‘Creating the Bridge and Being the Bridge’.
James Chen (SPH’09) Finance and Business Analysis Manager for the Medical Oncology Department at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; SPH Alumni Leadership Council Member
Breakfast: Coffee, bread, and fruit
Hometown: “I was born in a small city in inland China, famous for coal mines. The city was comprised of schools, factories, hospitals, and other infrastructure services that collectively supported the operations of coal mines. Things have significantly changed over the past 40 years, but some of my relatives are still living and working there. But my true home is the Greater Boston area; I came to Boston when I was only 15 years old. The great city of Boston has given me and my family so much, and I am so grateful.”
Extracurricular: “Last year I began to learn rock climbing, and have taken courses at BU FitRec.”
How did you enter public health?
I was working in for-profit business and industry for several years, and I happened to watch a documentary film called Hao Si Bu Ru Lai Huo Zhe (To Live Is Better Than to Die) about HIV/AIDS orphans in China between the late 1990s and early 2000s. It had a significant impact on me and on what I wanted to do in my life. I applied to the School of Public Health for that spring semester, was accepted, and began to take classes at night while still working during the day.
A few years later, a practicum opportunity opened up seeking a Mandarin-speaking person to be the project manager in China for an HIV/AIDS adherence study. I’m a Chinese native, but had never worked there, so I thought that it might be a good opportunity for me to have some work experience in China, and to transition to public health and health care—and also complete my academic requirement.
I quit my job in May 2007 and took my wife with me. We were expecting our first child in three months, and, as you could imagine, this was quite a decision to make, with no salary and no benefits. Fortunately, I got the support and encouragement I needed that this was the right thing to do. I spent six months in China working on this particular study under the guidance and the leadership of the SPH team and in partnership with the local physicians and nurses.
I came back home on the eve of Thanksgiving six months later, and, thanks to my project management experience, I was offered a clinical research position at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This year will mark my 10th here at Dana-Farber. Currently I’m the finance and business analysis manager for the medical oncology department, which is the largest clinical department of the Institute—almost half the size of the entire institute.
How did your work with public health in China continue?
Over the years, outside of my routine work, for both professional and personal reasons I have developed an interest in helping to establish some working relationships between the US and China, especially between hospitals and between educational institutions. I’ve been communicating with people in both countries, trying to make connections and introduce them to each other, as well as to helping facilitate discussions and hope that something will come to fruition eventually.
Often people have resources or have knowledge, but they have no way of knowing what resources or knowledge are on the other side of the ocean. Sometimes you just need one person to help them to learn from each other, and, when the relationship begins, that person can help both sides put their differences aside and work on a common goal through mutually beneficial approach. You’re really creating the bridge, but also being the bridge in between, helping to push something to happen.
Many of these connections you facilitate are with SPH or BU. What motivates your involvement as an alumnus?
I’m so motivated because I feel grateful to SPH. With that practicum opportunity in China, the school allowed me to get my foot in the door of the healthcare industry. Without the education I had acquired from the school, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Soon after I began to work at Dana-Farber in spring 2008, while still a part-time night student, I began to encourage my supervisor to hire students from SPH and provide them with the opportunity to learn something in the clinical setting.
We first hired two students, and they were both working with me. When I took my second position at Dana-Farber in 2010, my first position was succeeded by one of the students who was completing his practicum with me. In each and every role that I have had over the years at Dana-Farber, I have managed to identify practicum opportunities for students during academic years and summers, and select qualified candidates to fill them. I don’t only invest in them while they work with me for their practicum, but also actively help them to secure career opportunities within Dana-Farber and beyond.
Over the years, I would say I have had between 10 and 15 students directly working under my supervision. It is a very rewarding experience, and I expect to continue with that in the coming years.
How else are you involved with the school?
Starting in 2010, I was part of the Alumni Leadership Council—when it was called the Alumni Board—and I was elected president of the board for two one-year terms. As of last year, I was also nominated to represent SPH on the BU Alumni Council.
I am humbled by these honors in recognition of my contribution and engagement with SPH. I’m very encouraged to continue supporting our students and helping to build brand recognition in China of SPH’s strength in practical approach and policy design.
What advice do you have for new graduates?
I think the fundamental thing is that staying in touch with the school doesn’t really take too much of our time or effort. Maybe volunteer for one day, like the Global Day of Service. Or send in a check for $10, $15, or $20 annually. All of the little things can add up to something much greater, with profound impact. And don’t forget to check out the latest initiative at SPH: PHX, the lifelong learning program. Ultimately, we don’t stop learning.
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