By Latiifah Amusan
Dr. Olusimbo Ige, a Nigerian woman, has been appointed the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), making her the first black female to hold this esteemed position.
Dr. Ige with an impressive academic background, earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, as well as her Master of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Ibadan.
She further honed her expertise with a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Ige served as the Managing Director of Programs at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and held the position of Assistant Commissioner for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene from 2020 to 2023.
Commending this achievement, Chathe irman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, labeled Dr. Ige’s appointment as “extraordinary.”
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the impact of Nigerians in the Diaspora, urging Dr. Ige to inspire other young Nigerian professionals to excel in their careers.
Dr. Ige’s previous role in New York City showcased her commitment to equity and community engagement.
She developed a community health worker program focused on outreach and engagement with Black communities, and spearheaded efforts for vaccine equity across the city.
