International Community Health Services (ICHS) medical provider and former medical director Dr. Alan Chun, MD has been honored with the Healthcare Heroes Award from the Puget Sound Business Journal. Dr. Chun received his award for his commitment to health advocacy and leadership in advancing care for Seattle’s communities of color.

In recognition of those individuals who are going beyond their job descriptions to serve their communities, the Puget Sound Business Journal has named 14 Health Care Heroes for 2024.

The program, which was introduced in 2023, recognizes efforts to provide personalized care across cultures and languages in vulnerable communities. “This award honors examples of excellence, and the outstanding compassion and service that Dr. Chun brought in service to our vision and mission, each and every day,” said Kelli Nomura, ICHS CEO. “It’s impossible to list all of the ways he has given his heart to our patients over the course of his 30 years of service. I’m proud we have been able to work together to ensure our patients and communities stay healthy and thrive.”

Dr. Chun has been at ICHS since 1994, serving as medical director for over a decade immediately after his hiring. He is a Honolulu native and a graduate of the University of Hawaii School of Medicine.

Today he serves as a physician at ICHS’ Legacy House location in Seattle’s International District. Through ICHS’ Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Dr. Chun provides comprehensive skilled care for seniors age 55 with disabilities and age 65 or older. He is a third-generation Chinese American, and he says one benefit of working at ICHS has been the opportunity to learn more Cantonese from his patients and to focus on the care of seniors.

He has been pivotal in ICHS’ successful launch in 2019 of a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to provide holistic care to seniors to “age in place” as they grow older instead of living at a nursing home. Since the 2010s he has been a visionary leader in ICHS to conceptualize and bring to fruition the first culturally responsive PACE program in our region. His outstanding contributions have improved the accessibility, efficiency, and equity of our region’s healthcare system.

“His leadership in ICHS has been pivotal,” said Alice Braverman, ICHS Foundation Director. “He was key in our successful launch of our Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in 2019, the first culturally responsive PACE program in our region. His outstanding contributions have improved the accessibility, efficiency, and equity of our region’s healthcare system.”

Dr. Alan Chun has been a vocal health advocate working to educate and empower members of the public about senior heart health. He has been an outstanding ICHS spokesperson, educating providers, public health officials, and families on navigating dementia and other health conditions affecting seniors.

He will be honored with the award at the Health Care Heroes luncheon in Seattle on July 11, 2024 during a lunchtime awards ceremony.