Mayor Johnson names Dr. Garth Walker to lead Chicago Department of Public Health

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has named Dr. Garth Walker as his choice to lead the Chicago Department of Public Health, putting the current chief medical officer of Rush Health in line to become the city's next public health commissioner.

Walker, who was named to the position by the mayor Tuesday, said he is honored by the appointment and eager for the opportunity.

"I feel honored and privileged to, to be selected, and I'm looking forward to continuing this nomination," Walker said.

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Walker currently serves as chief medical officer for Rush Health, a network of physicians and hospitals that includes Rush University Medical Center. His medical career began in Chicago and later took him to Washington, D.C., before he returned to his hometown.

During an interview Wednesday, Walker discussed how his experiences as a physician have shaped his views on public health, including the effects of gun violence on individuals and communities.

"when we talk about gun violence, I was an emergency physician that had to call the death of one of my best friends from intimate partner violence," Walker said.

In 2018, Walker was working in the emergency room at UChicago Medicine when his friend, Dr. Tamara O'Neal, was shot outside Mercy Hospital and later died.

Walker said the incident prompted him to seek support. If approved as commissioner, he said he would consider expanding or increasing access to mental health services in communities that have seen clinics close.

"I think more people that are able to talk about it, more people that are able to see strong people and professional people that need it, uh, I think leads to more people adopting it and more people seeing how important that really is and why is," Walker said.

A spokesperson for the mayor's office confirmed that former Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige was asked to resign.

Walker is expected to face questions from alderpersons about his priorities and ideas for improving health care access and outcomes for Chicago residents. He said providing information through trusted sources is an important part of improving public health outreach.

Walker, the son of Jamaican parents, lives in Hyde Park with his wife, young sons and in-laws.

"making sure that people can hear that voice and hear it coming from, uh, a trusted voice, uh, and inspire them to be able to educate themselves, their family members, as well as their neighbors," Walker said.

Walker's appointment is scheduled to be introduced at the City Council's Health and Human Relations Committee meeting next Tuesday. The nomination is expected to go before the full City Council on Wednesday for a vote.