Dr. Ezike is a board-certified internist and pediatrician who has led the State of Illinois through the COVID-19 pandemic. March is Women's History Month and the 2022 National Theme is "Providing Healing and Promoting Hope."

Throughout the pandemic Dr. Ezike’s calm, honest yet reassuring, updates gave us the knowledge we needed to stay as safe as possible during the Coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Ezike delivered  her remarks in English and Spanish and with a sign language interpreter always present. She clearly understood the importance her words would have on the lives and the well-being of each and every one of us.

Many of us stumbled as we tried to navigate the uncharted territory  of the pandemic, however,  Dr. Ezike assumed her leadership role with grace and confidence as if she been preparing for it all her life. 

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Congratulations to Dr. Ezike for being named one of USA Today’s Women of the Year! You make Illinois proud!
Below is a link to a Journal Star article about Dr. Ezike.
‘Meet Dr. Ngozi Ezike, a ‘woman who saved lives and changed (Illinois) for the better’’
Leslie Renken Journal Star
Published 6:00 AM CDT Mar. 13, 2022 Updated 8:18 AM CDT Mar. 13, 2022
https://www.pjstar.com/in-depth/opinion/2022/03/13/ngozi-ezike-illinois-usa-today-women-of-the-year/6566915001/

This article may also be viewed on the State Journal-Register
https://www.sj-r.com/in-depth/opinion/2022/03/13/ngozi-ezike-illinois-usa-today-women-of-the-year/6566915001/?build=native-web_i_p

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More information about USA Today’s  Women of the Year Recognition:
Dr. Ngozi Ezike is one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, a recognition of women across the country who have made a significant impact. The annual program is a continuation of Women of the Century, a 2020 project that commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Meet this year’s honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com.