by Leisle Chung
Vanguard’s mission is to make a positive impact on our patients, our community, and our world. We use the word “impact” because when two objects collide, they change each other’s trajectory. This simple idea is at the heart of what we strive for at Vanguard Skin Specialists.
We believe that every encounter is an opportunity to make a difference… to help change the trajectory of someone’s life for the better. And along the way, we find that our own lives are also changed.
Seventeen years ago, my husband, Dr. Vinh Chung, and I founded Vanguard with this vision: a medical practice where patients would receive exceptional care and every person would be treated with humility and kindness. My husband led our medical care as our founding physician, while I helped build and lead the organization as CEO.
From the beginning, we believed in the importance of independent, physician-led medicine. We wanted to create a practice where doctors and advanced practice practitioners could focus on what matters most: their patients. That conviction remains central to who we are today. Vanguard continues to be independent and physician-led.
We never imagined that our small practice would grow to 10 locations across Southern Colorado. That growth has been possible because of the extraordinary physicians, providers, and team members who have joined us over the years because they believe in our mission.
As I step down from my role as CEO, I do so with gratitude and confidence in Vanguard’s future. I am delighted to pass the baton to Kevin Hoffmann, who has served as our Chief Operating Officer for the past year. Kevin brings a strong background in healthcare leadership and business. But most importantly, he sees medicine as a calling.
While my role is changing, Dr. Vinh Chung will continue caring for patients and providing physician leadership at Vanguard. He remains wholly committed to ensuring that our doctors have a strong voice in shaping our practice and that our clinical excellence, values, and mission remain at the heart of everything we do.
To our patients, thank you for entrusting us with your care and for allowing us to be part of your lives. Your trust is something we have never taken for granted.
Over the past 17 years, I have learned that the greatest measure of our work has been the relationships along the way.
My hope is that Vanguard has helped change the trajectory of your life for the better, even in some small way. I know that you have changed mine.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Leisle Chung
Co-Founder, Former CEO, Forever Vanguard
While leadership changes, one conviction remains at the heart of who we are.
“The only thing that matters is the people. That’s it. … It’s the relationships that we have and our ability to impact other people’s lives.” – Leisle Chung
