Gary health chief takes on part-time job

Gary’s health commissioner has joined the leadership team at Edgewater Health as chief medical officer.

Dr. Roland Walker will work part-time for Edgewater while maintaining his role as the city’s top doctor. Walker became health commissioner just prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Edgewater Health and the city’s health department have worked together throughout the pandemic to ensure access to services like testing for the city’s residents.

Dr. Danita Johnson Hughes, Edgewater president and CEO, lauded the new chief medical officer.

“Dr. Roland Walker is a gifted physician who brings a wealth of experience to Edgewater Health. We are excited to have him join our team and lead our medical staff,” Johnson Hughes said.

Walker said he will fill the role formerly held by the late Dr. Okechi Nwubara, who died Jan. 4. The position has been vacant since Nwubara’s death.

Walker said he is always looking for ways to help bring access to health care for the city’s uninsured and underinsured residents.

“I’ve been in the role for two weeks,” Walker said.

In his new position, Walker said he will be looking for ways to help Edgewater continue to improve its services to the underserved community of Gary. The health center will be up for its two-year federal review soon, so Walker said he will be helping prepare for that inspection, among other things.

“I’m very excited,” Walker said.

Walker brings more than 20 years of experience practicing pediatrics and family medicine.