March is National Nutrition Month, a time to explore making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits. At Esperanza, we encourage this through our Lifestyle Medicine Class, led by Dr. Daniel Chen, MD, FACP, DipABLM. Dr. Chen teaches participants how to prepare and enjoy a whole food, plant-based meal. He describes the class as a way to spark conversation and inspire healthy eating habits. 

Lifestyle Medicine began in the Summer of 2022 as a pilot class with our Hunting Park site staff, where Dr. Chen prepared plant-based meals while discussing their nutrition benefits and addressing various health topics. The program has since expanded to include patients and members of our North Philadelphia community.

Said Dr. Chen: "Teaching this class has been a true joy—seeing bodies heal and hearing participants excitedly share the positive changes they’re making to transform their wellbeing!"

Women's History Month

March brings a month of many celebrations, including Women’s History Month! At Esperanza Health Center, we take this time to honor the contributions of women in the field of healthcare and beyond. Women such as Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman in the U.S. to earn a medical degree and Antonia Novello, the first female and first Hispanic U.S. Surgeon General have played an essential role in advancing medical care and fostering healing in those who need it most. We celebrate the dedicated women on our staff, in leadership, and among our patients, whose strength and faith continue to inspire us.

Esperanza's Winter Retreat

Twice a year, Esperanza staff gather at local partnering churches for our staff retreat, a time when we all come together for worship and to be encouraged and refreshed for the work of our ministry. This years’ Winter Retreat theme was: “The Spirit of the LORD is on Me: Jesus' Vision for Health”. Esperanza’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tim Leaman, MD, was the keynote speaker for the event. He spoke on knowing that God has a purpose for each of us—reminding us that there is a reason we are in this place, at this time, in this role, to share the Gospel while using our talents to provide holistic healthcare. Dr. Leaman shared the story of a patient, Brenda, who suffered from "broken heart syndrome" (heart failure brought on by emotional stress) but experienced God's restoration through care from Esperanza’s clinicians, chaplains, Behavioral Health Team, and a local congregation. The story serves as a powerful reminder that God is alive and working among us. Each of us at Esperanza contributes to these stories, as our gifts and purpose helps create spaces for people to experience hope and Jesus.