Impact of Benefis Foundation Inspires Physician

As he works from his office on the top floor of the Benefs Women’s and Children’s Center, Jeffery Palen, DO, can see the new Goodnow Healthy Aging Center take shape.

“Benefis is a forward-looking place,” he said.

Dr. Palen helped design the Women’s and Children’s Center, and one of his priorities was a space for medical students, who had been in a repurposed broom closet before the center opened in 2021. He works next to their upgraded room and
sees how bustling it is – and has watched those students develop into providers here.

“The Women’s and Children’s Center is welcoming, modern, and convenient for families. They see familiar faces and get familiar with the location,” he said. “I’ve been with Benefis more than a decade and seen what we do grow tremendously, and
it really is beneficial to patients.”

Dr. Palen is a donor to Benefis Foundation at the Healing Society member level. He chooses to give to the Greatest Need Fund.

“Benefis Foundation knows better than I would where the money should go, and every fund does amazing things,” he said. “I see the benefits of what the Foundation does every day.”

Dr. Palen mentioned his patients with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit who have benefited from stays at Gift of Life and new equipment in the NICU as recent examples of patients benefiting from the Foundation’s philanthropy.

“The need is tremendous, and we are happy the Foundation is here,” he said. “Benefis as a whole really lives our mission statement – ‘We provide excellent care for all, healing body, mind, and spirit’ – in ways I haven’t seen elsewhere.”