Cherokee Health Systems’ partner, MAVEN Project, receives $1.3 million donation from tech entrepreneur Amy Buckner Chowdhry
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., May 13, 2025 — One of Cherokee Health Systems' partners, MAVEN Project, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to high-quality comprehensive health care for underserved communities, has announced it received a substantial charitable gift of real estate valued at $1.3 million from Amy Buckner Chowdhry, a tech entrepreneur and philanthropist who lives in Nashville.
In December 2024, Chowdhry donated a parcel of land (located in Mill Valley, CA) so that MAVEN Project could benefit from the sale.
The proceeds will help advance MAVEN Project’s efforts to connect clinicians at community clinics in East Tennessee such as Cherokee Health System with a virtual network of medical experts across more than 70 specialties.
Serving about 70,000 patients annually, Cherokee Health Systems, will receive funding to access MAVEN Project services and to subsidize the time for its staff to participate in MAVEN Project educational activities. In addition, funding will support the expansion of MAVEN Project services to the Blount County Health Department and Dayspring Health, two community health centers in rural and medically underserved areas.
“We are honored to be part of this transformative initiative made possible by Amy Buckner Chowdhry’s incredible generosity and MAVEN Project’s visionary leadership. At Cherokee Health Systems, we know firsthand the impact that access to high-quality specialty care and clinician support can have in rural and underserved communities. This gift will empower our clinicians through ongoing education,” says Dr. Parinda Khatri, CEO of Cherokee Health Systems.
Tennessee currently ranks 44th in health outcomes according to the 2023 America's Health Rankings report and 36th in child well-being, according to the 2023 KIDS COUNT Data Book, a 50-state report of recent household data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how children and families are faring. The funds will also help integrate new technology into the MAVEN Project platform and expand core programming, including a new Learning Management System (LMS) online to reduce barriers to clinicians accessing clinical education. It will also be used to support improvements in the Community Portal, the one-stop-shop where clinicians can access all MAVEN Project resources. Finally, it will enhance usability and performance features of the platform as well as integration with existing clinical workflows through EMR integrations.
“We have stronger, more resilient communities when every individual can bring their best selves to their families and neighbors. And we have a moral responsibility to ensure that all Americans have access to necessary health care when and where they need it,” Buckner Chowdhry says. “I’ve been so impressed and inspired by MAVEN Project’s model. They connect medical specialists who have the need, capacity and desire to give back to communities with the most need. I see enormous potential in their digital platform and their mission.”
“We are deeply grateful for Amy’s donation, which will not only allow us to expand our services to more communities but also bring resources and relationships that will empower local health care providers across the U.S.,” says Meredith Schanda, chief operating officer of MAVEN Project. “Her generosity reflects an extraordinary commitment to addressing health care inequality at its roots, with holistic, sustainable solutions. We are thrilled to partner with Amy in tackling these challenges head-on, ensuring that every community can experience the health and well-being they deserve."
To learn more about the many ways people can give to MAVEN Project, go to mavenproject.org/donate.
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About Cherokee Health Systems
Cherokee Health Systems (CHS) serves a broad geographic area across Tennessee, with a significant presence in eastern regions of the state. CHS operates 19 health centers, complemented by telehealth services and a mobile unit, to provide comprehensive healthcare to diverse communities. MAVEN Project works with all Cherokee Health Systems care delivery sites.
Since 1960, CHS has been committed to ensuring Tennesseans receive access to effective, high-quality care. CHS is a Federally Qualified Health Center that serves 70,000 people annually. It offers a wide array of comprehensive health services, including primary care, behavioral health, optometry, dental and pharmacy. All of its services are available to children, adults and seniors on an ability to pay basis. CHS accepts TennCare (Medicaid) and Medicare.
About Amy Buckner Chowdhry
Buckner Chowdhry is founder and board chair of AnswerLab, a tech user experience research firm in San Francisco. She spent her childhood in East Tennessee and recently returned. She aims to help improve well-being throughout the state by resourcing
communities to address health care disparities, nutrition, mental health support, and youth services.
In addition to her work with MAVEN Project, Buckner Chowdhry supports Tremont Institute, a youth camp encouraging discovery and connection with nature, Blount County Education Fund, and New Hope Blount County Children's Advocacy Center, which supports children who have experienced abuse. She is also founder and president of Full Belly Farm, her private foundation, which aims to address food deserts and hunger in East Tennessee.
About MAVEN Project
MAVEN Project is a 501c3 nonprofit expanding access to high-quality comprehensive health care in under-resourced communities across the U.S.
It virtually connects its network of volunteer medical experts across more than 70 specialties to provide immediate and long-term support for clinicians working in safety net clinics and community health centers — resulting in higher-quality, lower-cost care delivered locally to under-resourced patients. For more information, go to mavenproject.org.
