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Vice President of Corporate and External Affairs, Rush University Medical Center

Terry Peterson is the vice president of corporate and external affairs at Rush University Medical Center and the chairperson of Rush’s Diversity Leadership Council. Mr. Peterson’s primary responsibilities include leading, developing and implementing federal, state and local government relations initiatives for Rush. He is also tasked with exploring health disparities and works with providers, government and community leadership to address inequities in healthcare delivery in Chicago and Cook County.

Mr. Peterson also serves as Chairman of the Chicago Transit Board. He was appointed to that position in October 2009 by Mayor Richard M. Daley and retained by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Mr. Peterson oversees the business of the Chicago Transit Authority and works closely with CTA’s day-to-day senior leadership. Mr. Peterson’s other professional accomplishments include:

  • Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Housing Authority, 2000‐2006. Mr. Peterson led the organization’s $1.5 billion program to transform Chicago’s public housing from unsafe, high‐ density developments to safe, low‐rise mixed‐income communities.
  • Alderman, Chicago, Illinois’ 17th Ward, 1996‐2000. Mr. Peterson generated more than $200 million in development for the Auburn‐Gresham and Englewood communities.
  • Mr. Peterson also served as executive assistant to Mayor Daley and as assistant commissioner of the City’s Department of Planning and Development.

Mr. Peterson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chicago State University and a Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University. He is also an alumnus of Harvard University Graduate School of Design’s Advanced Management Development Program in Real Estate.

Mr. Peterson served as Chairman for the board of Chicago Transit Authority during 2009 - 2020, Roosevelt University, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), One Chicago Foundation, Chicago Fire Department Foundation.