Mile Square Celebrates Henry Taylor

Posted on October 16, 2024
A white man and two African American men, smiling and posing together behind a wooden captain’s chair that is adorned with a large red ribbon
UIC Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Robert Barish (left) and Mile Square Board President Carl Malone (right) presented Mr. Taylor (center) with an honorary captain’s chair, in recognition of his leadership at MSHC.

On October 9, 2024, the University and Mile Square Health Center community came together along with friends and supporters from around the state to celebrate the retirement of Mr. Henry Taylor, CEO of the Mile Square Health Center clinics. After 28 years of leadership making Mile Square one of the preeminent Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) networks in the nation, Mr. Taylor leaves an extraordinary legacy of contributions towards health equity across the city of Chicago, Cicero and Rockford through his leadership of the 11 Mile Square Federally Qualified Health Centers.

UIC Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Robert Barish, MD, led the program that included tributes from Congressman Danny Davis (7th District Illinois), and Chair of the Mile Square Health Center Board, Mr. Carl Malone. Also present to celebrate Mr. Taylor’s record of accomplishments were many current and past members of the Mile Square Board, including former Cook County Commissioner Mr. Richard Boykin and UIC Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda. The event also featured memorable stories from Mile Square patients, staff and video messages that helped exemplify the profound impact Mr. Taylor has made over the years of his stewardship of the Mile Square Health Center operations.

The tributes over the course of the program had one common denominator – Henry’s devotion to the care providers and staff who have worked at Mile Square during his tenure have all shared a common mission to benefit every patient and make them feel welcome. He fostered an environment of trust and quality that the community has come to expect from the Mile Square Health Center. Indeed, Mr. Taylor has made a difference in the lives of people every day and his legacy will long be a source of inspiration for our community.

Photos from the Celebration Heading link

  6. At left a white man wearing a dark blue suit, striped shirt and blue necktie, at right a Latinx woman wearing a white top and bright red jacket, both standing at a podium and speaking into a microphone
    Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Barish (left) spoke of the lasting impact Mr. Taylor has had during his tenure as MSHC President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chancellor Miranda noted that Mile Square and its mission of community-based health care was one of the things that initially attracted her to UIC.
  7. An older African American man wearing a blue suit and yellow shirt, standing at a podium and speaking into a microphone, gesturing with his hand as he speaks
    Congressman Davis recognized the excellence represented by MSHC, and spoke of his long association with and support of the academic health enterprise at UIC, as well as the Illinois Medical District in general.
  8. An older African American man wearing a gray suit, checked shirt and blue necktie, standing at a podium and speaking into a microphone
    Mile Square Board President Carl Malone recognized Mr. Taylor’s considerable expansion of health center locations, his development of community partnerships and his commitment to Mile Square patients.
  9. : at left, an older African American man wearing a brown plaid jacket and blue shirt standing at a podium and speaking into a microphone, and at right, a man with dark hair and wearing a dark gray suite, white shirt and gray necktie, standing at a podium and speaking into a microphone
    Randy Gibson (left), son of late MSHC board member Ms. Edna Pearce and a Mile Square patient, offered a tribute to Mr. Taylor, and MSHC Chief medical Officer Ian Jasenof spoke of his gratitude for Mr. Taylor’s leadership and vision for improved community health.

About Mile Square Health Center Heading link

looking up at a five story building with modern architecture against a blue sunny sky

Serving over 57,000 unique patients annually through 11 clinics, including school-based health centers, in 52 of Chicago’s 77 community areas, Cicero and Rockford, Illinois, the Mile Square network integrates comprehensive primary care, behavioral health, including substance use disorder, and dental care services for children and adults regardless of their ability to pay.

Modified on October 24, 2024