CHICAGO CITY HALL (WBBM Newsradio) -- Mayor Brandon Johnson's selection to be Chicago's top doctor is a step closer to getting that job, after his nomination was advanced by members of a City Council committee.
Aldermen on the Health and Human Relations Committee praised Rush Health chief medical officer Dr. Garth Walker for his qualifications and his focus on improving health disparities between communities during Tuesday's confirmation hearing. Dr. Walker was the deputy director of the Illinois Department of Public Health at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and later served as an adviser to the Biden Administration before joining Rush Health.
He told committee members that his journey in public health began in AmeriCorps, when he helped connect parents in Washington D-C with medical resources: "It was during that time that I figured out what kind of physician I wanted to be."
He also talked about another foundational experience as a senior resident, when a friend died as a result of gender-based violence.
"That experience encouraged me to work nationally on different type of policy to advance our country to reduce gun violence," he said.
"I've never seen a resume six pages long," said Southwest side Ald. Ray Lopez, a frequent mayoral critic, who said Dr. Walker brought "a breath of fresh air" to the department, and urged him to seek out partnerships with City Council.
"We do want your department to be successful," said Ald. Lopez (15th Ward). "But we can't have your department be siloed."
Dr. Walker's selection appears poised for final approval by City Council on Wednesday. He would replace Dr. Olusimbo Ige, who stepped down in May following reports that CDPH was forced to return millions of dollars in expiring and unused federal health policy grants.
Rush Health chief medical officer praised for experience, focus
Rush Health chief medical officer praised for experience, focus
