Illinois’ top doctor Ngozi Ezike is being wooed to lead a Chicago health system Sinai Chicago

Sinai Chicago on the West and Southwest sides is hunting to woo Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the director of the Illinois Division of Community Wellness who has aided shepherd the condition by way of the COVID-19 pandemic, to develop into president and CEO.

The Sinai board of administrators has been approved to negotiate an give with Ezike, WBEZ has learned. Ezike would replace Karen Teitelbaum, who is stepping down after steering Sinai since 2014.

By way of a spokeswoman, Ezike stated she’s not asserting any potential strategies.

In a cellphone get in touch with, a Sinai spokesman initially explained, “I’m not in a position to make an announcement.” In a observe-up e mail, he said the board has been performing with an govt recruitment firm that during the tumble and winter vetted internal and exterior candidates nationwide.

“We are confident that these initiatives will outcome in a competent and capable leader with each the vision and enthusiasm to guidebook Sinai Chicago into its second century of service,” the spokesman reported.

Sinai is a so-referred to as basic safety web that treats generally lower-money Black and Latino clients at its two major hospitals — Mt. Sinai and Holy Cross, Illinois general public health data present. The nonprofit overall health system has a rich legacy in Chicago, treating individuals for more than a century. In the early 1900s, Sinai set up a healthcare facility to take care of Japanese European Jewish immigrants and to coach Jewish medical professionals who have been denied individuals opportunities somewhere else, in accordance to the wellness system.

Numerous well known and linked leaders have served on Sinai’s board about the a long time, like former Chicago deputy mayor Steven Koch and Susan Sher, who was previous Very first Girl Michelle Obama’s main of workers.

Besides its two primary hospitals, Sinai has many community clinics. Its study arm, Sinai City Well being Institute, is nicely regarded for teaching an military of community health and fitness staff who assistance connect with close by residents who experience from some of the worst health disparities in Chicago.

Ezike became 1 of the most regarded community faces all through the pandemic. She’s been a frequent fixture at Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s information conferences, as he current the public about the rollercoaster of cases, hospitalizations and deaths from the virus about the very last two yrs. Ezike sent psychological, empathetic speeches in both English and Spanish, imploring Illinoisans to do their part to support prevail over the virus.

In a heartfelt goodbye, Ezike announced previously this week that she prepared to depart the Illinois Section of General public Overall health on March 14. She spoke extremely of her team of “unsung heroes,” and of the citizens who have supported her throughout the pandemic.

“I definitely obtained the renewing energy that men and women all across Illinois despatched me by way of their prayers,” Ezike mentioned. “All of the people and all of their tales I will carry generally in my heart.”

She arrived at the office about 3 years back. She’s an internist and pediatrician who invested much more than 15 yrs at Cook County’s govt-operate wellness method, the biggest protection net in the region for clients who are small-income or uninsured.

Kristen Schorsch handles community wellness and Cook dinner County on WBEZ’s government and politics desk. Abide by her on Twitter @kschorsch.