Moments that matter

When Dr. Lorna Fitzpatrick -  a Buffalo-based pediatric oncologist and vice president of medical affairs at Univera Healthcare - traveled to Kenya for the first time 14 years ago, she carried with her the same purpose that has guided her entire career; a belief that every child deserves a chance at health, healing and hope.

Once there, that purpose deepened. She saw firsthand a critical gap. Children with cancer had almost no access to care close to home, leaving families in impossible situations.

“That realization stays with you,” Dr. Fitzpatrick says. “No child’s chance to live should depend on where they are born.”

She visits Kenya about once a year with her husband, Dr. Veetai Li, a pediatric neurosurgeon. And some of the most meaningful moments came when she brought her daughter Cathleen along.

“I want my children to understand that caring for others is part of who we are,” she says. “Seeing it firsthand helps turn compassion into action.”

Sharing knowledge to improve care

Determined to make a lasting difference, she began working beside the local doctors and nurses, focusing on building care that would be led by the community itself.

From there, education that would enhance and ensure better care for the children became a natural and essential next step. “The most meaningful change happens when you invest in people,” Dr. Fitzpatrick shared. “When communities are supported, they become stronger from within.”

Staying connected, no matter the distance

Even when she’s back in Buffalo Dr. Fitzpatrick says staying closely involved with the doctors and community in Kenya is important and vital. Through regular virtual conversations and discussions with the team in Africa, she offers guidance, answers questions, and continues learning alongside them.

Why this matters to us

What began with helping one child has grown into a lifeline for hundreds.

Dr. Fitzpatrick’s journey is more than a story of medical outreach — it’s a reflection of who we are as a local nonprofit health plan. Our mission extends far beyond providing coverage. We offer compassion, community, and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

These are the Moments That Matter, when one person chooses to help, when a community comes together, and when care reaches beyond boundaries to change lives. They remind us why we do this work and how, together, we can make a lasting difference.  

Contact:
Kimberlee Hickok kimberlee.hickok@univerahealthcare.com