By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Political Writer
Tmcqueen@afro.com

After seven months as the Baltimore City Health Commissioner, Dr. Ihuoma Emenuga has suddenly been terminated from the position.

Dr. Ihuoma Emenuga is no longer the top health official for Baltimore City as of July 29. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott released a statement on the termination on July 29, saying it was “effective immediately.” (Photo courtesy of the Baltimore City Health Department)

Emenuga served as interim commissioner in December 2023 after nomination from Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott (D). She was sworn in on March 20.

“Dr. Ihuoma Emenuga will no longer serve as the Baltimore City Health Commissioner and is no longer employed by the City of Baltimore, effective immediately,” said Scott in a statement released the evening of July 29. 

Scott did not explain the termination of Emenuga in his statement.

Emenuga is an internal medicine physician operating in various capacities across clinical medicine, academia and healthcare consulting. According to Big Cities Health Coalition, a forum for leaders of health departments, she started her medical career as a primary care physician in Cote d’Ivoire and worked as a consultant for the African Development Bank in Tunisia. When she arrived in Baltimore, she served as the medical director of the Baltimore City Health Department’s Youth Wellness and Community Health Division and for Chase Brexton Health Care.

Several top appointed officials have left their positions during Scott’s first term as mayor. Jason W. Mitchell, who served as director of the Department of Public Works, left the role in January 2023. Former Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael S. Harrison resigned in June 2023, along with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement director, Shantay Jackson. 

Scott has already disclosed who will step into Emenuga’s role, while a permanent replacement is found.

“Effective immediately, Deputy City Administrator (DCAO) Simone Johnson will temporarily join the Baltimore City Health Department as interim commissioner of health,” he said. “The City of Baltimore will commence a nationwide search for its next health commissioner.”

Scott highlighted that Johnson has more than 20 years of state and local government experience including her previous roles as chief of staff and chief operating officer at the Baltimore City Health Department. Johnson also served as chief of staff for the State Department of Housing and Community Development and the Maryland Transit Administration.

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