Richard Wender, MD is the Robert G. Dunlop Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Wender has dedicated his career to leading medical and public health efforts that strive to improve the quality of primary care, implement population health, and address social determinants of health in the continuous pursuit of equity for all people. Since being appointed as Chair in 2020, the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health has been increasing influential in addressing the needs of the communities served by Penn.  The Department has recruited 24 new faculty members, expanded the residency program from 27 to 36, reinvigorated a robust health services research program, led Penn’s community-based COVID vaccination efforts, and built sustained relationships with multiple community partners. He has been instrumental in starting Penn’s first fellowship in Addiction Medicine and a new Addiction Medicine consult service. The Department has raised millions of dollars through grants and philanthropy to support the body of work dedicated to reducing health disparities.  Dr. Wender also serves as the Executive Director of Penn’s Center for Public Health.

Dr. Wender spent the first 33 years of his career in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University, including 12 years as the Alumni Professor and Chair of the Department, helping establish that Department as one of the national leaders in family medicine and geriatric education and care.

An expert in cancer screening and prevention, Dr. Wender became the first primary care physician to serve on the National Board of the American Cancer Society, and in 2006 became the first primary care physician elected to serve as National President of the American Cancer Society. From 2013 to 2020, Dr. Wender served as the first Chief Cancer Control Officer of the American Cancer Society. He helped to build a cancer control team that built the first ever National Lung Cancer, National HPV Vaccination Roundtables, and National Patient Navigation catalyzing public health efforts in these areas. From 2013 to 2023, Dr. Wender served as the Chair of the National Colorectal Roundtable and became the national champion and strategic leader of their 80% by 2018 campaign which resulted in 9.3 million more people being up to date with colorectal cancer screening. 80% by 2018 is recognized as one of the most enduring and successful public health campaigns in our nation’s history. He is a co-author of numerous publications related to cancer screening and prevention and the co-author of major cancer screening guidelines for every currently recommended screening target. All his work is anchored in being a family physician. He has been providing primary care in Philadelphia for the past 44 years and continues to provide comprehensive primary care at Penn today.