Wellness West Announces New Chief Executive Officer

Wellness West Announces New Chief Executive Officer

Kimberly McCullough-Starks Brings Decades of Experience in Healthcare Leadership and Collaboration in Chicago

CHICAGO – Wellness West is pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly E. McCullough-Starks as its new Chief Executive Officer. In this role, Kimberly will focus on strengthening collaboration among partners, improving care coordination, and positioning Wellness West for long-term sustainability.

Funded by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Wellness West brings together more than 50 hospitals, community health centers, behavioral health providers, and social service organizations to deliver coordinated, person-centered care on Chicago’s West Side.

McCullough-Starks brings more than three decades of leadership experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Previously she served as Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, where she helped oversee Illinois’ Medicaid program serving more than 3.1 million residents and led initiatives to improve access to care, outcomes, and coordination across the healthcare system.

“I am honored to join Wellness West at such an important moment,” said McCullough-Starks. “This collaborative demonstrates what is possible when communities and providers work together with a shared commitment to better care. I look forward to building on its strong foundation and supporting the long-term success of this work.”

“Kimberly understands the complexity of this work and the communities Wellness West exists to serve. Her experience leading large-scale healthcare initiatives aligns directly with our mission,” said José R. Sánchez, Chair of the Wellness West Board and CEO of Humboldt Park Health.

“Wellness West shows what can be achieved when trusted organizations collaborate in new ways. Kimberly brings the leadership and perspective needed for the next chapter,” said Donald Dew, Vice Chair of the Wellness West Board and CEO of Habilitative Systems Inc.

“We are delighted to welcome Kimberly to this important leadership role. Her deep experience in advancing collaborative care will be a tremendous asset as Wellness West continues to support the health of communities across the West Side,” said Cheryl Lulias, President and CEO of Medical Home Network.

“The strength of Wellness West has always been its commitment to collaboration and equity. Kimberly McCullough-Starks understands both the systems and the communities involved, and her leadership positions Wellness West for lasting impact,” said Dr. David Ansell, President of the Wellness West Board and Senior Vice President for Community Health Equity at Rush University Medical Center.

Kimberly succeeds Misty Drake, who served as Executive Director since the collaborative’s earliest days. The Board and partners of Wellness West extend their gratitude for her vision and leadership during the organization’s formative years.

Wellness West is a nonprofit collaborative created through the State of Illinois’ Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives program, an initiative of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Additional information about Wellness West is available at www.wellnesswest.org.


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