For Dr. Ngozi Ezike, becoming a doctor was her destiny. It was the path her father encouraged her to take from a young age and she was a willing participant who really wanted to do something to help people and make a true difference in their lives. Throughout her career, she stayed focus on that personal mission which put her on a pathway into public health and leadership.
“As a woman of color and a child of immigrants, Dr. Ezike knows the challenges of underserved minority and immigrant communities,” said her staff. “Over the years, she realized that she could have impact, not just as a provider of care, but also as a role model.”
Now, as the president and CEO of Sinai Chicago, Dr. Ezike is committed to driving the organization’s efforts in support of thriving communities.
For over 104 years, Sinai Chicago has provided care for the most underserved communities in Chicago and is particularly sensitive to the needs of the uninsured and under-insured populations. The organization’s service area is home to more than 1.5 million people, many of whom face a historic legacy of health inequity with disproportionate shares of chronic health conditions, violence, transportation challenges, as well as economic and education disparities.
Sinai is comprised of three hospitals, over 300 specialty physicians, a Level I trauma center, a Level III NICU, a network of free standing and specialty clinics, a research institute and a social service organization.
Dr. Ezike’s journey has earned her notability as a trailblazer. She is a board-certified internist and pediatrician, was the first Black woman appointed as Medical Director of Illinois Department of Public Health and she helped lead the State of Illinois through the worst public health emergency in a century during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, she became the first Black woman to lead Sinai Chicago in the system’s 104-year history.
“At Sinai, she has continued her life’s work of fighting for health equity and servicing those in need,” said her colleagues. “She leads the strategic direction for the system, focused on a mission of serving our patients and communities, working to not just heal wounds, but also address the root cause of the hurt and distress.”
Under Dr. Ezike’s leadership, Sinai has developed community partnerships and collaborations that have led to new patient transportation options, investment in housing projects and expansion of community health worker programs. Over 48 percent of Sinai leaders are minorities and 60 percent of senior leadership are women.
“Dr. Ezike is a dynamic and driven leader who is committed to setting an example for the next generation of healthcare leaders and professionals,” said her staff. For her commitment to advancing healthcare while serving the community, Dr. Ezike has been named a titan.
