Executive
Leadership
at NNH
Berneice Mills-Thomas, RN, MSM, MPH, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Berneice Mills-Thomas has served as Executive Director of Near North Health (NNH) since 1991. Under Ms. Thomas' leadership, NNH has grown from one health center on the near north side to nine comprehensive full-service health centers and two Women, Infants and Children (WIC) ancillary sites that provide primary healthcare, social services and health and nutrition education to nearly 45,000 medically under-served and low-income men, women and children throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.
With a career in health care that spans more than 30 years, Ms. Thomas is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals and families who reside in low-income, medically underserved communities. Prior to NNH, she held managerial and clinical positions in several community health centers and two community hospitals in Chicago.
An influential and active leader in the community, Ms. Thomas serves on the boards of the Alliance of Chicago Community Health Services and the Illinois Primary Health Care Association, and holds memberships with the National Association of Community Health Centers, the National Association of Female Executives, and the American Management Association.
Ms. Thomas has been honored by public and private entities for her devotion and unparalleled commitment to empower communities, and for her ability to develop and implement human service health programs that improve the quality of life for many of Chicago's forgotten citizens.
2018 Quarterly Statistics
91% of Near North patients think the support staff are helpful
90% of Near North patients are likely to recommend Near North doctors to friends or family
90% of Near North patients think the rate of charges is fair
93% of Near North patients would recommend our nursing staff to family or friends
92% of Near North patients would recommend our health centers to family and/or friends
90% of Near North patients think our health centers are clean
Dr. Stephanie Cox-Batson, MD, MA
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Stephanie Cox- Batson returned to Near North Health as Chief Medical Officer in 2017. Dr. Cox-Batson has worked in community and public health for more than fourteen years. She previously worked at Near North Health for 10 years as a women’s health provider.
Prior to returning to Near North Health as Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Cox-Baton was in private practice in Chicago. She is dedicated to improving the health of the family unit by focusing on prevention, nutrition and lifestyle changes. Dr. Cox is a tireless patient advocate, believing all patients deserve the best healthcare possible regardless of status or ability to pay.
Throughout her more than 20-year career she has held numerous leadership roles including Director of Quality Improvement for Near North Health, Chairman of the Research Committee, Clinical Coordinator of Women’s Health, and Course Director in Nicaragua. As CMO she works to expand programming and services for those patients experiencing gaps in care.
Dr. Cox-Batson grew up in Ohio. She received her BA from Northwestern University, and her MD and MA from Washington University in St. Louis. She completed her residency in OBGYN at Northwestern Prentice Hospital. She is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and has staff privileges at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. She is married with twin daughters and a dog.