Richard Wender, MD

Richard Wender, MD, has dedicated his career to leading medical and public health efforts that strive to improve the quality of primary care and improve population health. He is currently Chair and Professor of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Wender spent 33 years in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University, including 12 years as the Alumni Professor and Chair of the Department. From 2013 to 2020, Dr. Wender served as the first Chief Cancer Control Officer of the American Cancer Society. He helped launch a national initiative to achieve 80% colorectal cancer screening rates in every community and a campaign to increase HPV vaccination rates. Dr. Wender has continuously advocated for the importance of preventive care and for the creation of an effective bridge between primary care and public health.