OUT AND ABOUT 40 OCTOBER 2022 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Multiple generations of the Chen family have graduated from the University of Miami and the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.And like the Miller School, the Chens have had a longstanding passion for reducing health disparities and improving the lives of residents in the most medically underserved communities. The Chen Family Foundation is looking to expand that shared mission even further by donating $3 million to advance research through the Chen Family Endowed Chair to Advance Primary Care and Health Equity Research. “The foresight, leadership, and dedication of Dr. Chris Chen and his family will propel the University forward in our pursuit of health equity,” said University of Miami President Julio Frenk. “We are incredibly appreciative of their generosity and partnership.” The Chen Family Endowed Chair to Advance Primary Care and Health Equity Research will enable the Miller School’s Department of Medicine to recruit a leader with extensive experience in primary and population health care that will allow UM to become the leader in primary care and medicine among academic institutions. Once aboard, that expert will be tasked with researching and improving the way primary care, and health equity, is delivered throughout South Florida. The Chen family's mission to reduce health disparities is based on their Christian faith to serve and help others. That mission was intensified in 2003 after their struggle with the health care system. Chen’s father, Jen-ling, was diagnosed with cancer and given only two months to live. He and his family say they experienced what it was like to be on the receiving end of fragmented and unsympathetic health care where the multiple specialists involved in his care did not collaborate, appointments had to be booked weeks in advance, and compassion seemed lacking. Miraculously, Chen’s father recovered and soon delved into a new mission; developing a method of delivering medical services that provided a superior level of care and positively impacted patients' lives, particularly in underserved communities. Chen Family Donates $3Million for Health Equity MembThe Chen Family Pictured from left to right: Gordon Chen, MD, Chief Medical Officer; Jessica Chen, MD, Chief Clinical Officer; Stephanie Chen, Chief Legal and Culture Officer; Christopher Chen, MD, Chief Executive Officer Mary Chen, Co_founder and Chief Market Development Officer; James Chen, MD, PhD, ChenMed Founder) Photo courtesy ChenMed The second Saturday of eachmonth, local Christian writers huddle around tables to sharpen the work God has called them to. These mighty Word Weavers get elbow-toelbow sharing and critiquing their articles, devotions, poems, scenes from novels, children’s, middle-grade, and memoirs — as iron sharpens iron — all for the glory of God. Members come from all backgrounds — some working, some not. Teachers, speech pathologists, former pastors, Jewish evangelists, forensic CPAs, car enthusiasts, former FBI agents, project managers, marriage and relationship counselors, and lawyers bring God’s palette of character and creativity front and center at each meeting. Some are published, some not yet, some for pleasure, and sometoworkout their faithand life. At 80, retired pastor David L. Haun set a goal of writing five books. At 85, he’s about to launch his eighth. Jeff Keene II, a high-school teacher by day, writes historical novels by night. Former FBI agent and lawyer James W. Geiger is working on his third book—amemoire. Patricia Hartman, a forensic CPA is about to launch a sequel suspense novel. MiriamFinesilver, a Jewish evangelist, just published her second novel in a series. It's a calling. Writin’ for the Lord –Ain’t Nothing Better! To learn more, email [email protected] SouthFloridaWordWeavers areWriting for theLord Pictured (left to right): Miriam Finesilver, Melanie Prada, James W. Geiger. Jeff Keene II, David L. Haun, Deanna Coffin, Patricia Hartman, Kristen Brown, Patrick Hartman
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