Cook County Health Names New Executive Leaders

Cook County Health has welcomed several new executives, representing the first C-suite appointments under the leadership of CCH CEO Israel Rocha Jr.

“I am pleased to welcome these new leaders to Cook County Health,” said Mr. Rocha. “We will be working together to further the health system’s storied, 185-year-old mission to care for all while modernizing our operations to thrive in today’s health care landscape.”

Valarie Amos, Chief Human Resource Officer: Ms. Amos began her career as a nurse and brings to CCH more than 16 years of human resource leadership experience. In her role, Ms. Amos oversees all functional areas within human resources, and is responsible for strategic planning and the delivery of effective human resources services for all CCH affiliates. Prior to joining CCH, she served as the Director of Compensation, HRIS and Talent Acquisition at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Ms. Amos holds a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and a master’s of science in nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is also a Certified Professional in Human Resources and a Lean Human Capital Recruiter Academy Certified Recruiter.

Shannon Andrews, Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer: Ms. Andrews is CCH’s inaugural Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer. In this new role, Ms. Andrews is developing a system and strategies to ensure that Cook County Health’s culture and programs are open and available to every patient and every care team member. Operationally, Ms. Andrews leads supply chain initiatives, language services, the Center for Health Equity and Innovation, and other diversity and inclusion efforts that CCH expects to develop. Ms. Andrews previously served as Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Chicago and has nearly 20 years of government experience. She holds a bachelor of arts in English from Hampton University. She is a member of multiple professional organizations and has received several awards recognizing her accomplishments and commitment to equity.

Andrea Gibson, Chief Strategy Officer: Ms. Gibson previously served as CCH’s Interim Chief Business Officer (CBO). As Interim CBO, Ms. Gibson oversaw the health system’s finance departments, including budget, accounts payable, payroll, patient financial services, managed care, accounting and grants. In her new role, she is responsible for the organizational growth, business development, affiliated strategies and for implementing strategic initiatives consistent with CCH’s mission. She first joined CCH in 2015 as Director of Project Management and Operational Excellence. Previously, she served as Budget Director for Cook County and Deputy Budget Director for the City of Chicago. In all, Ms. Gibson has more than 26 years of experience in leading governmental entities’ fiscal responsibility and transparency initiatives. Ms. Gibson has a bachelor’s degree in political science and environmental studies from Macalester College, as well as master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago.

Curtis Haley, Chief Revenue Officer: Mr. Haley has more than 12 years of health care operational and financial leadership experience in revenue cycle. Mr. Haley is focused on providing strategic direction, planning and development of revenue cycle management to ensure Cook County Health maximizes revenue potential. Most recently, Mr. Haley served as the Vice President of Revenue Cycle Operations for AMITA Presence Health with $4 billion in revenue. Previously, he worked as the System Director of Revenue for Sinai Health. Mr. Haley has also worked at MetroSouth Medical Center, Saint Elizabeth Medical Center and Kishwaukee Health. Mr. Haley holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and insurance from Illinois State University and a Master of Business Administration in health care administration from Lewis University.

One of the largest public health systems in the nation, CCH serves as the safety-net for health care in Chicago and suburban Cook County. CCH is comprised of two hospitals, a robust network of more than a dozen community health centers, the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center, the Cook County Department of Public Health, Cermak Correctional Health Services, which provides health care to individuals at the Cook County Jail and the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, and CountyCare, a Medicaid managed care health plan.

Through the health system and the health plan, CCH cares for more than 500,000 individuals each year, and its physicians are experts in their fields, committed to providing their patients with comprehensive, compassionate and cutting-edge care. Today, CCH is transforming the provision of health care in Cook County by promoting community-based primary and preventive care, growing an innovative, collaborative health plan, and enhancing the patient experience.