DuPage health department promotes from within for new director

An administrator with the DuPage County Health Department has been tapped to become the department's next executive director.

Karen Ayala, director of public health services, will be promoted to the new position on Monday. She replaces Executive Director Maureen McHugh, who is retiring Feb. 5.

“I look forward to working with our community partners and elected officials to ensure the Health Department remains at the forefront of innovation,” Ayala said in a written statement. “I am also humbled to be leading a dedicated and hardworking group of employees whose main goal each day is to ensure our residents have access to quality health care services.”

Ayala will be paid an annual salary of $145,013. Her appointment was approved Thursday night by the DuPage County Board of Health.

Since joining the health department in 2007, Ayala has been “a dedicated and innovative leader,” officials said. They say her “drive, passion and determination” will be an asset as the agency continues to navigate changes in how health care services are provided to residents in need.

“Karen is well respected among our community partners and is committed to advancing the health department's mission of providing exceptional public health services to DuPage County residents,” said Linda Kurzawa, president of the board of health.

Officials say the transition in leadership will be made easier, in part, because of the work and strategic vision of McHugh, who has been executive director since May 2007. She served as interim executive director of the department between November 2005 and May 2007.

“The board of health is deeply appreciative of Maureen McHugh's tenure with the department,” Kurzawa said. “Under her dynamic leadership the agency is immersed in the community, on solid financial ground and able to meet the challenges of the future to make DuPage the healthiest county in the nation.”