Howard Brown Health announced the appointment of its new CEO, bringing an end to a nearly year-long search that began when former leader David Ernesto Munar stepped down in February 2024.
Travis Gayles, MD, a health care leader with experience spearheading initiatives for public and private health entities, will begin as Howard Brown Health’s new CEO on March 3, the health care organization announced Feb. 3.
Gayles was selected from more than 200 candidates who were considered in the national search to fill the position, according to the announcement. He has experience as both a chief health and medical officer, and ties to Chicago, where he trained during his early career at Lurie Children’s Hospital and Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
Gayles said in a statement he was “honored” to lead Howard Brown Health during a “critical moment where we can amplify our voice—not only in Chicago but across the nation—working to tackle the systemic barriers that still exist in healthcare.”
“Howard Brown Health’s legacy as a pillar of support for LGBTQ+ communities in Chicago is something I deeply respect, and what excites me most is the opportunity to further grow the organization’s reach and influence across local, regional and national levels in addressing health disparities for all who walk through our doors,” Gayles said.
Gayles most recently served as chief health officer for Irving, Texas-based Hazel Health, which is the country’s largest school-based telehealth provider. His efforts to expand physical and mental telehealth services in schools across multiple states earned him recognition by Rock Health as a Top 50 Digital Health Champion for Health Equity in 2023.
Before his time at Hazel Health, Gayles served as chief health officer for Montgomery County, Maryland, where he oversaw the county’s public health system, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, he also co-chaired the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention and Treatment; chaired the Maryland State Immunization Advisory Committee; and served on the Advisory Board of the University of Maryland Horowitz Center for Health Literacy.
Gayles’ additional experience with HIV-related healthcare also includes serving as chief medical officer for the District of Columbia Department of Health’s HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration. He also specialized in adolescent and HIV medicine during his early-career time at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
Gayles holds a BA in Public Policy Studies from Duke University, as well as a PhD in Community Health/Health Policy and an MD from the University of Illinois. He’s taught at Johns Hopkins, New York University, University of Maryland and DePaul University.
“Dr. Gayles’ deep expertise, vision and commitment to health justice will propel our work forward as we continue to break down the systemic barriers that prevent marginalized communities from accessing the care they deserve,” Mike Mazzeo, chair of Howard Brown Health’s Board of Directors, said in a statement.
Interim CEO Dr. Robin Gay, who led Howard Brown Health throughout the search, will return to her role as the organization’s chief dental officer.
“We are so very grateful for Dr. Gay’s leadership during this period and are even more grateful that she will continue to serve Howard Brown Health and its community as a senior member of the organization,” Mazzeo said. “On behalf of the board and our staff, we thank Dr. Gay for her steady hand during this time and her invaluable contributions to our team and community.”