Dia Nichols

Dia Nichols serves as President of Advocate Health Care, one of the largest private employers and the largest health system in Illinois, serving patients across 11 hospitals and more than 200 sites of care. Dia’s scope includes overseeing approximately 41,000 teammates and 7,000 physicians, and he leads the growth, development and strategic direction of the Illinois Division for Advocate Health, the nation’s third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system. 

A seasoned executive and an inclusive, solutions-driven leader, Dia previously served as President of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and the Central Chicagoland Area for Advocate Health Care. For 18 years, he also held various positions of increasing leadership responsibility with HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest health care systems, including chief executive officer, chief operating officer, and market lead executive. 

Dia has received numerous professional recognitions. He was recognized as a Chicago Titan 100 in both 2025 and 2026, a 2025 Crain’s Chicago Business Who’s Who honoree, and was named to Crain’s Chicago Business’ 2024 list of Notable Black Leaders and 2022 list of Notable Executives of Color in Health Care, among other accolades. 

He serves on the boards of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Illinois Economic Development Corporation, World Business Chicago, Ravinia Outdoor Music Festival, and the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, where he serves as Vice Chair. He has also served on the boards of the American Cancer Society and the Executive Cabinet of the American Heart Association. 

Dia earned a master’s degree in health administration from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from South Carolina State University. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the National Association of Health Services Executives. Dia and his wife, Andrea, have two children and live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.