NYC Health + Hospitals Honors Seven Long-Term Care Residents for National Centenarian Day Celebration
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur recognizes six residents over the age of 100; NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler celebrates centenarian resident Carmen Augustin at age 111
Sep 23, 2025
New York, NY — In celebration of National Centenarian Day on September 22, NYC Health + Hospitals honored seven remarkable residents who have reached the milestone of living 100 years or older. Six incredible centenarians were recognized at Gouverneur: Mei Dor Chew (100), Alfred Cruz (101), Sun L. Lum (101), Sooi Chee (103), Yung Lin Chou (103), and Kam Po Ma (103). NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler also celebrated their resident centenarian, Carmen Augustin (111), the oldest resident in the health care systems’ long-term care. These individuals are testament to a lifetime of strength, resilience, and experiences spanning over the last 100 years.
Those honored for National Centenarian Day were:
- Carmen Augustin, 111, was born in Haiti and has lived through significant historical events from the rise of aviation, the Spanish flu pandemic, the start of both World Wars, 19 U.S. Presidents, among many others. She enjoys singing in French and Creole with the residents and staff in the Memory Care Unit at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler.
- Kam Po Ma, 103, born in China, worked as a rice miller. He is a very optimistic person and enjoys playing mah jong, Chinese chess, and playing cards.
- Sooi Chee, 103, 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, 103, 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, 101, was born in China, and she spent her life as a seamstress, finding solace in her family and her garden. Her 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, 101, was born in New York and worked as a plumber. Known for his great sense of humor and love for Spanish and Chinese food, he enjoys spending time with family.
- Mei Dor Chew, 100, born in the United States and raised in China. She worked as a seamstress for six days a week to raise her family of five. Through hard work and determination, she raised three children, all graduating from college. She also loves to play mah jong.
“At Gouverneur we are proud to serve an impressive group of Centenarians,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Chief Executive Officer Susan Sales, MPA, FACHE, LNHA. “Of our group of six centenarians, 3 of our 103-year-old residents lived independently in the community until 100 years old and then chose to come to Gouverneur. The commitment of our staff, families, and volunteers enhance the lives of our Centenarians and they of ours.”
“Today we honor an extraordinary group of New Yorkers who have reached 100 years or more, reminding us of the strength, wisdom, and history that live within our communities. Our centenarians have witnessed generations of change and have contributed so much to the fabric of our city,” said NYC Council Member Christopher Marte. “I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each honoree and my deep gratitude to the staff at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur for the compassion and dedication they show every day. Their work ensures that our older adults continue to live with dignity, care, and connection — values that make our city stronger for everyone.”
“Kam Po Ma always bring the family together for celebrations and family gatherings in Chinatown for good food. He inspires us to be active, healthy and positive so we can live to be as old as he is some day,” said Benjamin Lee, grandson of Gouverneur Centenarian Resident Kam Po Ma.
In March, NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Centenarian Resident Carmen Augustin, celebrated her 111th birthday. Born in Haiti in 1914, her life is truly remarkable and embodies, not only her personal resilience, but also the rich history she has witnessed throughout her life. This milestone stands as a testament to her strength, wisdom, and the countless experiences she has lived through for more than a century.
“For years, Carmen has been embraced by the tender care and compassion of Coler’s Memory Care Unit (MCU) team, who have cultivated a deep and meaningful bond with her,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Associate Director of Nursing Deepa Vinoo, DNP, RN. “Their unwavering dedication and affection make her 111th birthday even more special, and they take immense pride in celebrating this extraordinary achievement with her.”
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Media Contact: Rafael Dominguez, Rafael.dominguez@nychhc.org
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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 #4 in Newsweek’s 2025 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 – 2025 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 46,000 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.