Near North Health is one of the oldest providers of community-based primary health care in Chicago.
We provide holistic medical, social, and nutrition services to Chicago families, regardless of their zip code, citizenship, or insurance status.
Our work in Chicago is grounded in our beliefs:
- We believe dignity is a basic human right.
- We believe everyone deserves good health.
- We believe good health includes body, mind, and community.
- We believe the way to lead our community is to learn from it.
- We believe in bringing our best to every patient, every day.
- We believe unbiased care begins with active listening.
- We believe that trust is earned, and that questions deserve answers.
- We believe in creative solutions and bold innovation.
- We believe that, together, we can transform our collective quality of life for the better.
Our Leadership Team
Tristé Lieteau Smith, MD, JD
At the end of 2022 in November, Near North Health welcomed a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Tristé Lieteau Smith. Dr. Smith is taking the reins from retiring Berneice Mills-Thomas, who led the organization since 1991, first as Executive Director before becoming CEO in 2000.
Dr. Smith had previously served in a variety of senior leadership roles at Near North, including as the Chief Strategy Officer since 2021. Prior to joining Near North, she was the Executive Director of Strategy and Innovation in the Urban Health Initiative at UChicago Medicine after serving as the Chief Integrity Executive at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
“Dr. Smith has shown exceptional leadership since she started at Near North. Now she will use those leadership skills – strategic vision, transformational leadership style, outstanding communication and authentic listening skills, and deep passion for the wellbeing of our employees and the communities we serve – to guide Near North into the future.”
— Clarence Burch, Chair of Near North Health Board of Directors
As CEO, Dr. Smith will draw upon an extensive background in community and government relations, compliance, public health, and a deep knowledge of healthcare strategy to position NNH for the future. Dr. Smith received her M.D. from Harvard University Medical School and holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago.
Dr. Smith shares her vision for continuing the Near North’s legacy of leading innovation in community health care: “We will set a new standard of care in our city – care that restores dignity to the neighborhoods that need it most by providing access not just to medicine, but to nutrition, mental health resources, community connection, and authentic compassion. I am proud to continue the fight of the heath center movement in advancing health equity and improving the health and wellness of our patients, our communities and our city.”
Stephanie Low, MD
Dr. Stephanie Low is a Family Medicine Physician with over a decade of experience in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). As an employee, a student, a physician and a healthcare executive, Dr. Low has been involved in the Health Center Movement for the past 17 years, and has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the mission of providing high quality, comprehensive healthcare to all people, towards a goal of health equity for all.
In her previous role, she served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of a FQHC serving new immigrants, refugees, and migrant farmworkers throughout Minnesota and North Dakota. During her time in Minnesota, Dr. Low was a tireless advocate for access to comprehensive healthcare services for all patients, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, advocating at the federal, state and local levels, and utilizing ingenuity to bridge gaps in access for her clinic system. Dr. Low completed her medical degree at Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, and her Family Medicine Residency training at West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, IL. She finished her training with a fourth year Chief Residency and Faculty Development Program. Dr. Low lives in Oak Park with her husband and two sons and enjoys traveling, cooking and exploring the awesome city of Chicago while experiencing delicious food from many cultures. She is thrilled about the opportunity to join the Near North Health community and aid in the mission to reimagine community health.
LaKeda Simpson
LaKeda Simpson is an accomplished executive in the field of Human Resources. She has a Masters in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources, as well as a robust background in education and administration. Prior to her role at Near North Health, Ms. Simpson spearheaded initiatives to diversify the workplace and attract top talent as a Diversity Hiring Specialist. She managed personnel services as Chief Human Resource Officer for a large public school district, serving thousands of students and supporting 1400 staff members. While there, she co-chaired the district’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Leadership Committee, actively driving initiatives to create a more inclusive work environment.
Ms. Simpson brings a deep knowledge in negotiation, program development, and compliance to her role as Executive Director of Human Resources here at Near North Health. Her proficiency in optimizing operational processes and ability to resolve a wide range of employee grievances with impartiality and equity reflects her commitment to ensuring a harmonious workplace. Ms Simpson is dedicated to driving positive change, fostering inclusivity, and helping Near North Health continue our mission to care for our employees, and the people they serve, with fairness and dignity.
Board of Directors
Mr. Clarence Burch
Chairperson
Mr. David Delgado
Chair Elect
Mrs. Carlette Seifullah
Vice Chair
Ms. Patricia Cornelius-Woods
Treasurer
Mr. Leroy Duncan
Assistant Treasurer
Mr. Samuel Rosa
Secretary
Mr. Abraham A. Miller
Assistant Secretary
Ms. Akofa Bonsi-Walless
Dr. Rosanna Barrera
Mr. Norman H. Bolden III
Ms. Valerie Brown
Mr. Ken Dunkin
Mr. John Salay
Mr. James Simmons
Dr. Pablo O. Torres-Vazquez
Ms. Joyce Tucker
Jill Gewargis
Jill Keats
Christina (Tina) Pell-Doyle
