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Medical student's plan scripted for success
(by Sue Hoffman - January 26, 2011)
Medical student's plan scripted for success
By SUE HOFFMAN
For Chagrin Falls High School 2001 alumnus Benjamin Preyss, the search for the best way to treat low-income patients medically has brought awards, involvement and promise.
Mr. Preyss, a fourth-year medical student and master's in business administration candidate at the University of Illinois at Chicago, said he believes that people of limited means can often be best served in a faith-based community health-care center.
From some of the poorest areas in the city, "most now go to Cook County Hospital and wait long hours in an emergency room," he said. A community health-care facility in a local faith-based setting would greatly enhance their care, he said.
Mr. Preyss recently wrote a business plan with two other students with that theme and entered it into the University of Illinois' Concept 2 Venture Business Plan Competition. Competing against some 17 entries, their plan won first place. The group received a $5,000 top prize in the graduate division, plus $1,000 for non-business majors and $1,000 for the best social venture.
"We deeply cared about our business and its potential, and that came through in every aspect of the competition," Mr. Preyss said.
In their 40-page plan, Mr. Preyss and his co-writers focused on Humboldt Park, "an incredibly diverse community" on the northwest side of Chicago, he said. The area includes some 40 percent Hispanic, 40 percent African-American and 20 percent a mixture of various ethnic groups.
Mr. Preyss' wife, Melissa, was born and raised in Humboldt, he said.
With a high teen birth rate, prevalence of gangs and other social ills, "It's a very low-income community that suffers from some of the worst health outcomes," he said. "As a physician and health-care provider, you're dealing with social issues in addition to health.
"A church is often best equipped to handle the social issues," he said. "There's a natural fit between faith and healing," although the faith aspect is optional to patients.
Mr. Preyss and his co-writers found New Life Community Church, a nondenominational Christian church in Humboldt Park, to be the best setting for health care in the community. He said church officials "are actively involved with the people and thought there was a real need for a health care setting in the community."
The three students contributed their winnings to help get the plan off the ground. "The competition was more a way to secure some financial support," Mr. Preyss said. "We're moving forward.
"There's still a lot of work to be done and support to raise, but it's been great," he said about the project. "The church is excited, the community is excited, and it's starting to consume my life."
His direct involvement as a physician will be on hold for three years, as he does his residency in family medicine. "I'll help with the administrative part," he said.
Mr. Preyss' interest in medicine began in high school, he said. "I really enjoyed the sciences. As I look back at my education in Chagrin, I'm so thankful for the foundation I was given there."
The son of Jerry and Nancie Preyss, of South Russell, he also enjoyed the family's membership in Fellowship Bible Church in Bainbridge.
He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago, For two years, he worked for a health-care consulting firm, which served underserved and low-income communities.
Mr. Preyss said his interest in both patient care and the administrative side of health care led to his pursuit of both the MD and MBA degrees. He is one of three students at the university with that double major.
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