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Planning for the health needs of
our residents involves the recruit- ment and selection of top managers and executives. Public health is a unique practice, involving meeting daily needs and maintaining a constant look to the future through analysis of trends and identification of areas (including geographic) of concern. Health Department leaders must possess the vision to ensure that future health needs in DuPage will be met.
The Early Retirement Incentive approved by the County Board in late 1997 left vacancies on Executive Staff.
Six of the 11 Board of Health members were appointed in 1999, due to expirations of terms of existing members. The Board created a Search Committee who interviewed internal candidates first and recommended the top two management positions be filled from within.
Former Business Operations Services Director Leland Lewis was selected to fill the position of Executive Director. At the same time, the Board of Health reinstated the position of Deputy Executive Director and tapped Planning Director James C. Hagen to serve in that capacity.
“Mr. Lewis brings not only continuity but a wealth of management experience to the DuPage County Health Department,” said Board of Health President Linda Kurzawa in making the announcement. “He has demonstrated the ability to bring groups together, build consensus and get the job done.”
“I am honored by the confidence the Board of Health has shown by naming me its Executive Director,” Mr. Lewis said
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in accepting the position. “I look forward to working with each employee and the Board to make the Health Department even better than we are today.”
Mr. Lewis joined the Health Department in 1994 as Director of Business Operations. He has over 30 years of business and management experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla and a Master’s in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. He is a graduate of the Illinois Public Health Leadership Institute offered by the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois Chicago and has served on several task forces involved in public health issues.
James C. Hagen, Ph.D., M.P.H., joined the Health Department in 1990 and has served in a planning capacity and twice as Interim Executive Director. He heads the Office of Planning, Education and Evaluation and has directed the 1994 and 1999 Illinois Project for the Local Assessment of Needs.
“The Board of Health decided to reinstate the position of Deputy Executive Director in order to fully utilize the talents that Dr. Jim Hagen has brought to the Department,” Board of Health President Linda Kurzawa said.
Dr. Hagen is a graduate of Michigan State University and obtained his M.S. from the University of Montana and his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Loyola University of Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine. He earned his Master’s Degree in Public Health from Benedictine University.
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