David Chen, M.D., Honored with Governor’s Compassionate Champion Award
Program recognizes individuals, organizations providing trauma-informed services
David Chen, M.D., was honored by the State of Delaware with the Governor’s Compassionate Champion Award, recognizing individuals and organizations that provide trauma-informed services. Trauma-informed health care acknowledges the role trauma may play in an individual’s life and includes ways to help the person feel safe, provide comfort and offer support.
“The Compassionate Champion Awards provide an opportunity to highlight the outstanding achievement by individuals and organizations that make our state stronger and healthier using the trauma-informed approach,” said Gov. John Carney. “We thank them for their compassion, leadership and commitment to our state and our citizens.”
Dr. Chen, who plays a key role in ChristianaCare’s Hospital Violence Intervention Program, was recognized as an Individual Champion in the program’s First Responder/Medical category.
Dr. Chen’s friend and colleague Stephanie Spangler, D.O., wrote the following testimony — with many colleagues concurring — to support the recognition and award from Gov. Carney:
“Dr. Chen has been a frontline advocate fiercely fighting gun violence, supporting underserved communities and forming long-term relationships with patients and community members.
“It was not unusual for Dr. Chen to open his home up to inner city youth for board game nights, or to work a long shift and still make sure to physically check in on neighbors in Wilmington who had limited resources, financial barriers and insufficient access to medical resources,” Dr. Spangler said. “Not only do they see him as a doctor, but … as a dear friend.
“Dr. Chen has been a frontline advocate fiercely fighting gun violence, supporting underserved communities and forming long-term relationships with patients and community members.”
Stephanie Spangler, D.O.
“Although he had not trained in emergency medicine, Dr. Chen self-trained on some emergency infield training techniques allowing him to, on more than one occasion, race street-side to neighbors who were victims of gun violence, trying to stabilize his community members until first responders could arrive,” Dr. Spangler wrote.
“Dr. Chen serves as a voice for those whose voices may not be heard. He demands of us all to be better and work smarter. He invigorates anyone he meets with his energy to seek change and promote equity. He is the person that many of us strive to be. We are blessed to work with him, and are better because of him,” she said.