At his first visit to the Chicago HIV Prevention Planning Group, new Department of Public Health Commissioner John Wilhelm assured members that the Office of Gay and Lesbian Health will continue and that he is committed to the division of STD/HIV/AIDS.
Wilhelm and First Deputy Commissioner Shirley Fleming spoke to the group last week to introduce themselves and respond to a list of questions submitted by the group several months ago.
Wilhelm, who replaced former Commissioner Sheila Lyne about four months ago, admitted to the group that as the new kid on the block, he has few concrete answers for them.
"I may not have the full answers that you would like to hear because my style is to rely on the programs," he said. "Sheila Lyne has built up a great team. I've been very impressed with the structure that's been built up."
"I have a lot of catching up to do," he said. "I don't have enough knowledge ... to answer some questions."
In response to a question from the audience, he confirmed that the Office of Gay and Lesbian Health will remain and that its director, Lora Branch, will continue to report to the yet-to-be-named director of STD/HIV/AIDS.
He said the search for that position, formerly held by Frank Oldham, is moving at a good pace. "We're trying to work as quickly as we can," he said.
STD/HIV/AIDS is the largest division in the health department, with nearly 250 staff across the city. Before he left, Oldham expressed concerns about the future of the division and its priority within the department.
A diverse, 13-member search committee has been formed to find Oldham's replacement, and the deadline for applications was April 30. The first set of interviews is set to begin May 12. In response to a HPPG question, Wilhelm said he felt the salary being offered for Oldham's job "is attractive and will bring good candidates."
Wilhelm said his plans for the department include identifying existing resources in the community—such as clinics or programs—that will help compliment or bolster public health efforts and that the department may move away from providing some of those services itself. "Being trapped inside the bricks and mortar of our facilities is not where we need to be," he said.
Wilhelm's first visit to HPPG got mixed reviews from its members and audience. Some felt he should have been more knowledgeable about the department's largest division and more forthcoming about his plans.
"I had higher expectations in terms of the responses that I wanted," said HPPG member Martín Gonzalez-Rojas, of CALOR. "We just don't know where he stands on HIV and AIDS."
Group member Bill Rydwels agreed.
"I have to say I was very disappointed in him," Rydwels said. "He seemed to avoid all answers ... I hate when people are able to prepare because they can say nothing so well."
Rydwels acknowledged he was just as apprehensive when Lyne started, and that she eventually proved to be a capable and compassionate administrator.
Others at last week's meeting gave the relatively new Wilhelm the benefit of the doubt.
"I think he's getting the lay of the land," said David Munar of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. "He's gathering information. I think it's a steep learning curve ... . He's doing what any new administrator would need to do."
HPPG member and Faces of AIDS author Jim Pickett said of Wilhelm and Fleming, "I'm glad they came. This is a first step. The leadership needs to come more often."
"There was a very big turnout," Pickett added, "and it sends a message that this is very important. A lot of CDPH employees were there. It sends a message that HIV and AIDS is being watched and there are a lot of people who are very passionate about it."
According to its materials, HPPG "is a diverse group of volunteers working collaboratively with the Chicago Department of Health for the purpose of developing and overseeing the implementation of a comprehensive HIV prevention plan to reduce or stop the spread of HIV ... ."
The group, which holds monthly meetings, is made up of CDPH employees, community advocates and HIV/ AIDS organization service providers.
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