, who paused to admire it.
