(US and Canada) South Los Angeles-based MLK Community Healthcare (MLKCH) has appointed Patrick Chen as Vice President, Population Health Strategy and Innovation. Chen is a geospatial data scientist and health economist who has led numerous population health and data science teams in organizations ranging from community health systems to Fortune 500 entities.

Chen specializes in addressing community and population needs by integrating clinical, financial, social, and geospatial dimensions to produce holistic views of patients and communities.

Prior to joining MLKCH, Chen served as Senior Director of Business Intelligence for Scripps Health where he led a team of data scientists and clinicians to quantify access to care issues, develop healthcare economics studies, and pursue market intelligence endeavors. He is deeply committed to driving a positive, structural impact in underserved communities for both clinical outcomes and social determinants through the thoughtful execution of data-driven population health programs and community-sensitive approaches.

Chen also previously served as an Associate Director of Healthcare Economics at Optum/UnitedHealth Group and as a Manager of Data Science and Population Health Intelligence for MLKCH. His approach to data science and population health intelligence has been featured in organizations such as the Advisory Board and the CDO Magazine. He holds a position on the CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board, showcasing his contributions to the field of data.