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Alonzo Brown
Phone: 773.388.8661
Email: AlonzoB@howardbrown.org
Dr. Bechara Choucair receives Howard Brown Health Center’s Prestigious Friend for Life Award
Commissioner honored for support, guidance
Chicago, Ill. (June 7, 2012) – Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) is proud to announce that Dr.
Bechara Choucair, commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health is the latest recipient of its
prestigious Friend for Life award. Choucair received the honor during a special reception held at the Mile
North hotel in downtown Chicago.
The Friend for Life Award is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated continuous
commitment, persistent advocacy and dedication of time and resources to promote the health and
wellness of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.
“We are proud to honor Dr. Choucair for his unwavering support of Howard Brown Health Center and
promoting health and wellness for all Chicagoans, particularly in the LGBT and HIV communities,” says
HBHC President and CEO Jamal M. Edwards, Esq.
Dr. Choucair was appointed Commissioner by former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley on November 25,
2009 and retained by current Mayor Rahm Emmanuel. He is on a continual quest to reshape the
department to meet the public health challenges of the 21 st century. Under Choucair’s leadership, the
city developed its first ever comprehensive public health agenda designed to significantly improve the
healthiness of all citizens called “Healthy Chicago.”
Notable to all of Chicago, a major focus of the agenda is on the reduction of HIV infection amongst all
citizens, and the linkage into care for those who test positive.
As a supplement to the overall “Healthy Chicago” priorities, the commissioner, with his community
partners, developed the LGBT Community Action Plan which establishes a key set of objectives for
improving the health and wellness of the LGBT community. This roadmap serves not only as a national
model, but highlights the city’s health care priorities for one of Chicago’s key constituencies.
Through Dr. Choucair’s work as commissioner of the city of Chicago’s Department of Public Health, he is
responsible for ensuring the health and wellness all Chicagoans each day.
“Our work with the city is vital in educating and meeting the needs of those in the LGBT community and
individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. And we look forward to our continued partnership,” added Edwards.
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About Howard Brown Health Center
Founded in 1974, Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) is one of the nation's largest health care and research
organizations, primarily serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and its allies. It is the
largest such organization in the Midwest and serves more than 36,000 adults and youth each year throughout the
region. An innovative and patient-centered health home, HBHC provides primary medical care, behavioral health
services, and specialty chronic and infectious disease services, and conducts nationally-renowned clinical and
behavioral research.

Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) honored Dr. Bechara Choucair, commissioner, Chicago Department of Public
Health with its distinguished Friend for Life Award for his support of the nearly 40-year-old community health
organization. The award was presented during a special reception held at the Mile North Hotel’s C-View Lounge in
Streeterville, and Jessica Halem entertained the crowd. Pictured (left to right) are: Dr. Magda Houlberg, senior vice
president and chief operations officer, health center operations, HBHC; Jamal M. Edwards, Esq., HBHC’s president
and CEO; Queer Feminist Comic and LGBT Health Advocate Jessica Halem; Dr. Choucair; Karma Israelsen, board
chair, HBHC and; Matt Nielson, board member, HBHC.