I’m writing to let you know that after 32 years as Executive Director of Health & Medicine, I’ve decided to retire. I will be leaving at the end of 2025, but not until I ensure a smooth transition to the next leader.

It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead this extraordinary organization. Health & Medicine is a remarkable place, bound together by the audacious belief that we can build a just society where ALL people can thrive.

I have embraced the challenges in front of us, linking arms with our talented, brilliant, and generous board and staff, and all of you. Together we have faced threats to public health and the fabric of our fragile society, from “welfare reform” to Illinois’ government budget freezes to cuts to Medicaid, from COVID and closures of precious safety net institutions to the chaos and cruelty of our current regime.

When I started, Health & Medicine comprised Quentin Young, Linda Shapiro, Jane Song, and a one-year fellow, alongside our remarkable working board. We shared back offices with PNHP, Chicago Jobs Council, and some itinerant folks like Barack Obama and Ron Sable, who just needed a desk to work at. Those were exciting days, imagining what a tiny group could accomplish to ensure policies and systems were built to support the public’s health. My kids, Sylvie and Noah, were 2 years and 9 months old. They’re now adults doing their part to repair the world.

What a time it’s been — 32 years gone by in a flash of light, and sometimes it feels more like a millennium. I never imagined in 1993 that I could fall in love with a job and stay at it for 32 years, but that’s what happened.

We’ve accomplished a lot together, and for that, I’m so grateful and proud. We created the Chicago Schweitzer program; wrote and rewrote and rewrote legislation to establish freestanding birth centers in Illinois — and finally passed it; were successful in moving millions from institutional care for older adults to home and community-based supports; wrote and organized around the Bernardin Amendment, which would guarantee healthcare for all in Illinois (ok, it didn’t pass, but we raised awareness); created the ordinance establishing the Independent Board of the Cook County Health System; participated in many transition teams, state and local. And there’s so much more: legislation, organizing, public education, policy development, op eds. I even produced Quentin’s WBEZ radio show before the station was able to pay staff to do it.

Perhaps what I am most proud of are the hundreds of young people, interns, staff, and board members whose careers and perspectives I have helped develop and who are carrying on our collective vision of a more just society.

I step down feeling proud of what we’ve done, and so aware of how much there is left to do. The threats have never been more frightening, and public health needs Health & Medicine more than ever. I won’t be stepping away from the struggle, just stepping away from the job. I’m excited for my next chapter, and I know I leave Health & Medicine in the able hands of a strong and capable board and staff who will carry on. I look forward to supporting the work of Health & Medicine and continuing to make good trouble.

I am grateful for your support and for accompanying me on this journey. I have developed more friends and colleagues than I can count. You mean so much to me. I will stay in touch as we continue the struggle together.

In solidarity,

Margie