#BlackStories | Bridging the Social Health Care Divide

When a person speaks to Dr. Lisa Price Stevens MD,MPH, MBA , they’ll walk away inspired and full of hope. As the Regional Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lisa leads our medical directors, center leaders, and clinical teams for our JenCare Senior Medical Centers in Virginia. In just 3 years, she has climbed up the ranks here at ChenMed, but her proudest moment is going back to her hometown roots in Virginia and serving the community where she grew up. “Imagine having several patients who knew me when I was 5 years old. The look in their eyes when they see me is humbling and touches me to the core,” she says.??

"...to be able to be a Black female that can come and take care of my own...that makes a difference.”??

?But for Dr. Lisa, it’s more than just serving in her childhood neighborhood, it’s serving a community of people that has long been overlooked. “One thing that drew me to ChenMed was the fact we are a very diverse and inclusive organization, and when I say it, I’ll be quite frank. When we talk about taking care of vulnerable populations, that’s Black and Brown people. And to be able to be a Black female that can come and take care of my own, not only come home but take care of populations that look like me… that makes a difference.”??

Recent studies show the disparities in life expectancy in various zip codes. In wealthier neighborhoods, the life expectancy is 20-30 years older than those living in poorer zip codes. “The cities with the widest gaps in life expectancy…were those that were most segregated by race and ethnicity.” (Time Magazine, June 2019). Our very own CEO Dr. Christopher Chen, MD Chen (“How Do Zip Codes Affect Health Outcomes?”) often talks about this social injustice found even among our own patients. For Dr. Lisa Price-Stevens, it’s bridging the gap in this healthcare disparity that has created a larger purpose in her life. “The difference that I am able to make daily in the lives of others. I love inspiring and empowering the people who take care of the people we serve,” she shares.?

If she were to provide any advice to another peer, she shares this story, “My Great Aunt taught me as a child to "eat the meat and spit out the bones." It is a metaphor meaning you can learn from everything and everybody. Do not reject or turn away from opportunities that may not initially appeal to you. If there is something that does not resonate with you, disregard it, and keep the good.” Like we said… when you meet her, you walk away inspired.??

Watch Dr. Lisa describe working as a female physician here at ChenMed:

Mentorship is a big part of our culture here at ChenMed. Dr. Lisa and many other leaders here provide this kind of influential leadership to all employees here. Find a purpose-driven career here. From our front desk coordinators to our clinical leaders, every job has a hand in changing the lives of others. Find available ChenMed jobs by clicking here.??