Meet our founders
Gordon L. Chen, MD
Gordon Chen, MD, is the Chief Executive Officer of ThriveWell™, an umbrella company committed to promoting health, wellness, and longevity. The organization employs integrated, holistic offerings through two unique brands that provide concierge-style outcome-based medical care with access to an exclusive facility for motivated adults to maximize their healthspan (BLU By ThriveWell) and a proactive approach to home care that keeps members active, eating right, mentally engaged, and productive (ThriveWell At Home).
Dr. Chen discovered how adults benefit from outcome-based, longevity medicine within a community-based environment focused on purpose, nutrition, movement, and spirituality when he and his family built ChenMed, America's leading primary care provider for older adults. As the organization's Chief Medical Officer, he helped over 200,000 older adults across 15 states significantly improve their outcomes and gain 5-7 healthier years.
Dr. Chen is also an accomplished author, co-writing "The Calling: A Memoir of Family, Faith and the Future of Healthcare," which outlines his family's story and their vision for proactive, transformative care. A graduate of Brown University and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and a preventative cardiology expert, Dr. Chen is deeply involved in charitable work, supporting medical missions in Nicaragua and at-risk youth through his family's non-profit, Youth Impact Center. He is married to his medical school sweetheart, Dr. Jessica Chen, ThriveWell's Chief Health and Wellness Officer and former Chief Clinical Officer of ChenMed. Together, they have four children.
Jessica Chen, MD
Jessica Chen, MD, is the Chief Health and Wellness officer of ThriveWell™, an umbrella company committed to promoting health, wellness, and longevity nationwide. Her mission to enhance people’s well span incorporates a holistic, community-based approach to care that moves beyond a typical clinical setting and focuses on purpose, healthy eating, exercise, spirituality, and preventive medicine. She also incorporates her personal experiences into her work. ThriveWell’s MRS Diet, for example, was inspired by Dr. Chen’s approach to feeding her own family. M, mostly plant-based. R, real whole foods. S, stop eating before you are full.
Dr. Chen perfected her holistic approach to care as the Chief Clinical Officer at ChenMed, a nationally recognized full-risk healthcare organization serving more than 200,000 patients across 15 states. At ChenMed, Dr. Chen helped implement a care model that reduced hospitalization by 30 to 50 percent and helped patients live, on average, five to seven years longer than their non-ChenMed counterparts. She then led the company’s clinical, recruitment, onboarding, training, and leadership programs, inspiring new generations of physicians to achieve the same results through a doctor/patient relationship built on trust and influence. Her efforts to achieve a culture of high-quality outcomes were instrumental in ChenMed being named to Fortune Magazine’s 2020 Change the World list, the only healthcare delivery organization so recognized
.Dr. Jessica Chen holds a doctorate from the University of Miami and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at UM/Jackson Memorial Hospital. She is actively involved in Nicaragua Medical Missions, a Christian non-profit organization that provides medical assistance to underserved communities in Nicaragua. She is married to her medical school sweetheart, Dr. Gordon Chen, ThriveWell’s Chief Executive Officer. Together, they have four children.
Our ThriveWell At Home leadership team
Kandice Paige Stanley
Kandice Paige Stanley, RN, brings over 22 years of diverse healthcare experience to her role as Director of Patient Services at ThriveWell At Home. With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, Kandice's journey began with a heartfelt commitment to serving older adults with warmth and compassion. Throughout her career, Kandice has honed her skills in geriatric care, emphasizing holistic well-being and building trusting relationships with patients and their families. From her early days in the ICU to her leadership roles in medical clinics and surgical center operations, Kandice's dedication to patient-centric care has remained unwavering. In her role, Kandice oversees our ThriveWell Champions (TWC) and ensures that our services are delivered with the highest level of quality and professionalism. She is deeply committed to promoting healthy aging and enhancing the quality of life for older adults, both in her professional endeavors and personal life. Whether it's assisting with activities of daily living, managing chronic illnesses, or offering companionship and emotional support, Kandice and her team approach each interaction with warmth, empathy, and genuine care. Kandice's dedication to excellence and her compassionate approach make her a cherished member of the ThriveWell team. Outside of work, Kandice treasures spending time with her children, which reinforces her commitment to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for our ThriveMembers.
