Cultural Pride and Health Literacy: Dr. Richard Park’s Talk with Fidelis 1

Read the Original Article: https://www.fideliscare.org/Blog?id=911 

This Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Fidelis Care honors the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of this community. In observance of the month, Fidelis Care recently talked with Rendr CEO Dr. Richard Park about cultural pride, health literacy, and how he makes a difference. 

Fidelis Care: What does being an Asian American provider mean to you? 

Dr. Park: As an Asiaan American provider, serving and supporting my community brings me immense joy and pride. It extends beyond delivering medical care; it's about championing health equity and giving back to hardworking individuals who need assistance the most. Being an Asian American provider lets me serve as a representative and advocate for diversity and inclusion within the healthcare profession. I can help ensure the unique needs of Asian Americans are not only acknowledged but also respected and addressed with empathy. 

Fidelis Care: What are your thoughts on health literacy within the Asian American community? 

Dr. Park: Many Asian Americans, particularly immigrants, encounter significant challenges in accessing health information because of language barriers. Their proficiency in English may be limited. It can hinder effective communication with healthcare providers and make it difficult to get healthcare services. 

Cultural beliefs also impact health literacy within the Asian American community. Stigma surrounding certain health conditions, such as mental health issues, contributes to a reluctance in some Asian Americans to seek medical assistance, particularly from providers who lack proficiency in their language and understanding of Asian cultural nuances. Additionally, socioeconomic status serves as a significant determinant. Asian Americans hailing from low-income backgrounds often face restricted access to healthcare resources, including preventive services and health education materials. 

Fidelis Care: How do you give back to your community? 

Dr. Park: Growing up in an underserved neighborhood in Flushing shaped my understanding of the struggles faced by marginalized communities. My father ran a small business, and my mother worked at a fish and fries store. I vividly remember taking my mom to the doctor’s office after one of her shifts, her scent still saturated with the aroma of frying fish and oil. The staff at the office made no eye contact, leaving us feeling embarrassed and isolated. This experience left an indelible mark on me, fueling my commitment to serving vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. For me it’s personal. It's rooted in empathy and the desire to ensure that no one feels overlooked or marginalized when seeking healthcare. 

In 2019, I co-founded Rendr with a group of Asian physicians in New York City, aiming to provide world-class, value-based healthcare with kindness and integrity to the underserved Asian community. We provide a coordinated healthcare experience through advanced management and technology infrastructure across more than 100 clinical sites. We work seven days a week to cater to our predominantly Medicaid and Medicare patient base, offering care in their languages and with genuine empathy. 

Fidelis Care: How has your role as a physician and leader changed the Asian American community? 

Dr. Park: Often, Asian healthcare providers serving our community are undervalued and lack investment from government-powered coordinated care initiatives. At Rendr, we prioritize investing in the basics and fostering coordinated care among our providers through clear quality metrics and performance objectives. This strategy ensures that our medical care is not only repeatable and scalable but also predictable in its outcomes. Presently, with over 200 providers, we serve about 200,000 patients across more than 100 offices throughout New York City. Each time a provider joins our network, we enhance their performance, ultimately delivering superior patient care to our community. 

Fidelis Care: What is your favorite cultural tradition? 

Dr. Park: In Asian culture, caring for family members, especially our elders, holds profound significance. Our parents, who toiled tirelessly day and night, likely never imagined that we would become doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals. Yet, it's through their strong work ethic passed down to us that we've achieved these aspirations. Now, it's our turn to give back and support the previous generation. This is precisely the mission we embrace at Rendr: nurturing the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the Asian-American community while upholding their dignity and independence with the utmost respect.