New Executive Director of the Mile Square Health Center
Announcing Karriem Watson as New Executive Director Heading link
It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Karriem Watson, DHSc, MS, MPH, as the new Executive Director of the UI Health Mile Square Health Center, effective December 1, 2024, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. After an extensive national search, Watson was identified among a strong group of candidates to lead our Federally Qualified Health Center network of clinics that serve communities and neighborhoods across Chicago and Rockford.
Watson comes from immediate experience as the Chief Engagement Officer for The All of Us Research Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In this national role, he led the program’s efforts to foster relationships with participants, communities, researchers, and providers across the United States to help build one of the largest, most diverse health databases of its kind to study health and illness. His focus in this role has been to connect with people and populations underrepresented in scientific research, while inviting them to participate in the development and discovery of new therapeutics and models of care.
Prior to this role with the NIH, Watson spent over 15 years as a community-engaged research scientist with the Mile Square Health Center FQHC network and the Chicagoland area. Previously, he was the Associate Executive Director at Mile Square, while also serving as the associate director of community outreach and engagement for the University of Illinois Cancer Center and as a research assistant professor in the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health. Beyond his work with UIC, he has served as co-lead of the All of Us Engagement Core at the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, cultivating positive relationships with the program’s participant ambassadors.
Watson received a Doctorate in Health Science (concentration in global health), a Master of Science in Basic Medical Research, and a Master in Public Health, with a community health sciences concentration. He has served as a principal investigator on multiple projects including those funded by the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, PCORI, and The All of Us Research Program. His expertise in community-academic partnerships is also supported in his former role as board chair of the Community Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH). His contributions have earned him recognition by the Chicago Urban League, American Heart Association, LUNGevity Foundation, and others.
I would like to thank the leadership of the Mile Square Health Center, its Board and the members of the search committee, led by the committee chairs: UIC School of Public Health Dean, Wayne Giles, MD, and MSHC Board Chair, Mr. Carl Marlone, who were able to make this search a success.
Finally, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the retiring Mile Square Health Center, Executive Director, Mr. Henry Taylor. After more than 28 years of distinguished service to our patients and community, he has helped grow the care offerings and national reputation of the Mile Square Health Center to be among the most prominent in the country.
Please join me in congratulating Mr. Watson on this appointment as he assumes this role during this transition later this year. We are thrilled that he will be re-joining our UI Health community in this next step in his exceptional career.
Sincerely,
Robert Barish, MD, MBA
UIC Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
Celebrating the Retirement and Legacy of Henry Taylor Heading link
The UIC and Mile Square Health Center community came together on October 9, 2024, along with friends and supporters from around the state to celebrate the retirement of Mr. Henry Taylor, executive director of the Mile Square Health Center clinics. After 28 years of leadership making Mile Square among the most notable Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) networks in the nation, Mr. Taylor leaves an extraordinary legacy of contributions towards health equity across the cities of Chicago, Cicero and Rockford through his leadership of the 11 Mile Square locations.