James Buscemi
With over 24 years of diverse industry experience, James Buscemi has dedicated his career to improving home care, driven by personal life experiences with Alzheimer's disease. Witnessing his grandmother's struggle with moderate to severe Alzheimer's and the impact it had on his entire family, particularly watching his mother care for her, ignited his passion for the industry. James recognized the need for effective and compassionate home care and became determined to provide the best service beyond what the market was already delivering. James began his career as an Account Representative at Wall Street Access, where he honed his sales and leadership skills. He then embarked on an eight-year tenure at Forest Laboratories (now Allergan), holding various positions including Regional Sales Trainer, Specialty Sales Rep, Territory Sales Rep, and Division Manager. In 2015, James transitioned into entrepreneurship as the owner and CEO of Home Care Assistance of North Broward, LLC, overseeing all facets of organizational operations. By 2020, he had moved from ownership to a corporate role with Home Care Assistance, now rebranded as TheKey, overseeing the entire Florida region as the Regional Director. As ThriveWell's At Home Administrator and Sales Director, James leverages his extensive experience to optimize our product offerings, refine pricing strategies, and nurture our ThriveWell Growth Champions (our stellar sales team). His leadership ensures sustained growth and success for the organization, driven by a heartfelt commitment to enhancing home care.
Carole Quedena-Watkins
Carole Quedena-Watkins is a seasoned professional with over 17 years in the health industry. She brings a wealth of experience in home care as a compassionate leader dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those she serves. As the Operations Manager for ThriveWell At Home, Carole is committed to providing exceptional care and support, ensuring that each client feels valued and heard. Carole excels in leading customer service operations and improving the quality of care. Her expertise spans across home care management, Medicaid, and Medicare programs, and she is known for her ability to build strong, trusting relationships with both clients and team members. Originally from Peru, Carole received her degree in law before transitioning to the healthcare field. At The Key, as a Client Success Manager, she was instrumental in creating positive client experiences and driving operational efficiency.Beyond her impressive skills in project management, quality assurance, and policy implementation, Carole's true passion lies in making a personal impact.She is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where every ThriveWell AtHome member feels cared for and supported. Carole believes in the power of compassion and personalized care, and she is excited to bring her heart and expertise to ThriveWell At Home. Connect with Carole to see how her dedication to exceptional service can enhance your experience with us.
ThriveWell Champions
At ThriveWell At Home, our caregivers are known as ThriveWell Champions (TWC), and they are carefully selected to embody our core principles of compassion, integrity, and emotional intelligence. Each TWC undergoes rigorous evaluation for their character and commitment to exceptional care, ensuring they prioritize the holistic well-being of older adults.
Our hiring process aligns with our values, emphasizing the importance of the 5 Drivers of Health and Wellness: Personal, Community, Physical, Nutritional, and Spiritual. This focus on holistic well-being fosters a culture of support and empowerment among our TWCs, allowing them to provide the highest level of care to our clients.
In addition to our core values, we are committed to excellence in dementia care. Our comprehensive training program provides ThriveWell Champions with the specialized skills and empathy to support individuals with dementia. This advanced training, coupled with their Home Health Aide (HHA) certification, goes beyond basic education, and equips TWCs with the knowledge and confidence to provide compassionate, person-centered care, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for those living with dementia.
ThriveWell Champions (TWC) at ThriveWell At Home embody a unique set of qualities that define their exceptional caregiving:
- Holistic Care: Prioritizing comprehensive well-being.
- Dependability: Consistently reliable and prepared.
- Warmth & Empathy: Genuine and compassionate interactions.
- Deep Understanding: Tailored, personalized care.
- Spiritual Support: Respectful of individual beliefs.
- Clear Communication: Attentive listening and effective communication.
- Accountability: Ownership and proactive resolution.
- Family Engagement: Transparent and collaborative.
- Continuous Growth: Committed to learning and development.
- Professionalism: Exemplary conduct and representation.
ThriveWell Growth Champions
As the driving force behind our organization's growth, the ThriveWell Growth Champion (TWGC) is dedicated to cultivating relationships with top-level referral sources, uncovering new opportunities, and driving impactful sales and growth initiatives.
With a keen understanding of ThriveWell's At Home product/service offerings and a focus on differentiation, they effectively convey the value of our services to potential
clients.
ThriveWell Growth Champions (TWGC) at ThriveWell At Home embody a unique set of qualities that define them, ensuring unparalleled service delivery and client satisfaction you can rely on:
- Professionalism: Exemplify professionalism in all interactions, reflecting our commitment to excellence.
- Needs Discovery: Discern client needs accurately, tailoring our approach to meet them effectively.
- Resilience: Demonstrate resilience and determination in overcoming obstacles to achieve client satisfaction.
- Authenticity: Embody authenticity, ensuring integrity and sincerity in our service delivery.
- Collaborative Communication: Foster open communication and collaboration within the team for optimal client support.
