Cook County Health (CCH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Daniel McCormick as the Executive Chief Clinical Officer and Dr. Lauren Smith as Chief Medical Officer. CCH is one of the largest public health systems in the country.

Dr. McCormick’s appointment as Executive Chief Clinical Officer marks the creation of a new role within CCH that will lead the delivery of clinical care across the system. In this role, Dr. McCormick will drive a culture of excellence centered on care quality and safety, service excellence, and regulatory compliance. 

“Dr. McCormick and Dr. Smith bring a wealth of expertise and a deep passion for patient safety and operational excellence to Cook County Health,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CCH CEO. “Their combined experience in improving patient outcomes and system performance will be essential to guide the health system into its next phase of growth and transformation.”

Dr. McCormick joins CCH from Franciscan Health Crown Point in Indiana, where he served as CEO and Hospital President. He also held key leadership roles as Chief Medical Officer/Vice President of Medical Affairs and President of Specialty Physicians of Illinois. A seasoned nephrologist, Dr. McCormick has a strong history of improving patient care and enhancing operational efficiency. He earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and his MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

“I am honored to join Cook County Health and contribute to its mission of delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to our community,” said Dr. McCormick. “I look forward to working with the talented team at CCH to ensure we continue to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care for all of our patients.”

Dr. Lauren Smith will serve as CCH’s new Chief Medical Officer, where she will lead the development and implementation of clinical standards, measure and improve clinical outcomes, and ensure alignment of provider services with CCH’s strategic goals. Dr. Smith joins CCH from UI Health, where she most recently served as Associate Chief Medical Officer for Patient Logistics and Emergency Medicine.

Dr. Smith is an experienced Emergency Medicine physician who also previously served as the Interim Medical Director of the Emergency Medicine Department at CCH’s Stroger Hospital. She earned her medical degree from the University of Maryland and completed her residency at Stroger Hospital. She also holds an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. 

“Returning to Cook County Health feels like coming home,” said Dr. Smith. “I am passionate about fostering clinical excellence and ensuring our patients receive timely, efficient and equitable care. I’m excited to build upon the 180 year strong foundation here and to support our physicians, advanced practice providers and all staff, in delivering outcomes that truly make a difference in people’s lives.”

Both Dr. McCormick and Dr. Smith will play pivotal roles in advancing CCH’s vision to become a more patient-centered, efficient organization, improving care delivery across the system, and driving long-term success.