October 5, 2020 – Health Choice Network (HCN), a nationally recognized collaboration of Community Health Centers, today announces the addition of Katherine Chung-Bridges, MD, MPH as Director of Research, to the leadership team.
Dr. Chung-Bridges is a highly accomplished academic professor, leader, physician, and researcher with significant experience and knowledge in public and community health. With her demonstrated track record and reputation of being an energetic and passionate leader, Dr. Chung-Bridges’ leadership will help us strengthen and expand our research capacity and infrastructure. We look forward to her continuing to work closely with members, academic and community partners to identify research that will address the priorities of health centers and the diverse communities they serve. In addition, HCN will be offering access to clinical care as Dr. Chung-Bridges will be working as a primary care physician in the community. Prior to joining HCN, Dr. Chung-Bridges was Assistant Professor, Division of Family Medicine, as well as the Lead Physician, Linda Fenner 3D Mobile Mammography Center at Florida International University (FIU), Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. At FIU, Dr. Chung-Bridges provided care to uninsured patients on a mobile health center, conducted household visits with medical and nursing students, and used her research background to bring a social epidemiology perspective to projects.
In addition, Dr. Chung-Bridges was a Family Medicine Physician at Jessie Trice Community Health System (JTCHS) and a Consultant at Florida Institute for Health Innovation, rounding her experience to making her a wonderful match for this position.
“We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Chung-Bridges join HCN. With her overall experience, knowledge and commitment; we are confident she will provide the leadership required to ensure the growth of research within Community Health Centers,” said Alejandro Romillo, President and CEO of Health Choice Network.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to focus on my passion, which is to use research as a tool to help eliminate health disparities. Working to develop research that benefits federally qualified health centers is a dream come true,” said Dr. Katherine Chung-Bridges.
Annie Neasman, HCN Board Member and CEO of JTCHS stated “Given the importance of Health Center data inclusion in research, the HCN Board is investing in expanding its current research infrastructure and is excited to have Dr. Chung-Bridges be the one to lead and guide our approach.”
Dr. Chung-Bridges, who resides in Miami Shores, is a family physician who received a medical degree from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) – New Jersey Medical School, completed her residency program in social medicine at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, obtained a Master’s degree of Public Health, Epidemiology Track, from UMDNJ- School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, and completed a National Research Service Award (NRSA) Primary Care Research Fellowship from UMDNJ – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ. Dr. Chung-Bridges holds a medical license in the state of Florida.
About Health Choice Network:
Based in Miami, Florida, Health Choice Network (HCNetwork.org) is a successful nation-wide collaboration among health centers, health center-controlled networks and partners. By providing key business services in financial, managed care and billing support, strategic initiatives and the latest in health information technology, participants can improve patient outcomes through increased efficiencies and more accessible care in underserved communities. With 52 safety-net organizations in nineteen states serving approximately 2.1 million patients, HCN is recognized as a leader in the integration of health information technology, among health centers and safety net providers.
