Rockford University honors Illinois health director for service during COVID-19 pandemic

ROCKFORD — Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said she is not worthy.

Rockford University's president and the school's Board of Directors beg to differ.

Ezike was presented with the University’s 39th Jane Addams Medal during a ceremony on the school’s campus Friday.

Ezike is being recognized for her admirable service to Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Rockford University President Eric Fulcomer.

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“The last 20 months alone have demonstrated Dr. Ezike’s worthiness of today’s honor,” Fulcomer said. “If you’ve watched any of Gov. Pritzker’s COVID-19 press conferences over the last nearly two years, you no doubt noted the strength, compassion and intellect exhibited by Dr. Ezike while serving as the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health during this global pandemic. She truly represents the ideals of Jane Addams and of this institution.”

The medal, given on behalf of the university and the Board of Trustees, honors the tradition of alumna Jane Addams in recognition of her outstanding character and significant contributions to society.

Ezike graduated with honors from Harvard College with a concentration in chemistry before earning her medical degree from the University of California, San Diego. She also earned her management certificate from Harvard Business School.

Ezike is a board certified internist and pediatrician. She was appointed director of the Illinois Department of Public Health in January 2019, 14 months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S.

“I think the most rewarding (aspect of the pandemic) has been to work so closely with dedicated people in all sectors of the community,” Ezike said. “Every single sector has been a partner and a stakeholder in this COVID journey and the incredible collaboration is a signal for what we can do when we work together for whatever is the next challenge that we want to tackle head on.”

Ezike said she is most frustrated by the ongoing number of lives lost due to COVID despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine that she said could have prevented those deaths.

“I am saddened that people have been the victims of misinformation,” she said. “I have complete compassion for everyone regardless of vaccination status and I think the reason that many might not be vaccinated — a large percentage — is due to the misinformation that they have been surrounded with.”

Rockford University awards the Jane Addams Medal to women who have taken a stand that requires critical thinking and courageous action.

The medal was first awarded in 1947 to medical pioneer Dr. Florence Rena Sabin during the college’s Centennial Celebration.

Other recipients include former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth.

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Jane Addams graduated from Rockford Female Seminary, the forerunner of Rockford University, in 1881. Addams established the world-renowned Hull House Settlement Community and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1931 for her efforts to promote peace and social justice and for her efforts to eradicate hunger.

“I’m very humbled just learning more about this incredible woman and her role in today’s society,” Ezike said of Addams. “We’re still feeling the repercussions of the work she helped to spur on. I absolutely don’t feel worthy of it but I am inspired to do more as her work has had such dramatic effects on everyone’s everyday life. I strive to have as much impact as she has.”

Ken DeCoster: kdecoster@rrstar.com; @DeCosterKen

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Dr. Ngozi Ezike receives service award from Rockford University