BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, December 14, 2023) – Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced his intent to nominate Ihuoma Emenuga, M.D. as the new Health Commissioner for the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD). As a board-certified internal medicine physician with vast academic and clinical medicine experience, Dr. Emenuga brings a wealth of expertise, dedication, and a deep commitment to addressing health inequities to this vital role.

“Our public health infrastructure is one of our city’s most important networks, and I am thrilled to nominate Dr. Emenuga to be the City of Baltimore’s next Health Commissioner to lead our Health Department,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Given her background, I know she will bring her extensive experience, dedication to public health, and innovative thinking to her work on behalf of Baltimoreans in every neighborhood. As we safeguard all types of health in our communities, Dr. Emenuga will be critical in helping us build a healthier, more equitable Baltimore.”

With the nomination of Dr. Emenuga, the Scott Administration seeks to reaffirm a commitment to strengthening the City’s public health infrastructure and ensuring that our community receives the highest standard of care.

“I feel privileged to join a formidable team at the health department, while tapping into the deep commitment and rich culture of Baltimoreans, said Dr. Ihuoma Emenuga. “I am excited to be a part of building the public health infrastructure of the future, and creating a healthcare environment that works for everyone!” 

As Health Commissioner, Dr. Emenuga will have wide ranging areas of responsibility, including management of acute communicable diseases such as COVID-19 and the flu (influenza), animal control, chronic disease prevention, emergency preparedness, HIV/STD prevention and treatment, maternal-child health, restaurant inspections, school health, senior services, and youth violence issues. The agency includes a workforce of approximately 900 employees and has a budget of approximately $208 million.

Her leadership will play a crucial role in shaping the health policies and initiatives that will benefit all residents within the City of Baltimore. Together with BCHD’s existing team of public health providers, Dr. Emenuga will work diligently to address health inequities and disparities, and promote wellness opportunities for residents Citywide.

Her contract is slated to go before the Board of Estimates and assuming approval, she will start on January 22nd. The Health Commissioner’s nomination will also be introduced to the City Council in January for confirmation.

Dr. Emenuga earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Nigeria; her Master of Science degree in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of London, and her Master of Business Administration from the Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park. She completed her residency fellowship in Health Policy from the George Washington University RFHP program; and her residency training in Internal Medicine at Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C.

Most recently, Dr. Emenuga served as the Managing Partner at Vie Health, a healthcare consulting firm with a vision of ‘healthcare that works for everyone.' In her role of Chief Medical and Clinical Operations Officer, Dr. Emenuga has provided clinical operations support to many healthcare organization positions.

Dr. Emenuga previously served as a Medical Director in the Baltimore City Health Department’s Youth Wellness and Community Health Division where she was responsible for directing and overseeing clinical services provided in Baltimore City public schools and School-Based Health Centers. She has also served as a Medical Director for Chase Brexton Health Care, and Chief Medical Officer at both Park West Health System and Family Health Centers of Baltimore.