Dr. William Wong will begin work Oct. 1 as the City of Chicago Department of Health STD/HIV/AIDS Medical Director, and Lora Branch, M.S., will take office as the STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Program Director. Branch was previously the Director of the Office of LGBT Health at CDPH. A search for a new director for that position will begin soon.
‘Dr. Wong’s background and experience will provide a solid foundation for the continued strengthening of CDPH’s efforts to control STDs and HIV. Branch is nationally recognized as an innovative public health leader. She is already a great asset to the Department and the City, and we look forward to her taking on this important new role and continuing to work tirelessly on behalf of our community,’ said Dr. Bill Paul, Deputy Commissioner, Epidemiology and Disease Control Programs.
Christopher Brown, Assistant Commissioner, STD/HIV/AIDS Division, said ‘We are very excited to have Dr. Wong and Branch on board. Branch led the development for the nationally recognized films, Kevin’s Room and Kevin’s Room II; two films that delved into the challenging issues facing gay and bisexual men of color. Branch will have immeasurable impact in her new role. In addition to his role at the San Francisco STD Clinic, Dr. Wong also has done extraordinary work for the Magnet Community Health Center, a clinic for men who have sex with men in the Castro district. We welcome both of these accomplished individuals … .’
Dr. Wong brings more than 10 years professional experience to the City of Chicago. He joins the department from San Francisco Department of Public Health where he served as Medical Director of the City STD clinic. In addition to successfully fulfilling this important leadership role, he made important contributions in training, community partnerships and prevention research.
Branch served as CDPH’s Director of Capacity Building, Training and Technical Assistance and as the Coordinator of citywide youth programs in the Department’s HIV/AIDS Public Policy and Programs Division. Branch has also served as the Director of Grantmaking and Community Education for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Director of HIV programs for the Westside Association For Community Action.