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.”
