One of the leaders of Illinois' response to the pandemic will be the featured speaker for Knox College's commencement in June. Tuesday the college announced the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Doctor Ngozi Ezike, will speak to graduates and their families on June 5th.
An internist and pediatrician, she also is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Rush Medical College in Chicago. Before joining the state health department, Ezike worked for the Cook County Department of Public Health for 15 years and served as medical director at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. She also provided primary and preventive care in community and school-based clinics.
She earned her degrees from Harvard University and the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
Past commencement speakers at Knox College have included actors, politicians, journalists, poets, generals, and comedians.
