Meet Dr. Chesda Eng: Forward’s Newest Physician in Orange County
Forward is the new approach to primary care, offering customized plans to help you control the future of your health. Today, we sit down with Chesda Eng, the first physician at our upcoming Orange County location, to hear his take on tech-enabled, member-centered healthcare.
We’re thrilled to introduce Dr. Chesda Eng — the first physician at our upcoming Orange County location in Fashion Island. Chesda is a board certified internist who completed his training in primary care at NYU. His focus is on preventative health and management of chronic diseases.
What first drew you to practice medicine?
I was a sophomore in college when I was diagnosed with an acute, rare disease. I had to withdraw from school that semester, uncertain if I would return. I eventually did make a full recovery and the experience of going through this illness allowed me to understand the impact health professionals can make in other’s lives. The desire to reciprocate was my motivation for pursuing a career in medicine.
What areas of interest do you have as a physician?
I have an interest in promoting preventative health and chronic disease management, with a keen interest in smoking cessation.
What do you value most in your relationships with members?
I take great joy in getting to know members on a personal level, not just a constellation of their diagnoses. I am grateful to be in a role where members can share the most intimate aspects of their lives, and entrust me to guide them through difficult times. It makes partnering with them to achieve their health goals even more fulfilling.
What is your experience with the current healthcare industry? Where would you most like to see improvements or changes?
While I felt fulfilled at my previous job, I thought there were many things that could be improved system-wide to make the experience better for everybody. We are spending more money on healthcare without seeing improved outcomes; physicians are being asked to take on more administrative tasks while simultaneously seeing more patients with less time; and outdated technology often times becomes a hindrance to providing quality care.
I would like to see more focus on preventative care to reduce healthcare costs and improve health outcomes, leveraging technology to reduce administrative burden and allow physicians to spend more time with members, and empowering members to be an active agent in advancing their health and wellness. I believe Forward is a prime example of this model, and I’m excited to be part of this change.
Why did you decide to join Forward?
I wanted to be a part of rebuilding primary care from the ground up. I believe in Forward’s mission of providing high quality, cost effective care to as many people as possible; and the use of the most advanced technology provides me with the best possible information, enabling me to build the best care plans for my members. The people that I have met here at Forward are passionate about building something extraordinary.
What are a few fun facts about you that our members might not know?
- I was born on the day Mount St. Helens erupted. My mother’s name is Helen.
- My favorite English word is sesquipedalian. It is self-describing.
- I am a Disneyland Annual Passholder. I frequently run into members at the park. Say “hi” if you see me there!
- I am a University of Michigan football fan. Go Blue!
