Jamal M. Edwards Resigns as CEO of Howard Brown Health Center

Howard Brown Health Center

Jamal M. Edwards, Esquire announced today that he is resigning as president and CEO of Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC). After completing two successful fiscal years of leadership, including a multi-million dollar financial turnaround of the organization, nearly doubling the health center’s number of patients and clients, and significant private and public grant awards, Edwards has decided the timing is right for him to explore new opportunities and transition control of HBHC to new leadership.

“I joined Howard Brown Health Center with the sole intention of solving the organization’s immediate financial and legal problems. I am proud to say that we have accomplished that and more in a very short amount of time, bringing effective long-term solutions to many issues,” said Edwards of his departure. “It has been an honor to be a part of the transformation of this now highly-innovative organization that makes such a tremendous impact in the lives of tens of thousands of people throughout the Midwest and beyond. This experience has been among the most rewarding of my professional career and one for which I will always be grateful; but the time has come to move on for certain personal and professional reasons.”

A licensed attorney and a former partner at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, one of the nation’s largest law firms,  Edwards was hired by HBHC in June 2010 to address significant legal challenges and to establish financial stability for the health center and in the past two years has brought tremendous improvement and growth to the organization. Edwards feels he has satisfied the “calling” that drew him from his partnership at Kirkland & Ellis LLP to HBHC. Given the significant turnaround, he feels the organization is in a stable position to continue its strong path with new leadership. Edwards also cites personal reasons for resigning including wanting to spend more time with his four-year-old son.

During his time at HBHC, Edwards’ accomplishments earned him the respect of his peers. “I am honored to have had Jamal as a colleague. He has been a fearless innovator and an incredibly strong leader,” states Howard Brown SVP and COO Dr. Magda Houlberg, MD. “Jamal marshaled HBHC through a challenging time, brought unparalleled vision, and broadened the organization’s horizons in a way no previous leader was able to accomplish. I respect his incredible work ethic and willingness to step into this very difficult and challenging role as CEO at what was probably the most critical time HBHC has ever experienced.”

Upon learning that Jamal Edwards was leaving as President and CEO of Howard Brown Health Center, Illinois Primary Health Care Association President & CEO Bruce Johnson stated, “Jamal Edwards is a tireless leader and has worked countless hours on behalf of the patients and Chicago communities served by Howard Brown Health Center. A devoted advocate for the underserved, Jamal is a true asset to community change in Chicago. His passion for improving the health of others, especially those in the LGBT community, is unwavering. Jamal’s leadership in the arena of community health care will be missed.”

Source: Jamal M. Edwards