Karriem Watson, DHSc, MS, MPH
Executive Director, Mile Square Health Center
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About
Dr. Karriem S. Watson, DHSc, MS, MPH is the Chief Executive Officer for UI Health Mile Square Health Center. As part of the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science System, Mile Square includes Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) clinics throughout south and west Chicago, Cicero and Rockford communities, with a mission to provide holistic, quality health services amid an underserved, urban community. The system includes primary care, behavioral health, and dental services, as well as school-based health centers.
In addition to his work as a healthcare administrator, Dr. Watson serves as a Research Associate Professor in the UIC School of Public Health. He is trained as a cancer disparities researcher to ensure early detection and improve screening and cancer prevention in high-risk populations. His work has examined cancer prevention and control in rural Haiti, Cuba, Ethiopia and Uganda. Prior to returning back to UIC and leading Mile Square, Dr. Watson spent time at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the largest precision medicine initiative. His work as a cancer disparities researcher has been funded by the NIH’s NCI, NIMHD, NHLBI and industry and foundational support. In addition to his work as a researcher, healthcare administrator and public health educator, Dr. Watson has a deep engagement in the community. He has been recognized by the Chicago Urban League as an Innovator in STEM, he has served on the board of It Takes A Village of Schools and former board chair of Community Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH).