Bechara Choucair


Bechara Choucair is a Lebanese-American physician and public health advisor who is the chief community health officer of Kaiser Permanente. He was the senior vice president of safety net and community health at Trinity Health and served as the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health from 2009 to 2014.

Early life and education

Choucair was born in Beirut. He earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and Doctor of Medicine from the American University of Beirut. He then earned a Master of Science degree in healthcare management from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Career

Chicago Department of Public Health

Choucair was appointed as commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health on November 25, 2009, by Richard M. Daley, and reappointed by Rahm Emanuel upon his election. He stepped down from the post in December 2014.
Together with Mayor Emanuel, Choucair launched Healthy Chicago in August 2011, the City's first comprehensive public health agenda. in different Chicago neighborhoods.
Choucair previously held an appointment at Feinberg School of Medicine as an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine.

Kaiser

Choucair was chief community health officer for Kaiser Permanente.
In April 2018, Choucair led the mission-based nonprofit organization's commitment of $2 million to researching gun injury prevention. As part of this public health initiative, Choucair serves as a co-lead on the Kaiser Permanente Taskforce on Firearm Injury Prevention.
In May 2018, Choucair announced Kaiser Permanente's $200 million impact investing commitment to address affordable housing and prevent displacement, a precursor to homelessness.

Biden administration

On December 30, 2020, it was announced that Choucair would serve as White House Vaccinations Coordinator in the incoming Biden administration. Choucair stepped down from his role on November 22, 2021, and resumed his role at Kaiser Permanente on December 27, 2021.

Awards