NORTH WALES — The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation (Jaisohn Center) officially celebrated the grand opening of the Jaisohn Community Wellness Plaza on Saturday, March 28, marking a major milestone in expanding access to culturally responsive health and human services in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
The Jaisohn Community Wellness Plaza represents a $10 million investment to create a “one-stop hub” integrating medical care, senior services, and community-based programs. The initiative is designed to improve access to coordinated, culturally competent care for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and other underserved populations.
The grand opening event brought together federal, state, and local leaders, community partners, and supporters to commemorate the occasion. The program featured two ribbon-cutting ceremonies, cultural performances, and remarks from public officials and community leaders, along with recognition of major donors.
The program opened with the Star-Spangled Banner performed by the Jaisohn Senior Singers, followed by intergenerational cultural performances featuring the Jaisohn Youth Drum Team, Annie Renita, and the Jaisohn Saxophone Ensemble.
The first ribbon-cutting ceremony featured Pennsylvania Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh, Jaisohn Center CEO George Choe, and Montgomery County Commissioners Chair Jamila Winder, joined by State Senators Art Haywood, Tricia Pennycuick, and Maria Collett, Republic of Korea Philadelphia Head Consul Jae Yong Lee, Jaisohn Board Chair Brian Lee, and founding leader Dr. Henry Oh. (Photo courtesy of Jaisohn Center)
Speakers included Pennsylvania Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh, Montgomery County Commissioners Jamila Winder and Neil Makhija, Republic of Korea Philadelphia Head Consul Jae Yong Lee, State Senators Maria Collett, Tracy Pennycuick, and Art Haywood, and State Representatives Liz Hanbidge and Steve Malagari. A letter from the Governor was read by Razin Karu, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on AAPI Affairs.
“The Jaisohn Community Wellness Plaza represents a major step forward in expanding access to culturally responsive health and human services. We are proud to create a space where individuals and families can receive coordinated care that reflects their language, culture, and community needs. We are accomplishing these objectives in partnership with our community coalition partners,” said George Choe, president of the Jaisohn Center.
The Jaisohn Community Wellness Plaza was developed in response to findings from a multi-year AAPI Community Strengths and Needs Assessment Study, which identified gaps in access to care, language services, and coordinated support systems.
The event also highlighted the launch of the Jaisohn Advocacy and James and Agnes Kim Leadership Institute, which will focus on leadership development, civic engagement, and strengthening community capacity. The initiative is supported by a $2 million endowment, including $1 million from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving and $1 million from the James & Agnes Kim Foundation, as well as a diverse group of founding board and advisory members.
In addition, the Jaisohn Center recognized foundational support from the Montgomery County Recovery Office ARPA grant program ($5.25 million) and MacKenzie Scott Yield Giving ($1 million), as well as new major contributions, including PA Health & Wellness ($500,000) and the Afzal Family ($150,000). These investments, along with other significant contributions — including the Jaisohn Center’s own capital — reflect strong public-private partnerships helping to make the Wellness Plaza a reality.
Following the ceremony, attendees toured the new facility, which will serve as a central hub for integrated health and human services in the region.
For more information on the Jaisohn Center visit jaisohn.org
