Berneice Mills-Thomas

Berneice Mills-Thomas has served as Executive Director of Near North Health (NNH) since 1991. Under Ms. Thomas' leadership, NNH has grown from one health center on the near north side to nine comprehensive full-service health centers and two Women, Infants and Children (WIC) ancillary sites that provide primary healthcare, social services and health and nutrition education to nearly 45,000 medically under-served and low-income men, women and children throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

With a career in health care that spans more than 30 years, Ms. Thomas is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals and families who reside in low-income, medically underserved communities. Prior to NNH, she held managerial and clinical positions in several community health centers and two community hospitals in Chicago.

An influential and active leader in the community, Ms. Thomas serves on the boards of the Alliance of Chicago Community Health Services and the Illinois Primary Health Care Association, and holds memberships with the National Association of Community Health Centers, the National Association of Female Executives, and the American Management Association.

Ms.Thomas has been honored by public and private entities for her devotion and unparalleled commitment to empower communities, and for her ability to develop and implement human service health programs that improve the quality of life for many of Chicago's forgotten citizens.