As Cook County government continues to overhaul its health care system, Dr. Terry Mason has been hired as the first chief medical officer for the county’s Health and Hospitals System.
As Cook County government continues to overhaul its health care system, Dr. Terry Mason has been hired as the first chief medical officer for the county’s Health and Hospitals System.
Mason has been the city’s health commissioner since Mayor Richard Daley appointed the doctor to the post in 2005.
“My resignation was not the result of me being unhappy with him (the mayor), budget constraints or any of his policies,” Mason told the Defender. “I am leaving because a great opportunity has become available. This was an incredible opportunity I could not pass up.”
Mason’s official last day with the city is Nov. 30. He will begin his new job at the county Dec. 7 where his current $177,156-a-year salary is expected to double.
As the county’s first chief medical officer, Mason will oversee doctors at Stroger Hospital, Provident Hospital, Cermak Health Services at Cook County Jail, Oak Forest Hospital, and all 16 county health clinics.
And as part of the independent health system established a year ago to manage the county’s health care system, Mason will report directly to William Foley, CEO of the Cook County Health and Hospitals System.
It is Mason’s hope that the mayor appoints someone Black to replace him.
“My preference is that someone of color replaces me,” he said. “But we first have to make sure the person is appropriate.”
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