After 11 years of service, guiding the WHI from its inception, long-time WHI co-chair Doug Strong recently announced his intention to step back from his leadership role within the organization.
Strong served as CEO of the University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers from 2006 to 2014. During his tenure with the WHI, Strong brought valuable insight and leadership to the mission of improving the health of low-income, under- and uninsured residents in Washtenaw County.
Dr. Brent Williams, a long-time WHI Steering Committee member and current WHI secretary, was nominated and confirmed to replace Strong and join current co-chair, Sharon Moore, as co-chair.
Williams has served as director of the U-M Medical School Global Health and Disparities (GHD) Path of Excellence since its inception in 2010 and as medical director of U-M’s Complex Care Management Program. The WHI Steering Committee is excited to have Williams, alongside Sharon Moore, as they continue to drive the work of the WHI forward.
With Dr. William’s transition into the co-chair role, Steering Committee member Alfreda Rooks was nominated and confirmed to take on the WHI secretary role.
Rooks is the director of Community Health Services at Michigan Medicine, where she leads efforts to improve health outcomes and equity through a range of programs and services that address the social determinants of health. Given the depth of her experience on the Steering Committee and working groups, the WHI looks forward to having her expertise in this role.