IDPH Director Dr. Ezike reflects on three years of serving Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic

Posted on March 7, 2022
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ezike spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike is looking back on her time serving the state with only days left in office.

The top doctor led the state through the COVID-19 pandemic but is leaving her post after serving three years in the role for family reasons.

“I said that many times, many days of banging my head against the wall and being so frustrated,” she told WJBC’s, Scott Miller. “(I) felt such a compelling need to continue with my incredible team to try and get us into a better place in the state.”

Ezike’s last day in the office is March 14, with Dr. Amaal Tokars, who is currently the assistant director of IDPH, assuming the role on an interim basis after Dr. Ezike leaves office.

“This has been rough. You know. I’m so glad that people appreciate the work that IDPH and I were able to do, but it’s been heavy. I mean, if we were honest, like, this has been drooling and has taken its toll, and it’s not something you can do indefinitely. So figuring out when to say ‘okay time to be subbed out’ it’s hard. But if there’s ever a time to, I think this is that narrow window.”

According to Gov. Pritzker, his administration is conducting a statewide search for a replacement.

Ezike, married with four kids, is the first Black woman appointed to lead the 143-year old state agency.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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