In Celebration of National Centenarian Day, NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Honors Four Centenarians
The nursing home celebrated residents Sooi Chee (102), Yung Lin Chou (102), Sun L. Lum (100), and Alfred Cruz (100)
Sep 24, 2024
New York, NY — In celebration of National Centenarian Day (observed on September 22nd), NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur skilled nursing facility honored four remarkable residents who have reached the milestone of living 100 years or older. The four centenarians – Sooi Chee (102), Yung Lin Chou (102), Sun L. Lum (100), and Alfred Cruz (100) – are living testaments to resilience and courage. Having witnessed history, from world wars to space exploration, civil rights movements to the digital age, these individuals stand as living bridges between the past and present.
Those honored at the celebration were:
- Sooi Chee, 102, was born in China and worked as a seamstress. She was also a Tai Chi practitioner, teaching the community for many years. Known for her multilingual abilities, she continues to inspire others with her resilience and wisdom.
- Yung Lin Chou, 102, was born in Shanghai, China, and worked as a chef. He raised four children and lived in both Taiwan and the United States. His life is a testament to perseverance and adaptability.
- Sun L. Lum, 100, was born in China, she spent her life as a seamstress, finding solace in her family and her garden. Sun’s quiet strength and passion for cooking reflect a life rooted in tradition but driven by love, ensuring that those around her were nourished both in body and spirit.
- Alfred Cruz, 100, was born in New York and worked as a plumber. Known for his great sense of humor and love for Spanish and Chinese food, Mr. Cruz enjoys spending time with family.
“It means so much to see my mother celebrate her 101st birthday at Gouverneur Nursing Home, with her extended family and friends,” said Peggy Chin, daughter of Gouverneur Centenarian Resident Sun Lum. “After working at Gouverneur for 40 years, I realize this is the best place for her. I’m happy that she continues to thrive and always smiles whenever I see her. I appreciate the staff for their hard work in giving the best care to her and the other seniors.”
“I have embraced the principles of Tai Chi for 40 years, becoming a practitioner of over 100 different movements that I have shared with others in my Brooklyn neighborhood,” said Gouverneur Centenarian Resident Sooi Chee. “The daily practice of Tai Chi has played an important role in my longevity and provided balance for the body and mind.”
“Like our centenarians, we are dedicated to helping all our residents continue to live their lives with dignity, health and connection to their families and the community,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Chief Executive Officer Susan Sales, MPA, FACHE, LNHA. “Their longevity is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and their stories are what make our community so unique, and we are proud to serve them.”
“I would like to express my most sincere congratulations to these four centenarians,” said NYC Council Member Christopher Marte. “Older adults are the gems of our society, and I would also like to provide my deepest appreciation to Gouverneur Nursing Home for the work they do in the community. Providing a reliable, trustworthy home for our older adults is so important, especially as our population continues to age, so I am very grateful for their efforts.”
###
#156-24
Media Contact:
Carolyn Franklin, franklic5@nychhc.org, 646-265-6502
Rafael Dominguez, Rafael.dominguez@nychhc.org, 646-988-3599
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur
Conveniently located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and accessible by mass transportation from most parts of New York City, NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur operates a 295-bed Nursing Facility, providing state-of-the-art care for short-term rehabilitation, long-term and hospice care. Gouverneur is an academic affiliate of NYU School of Medicine and Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, providing high-quality sub-acute rehabilitation medicine and skilled nursing services. Gouverneur has been meeting the healthcare needs of New Yorkers for more than a century. The facility received a 5-star CMS Overall Rating and 5-Star CMS Quality Rating; ranked #7 in Newsweek’s 2024 Best Nursing Homes in New York, and has earned high-performance rating in long-term care and short-term rehabilitation by U.S. News & World Report – 2024 Best Nursing Homes.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation, serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.