Dr. Erik Mikaitis has been nominated to become the next chief executive officer of Cook County’s vast public health system.Mikaitis, 46, has been interim CEO at Cook County Health for almost a year. He replaced Israel Rocha Jr., who left for another job.The Cook County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to discuss Mikaitis’s potential approval and pay next week, a health system spokeswoman said.In a statement, Lyndon Taylor, who leads the health system’s board of directors, said the national CEO search lasted about eight months.“Dr. Mikaitis stood out in the field of multiple high-caliber candidates for his commitment to quality and process improvement, strategic vision, and dedication to the health system’s mission,” Taylor said.Cook County Health is one of the largest public health systems in the nation, with a legacy and mission to treat people no matter if they can pay.The health system has two hospitals — flagship John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital on the Near West Side and Provident Hospital on the South Side — several clinics throughout Chicago and the suburbs, and a large Medicaid health insurance plan for low-income and disabled residents.Cook County Health has been the main medical provider for migrants arriving from Central and South America for the last two years.Mikaitis joined Cook County Health in 2022 as chief quality officer. He was responsible for helping to improve patient outcomes.Kristen Schorsch covers public health and Cook County government for WBEZ.