Pritzker Tabs Southern Illinois Doc As New Health Department Director

SPRINGFIELD, IL ­— Months after the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health stepped down after guiding the state through the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has a new leader after being appointed Tuesday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Dr. Sameer Vohra, the founding chair of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine’s Department of Population Science and Policy, has been appointed as IDPH’s new director. Vohra replaces Dr. Ngozi Ezike, who stepped down from the role in March.

Vohra, who is described as a distinguished pediatrician and healthcare policy expert, was pegged for the role by Pritzker, who called Vohra “accomplished in every sense of the word.”

“His experience and education transcend sectors and fields, bringing a well-rounded perspective to this agency,” Pritzker said in a news release Tuesday naming the appointment. “As a leader in state and national health policy, I have absolute confidence in Dr. Vohra’s ability to continue shaping a stronger IDPH for the 21st century.”

Vohra is a general pediatrician who holds degrees in law and public policy, the release said. He is a cross-disciplinary leader in state and national health policy formulation, and his recent focus has been on improving health outcomes in Central and Southern Illinois.

An Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Public Health, Medical Humanities, and Law at SIU-SOM, Vohra is a general pediatrician who holds degrees in law and public policy. He is a cross-disciplinary leader in state and national health policy formulation, and his recent focus has been on improving health outcomes in Central and Southern Illinois.

An Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Public Health, Medical Humanities, and Law at SIU-SOM, he currently serves the State of Illinois as the Interim Chair of the Children’s Mental Health Partnership.

Vohra completed a residency in pediatrics at the University of Chicago and earned a Master of Arts in public policy from the University of Chicago, the release said. He also holds a medical doctorate from SIU’s School of Medicine, a Juris doctorate from SIU School of Law graduating first in his class, and a Bachelor of Arts in political science and science in human culture with honors from Northwestern University.

"I am humbled that the governor has entrusted me to serve the people of our State as the 20th Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health,” Vohra said. “Governor Pritzker, along with the dedicated staff of IDPH, have served our state admirably during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am honored to lead this agency into the future, continuing to keep us safe from emerging illnesses, supporting our public health workers, and promoting wellness in every community across Illinois."

The state health department has been led on an interim basis by Amaal Tokars, the department’s assistant director since Ezike stepped down as the director of the agency. The department said that Tokars will remain in his role as assistant director moving forward.

“It has been my great honor to serve the people of Illinois and Governor Pritzker as leader of IDPH during this interim period at a time when we are facing public health challenges on a number of fronts,” Tokars said.

“I applaud Governor Pritzker’s appointment of Dr. Vohra, a distinguished leader in the healthcare policy arena who is well-known among Illinois stakeholders for his expertise and dedication to improving health outcomes and addressing healthcare disparities that have been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”