Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz today announced that he’s appointed Ike Ogbo as interim director of the city’s Health and Human Services Department.
He takes over for Evonda Thomas-Smith, who resigned as health director effective last Friday after 14 years with the city.
Ogbo started with the city in 2008 as a licensed environmental health practitioner and was promoted to public health manager in 2015. Prior to his service in Evanston, Ogbo worked in various assignments for the Illinois Department of Health and the McLean County Health Department.
Ogbo received a bachelor’s degree in biological science and a master’s in public health from the University of Illinois.
Bobkiewicz said, “Ike’s experience in working with the public health needs of Evanston and in working at different levels within the department makes him an excellent fit for this important position.”
Bobkiewicz says he expects Ogbo will continue in the interim director position for the rest of this year while while the city completes its review of social services programs. He says a new permanent director will be hired once that review is completed.