Chris Funes, MD, wears many hats as a Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System team member.
For 22 years, Dr. Funes has been a pediatrician at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Pediatrics at Southeast. He serves as our health system’s medical director for ambulatory quality and is president of Health Leaders Network (HLN), our system’s value-based care network.
Honoring His Hispanic Heritage
Dr. Funes’ father is from Honduras in Central America, and his mother is from Colombia in South America. His father came to the U.S. for college, and his mom has been here since she was 7.
“Family means everything to me,” Dr. Funes says. “We grew up having large family gatherings with my mom’s family every Christmas, where we spent the break in Florida with my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents.”
Following in His Dad’s Footsteps
With a career path inspired by his father, Dr. Funes has carried out a family tradition by helping parents raise their kids to become healthy, responsible, productive and caring adults.
“My dad is a pediatrician, and I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a pediatrician as well,” Dr. Funes says. “I loved how he became a part of his patients’ families, a trusted advisor, helping parents raise their kids.”
His family background also enables Dr. Funes to provide care in two languages.
“I grew up with Spanish as my first language at home, and I still speak it every day with many of my patients,” Dr. Funes says. “I’m still passionate about serving those patients who often struggle to find a doctor who can speak to them in Spanish.”
Keeping Connections Through Food
Food is a way to connect, both to our own culture and to experience others’ cultures.
“My mom used to make arróz con pollo (chicken and rice) pretty often when we were growing up,” Dr. Funes says. “That was always a favorite—a real ‘comfort’ meal.”
Our DEI Commitment
Our ministry’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion supports culturally competent care education for our team members all year long, including during Hispanic Heritage Month each September 15 to October 15.
