Carmelaana Lim, RN, immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines when she was 13.
She maintains her connection to her heritage raising her family in Baton Rouge and working at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in the surgery unit.
“I still speak my native language, Tagalog, to many family members and friends in the Philippines and here in America,” Carmelaana says. “My husband is also Filipino, and we are able to continue practicing our values and culture in our home. We try our best to instill them into our sons.”
Keeping Connections Through Food
Carmelaana’s favorite Filipino dish is called Kare-kare.
“It’s our version of beef stew, but we use peanut butter and lots of veggies to add flavor!” she says. “Unfortunately, it can’t be found in Baton Rouge, but there are a few Filipino restaurants in New Orleans that make it.”
Holiday Traditions
Halloween may not be an obvious holiday to connect with Filipino heritage, but Carmelaana says it captures the culture of her heritage.
“We celebrate it as All Saints Day or ‘Undas’ on October 31,” she says. “Instead of the trick or treating and wearing costumes, we visit our loved ones who passed away in the cemetery and hang out to honor them. What I love the most about our culture is that we are family oriented and the tremendous amount of respect and love we have for the elderly.”
Our DEI Commitment
Our ministry’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion supports culturally competent care education for our team members all year long, including during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month each May.
