Newsroom

Tips for Staying Cool During a Heat Wave and Information about Local Cooling Centers

June 29, 2026

Cook County Health Announces More than $1.3M in Scholarships to Students Pursuing Careers in Medicine

June 24, 2026

Cook County Health, Vitalant Partner to Encourage Blood Donations for Mom 

May 4, 2026

Navy Medicine renews commitment to excellence in trauma care

April 28, 2026

Cook County Health Recognizes 60th Anniversary of Trauma Unit

April 23, 2026

Get Medicaid Facts: New Site and Toolkit Launched to Educate Public About Looming Medicaid Eligibility Changes

April 10, 2026

Stroger Hospital Awarded $10,000 Grant from The Toy Foundation to Support Pediatric Patients

April 2, 2026

Cook County Health Announces Opening of Applications for 2026 Provident Hospital Scholarship Fund

March 12, 2026

Pritzker Traubert Foundation Awards First-Ever $5 Million to Chicago Talent Challenge to City Colleges of Chicago, Cook County Health

March 3, 2026

State, Cook County Leaders and Greater Chicago Food Depository Address Federal SNAP Cuts and Launch CCH “Food as Medicine” Initiatives 

January 23, 2026

Press Releases

July 24, 2026
GLP-1 & Opioid Use Disorder Research Study
June 29, 2026
Tips for Staying Cool During a Heat Wave and Information about Local Cooling Centers
June 24, 2026
Cook County Health Announces More than $1.3M in Scholarships to Students Pursuing Careers in Medicine

The Cook County Health communications team is available to support journalists in their reporting by providing information and coordinating interviews with health care experts. 

At Cook County Health, the protection of our patients’ privacy and safety is of paramount importance.

All media inquiries are to be directed to the CCH communications team. This includes interviewing, photographing, videotaping, requesting hospital information and updates on a patient’s condition.

Members of the media visiting a CCH facility in their professional capacity must be accompanied by a communications team member at all times.

Learn more about CCH’s media and filming policies

  • CCH patient care areas, including all areas of CCH community health centers, are considered private areas, per guidance from the Cook County State’s Attorney Office. Photographing, filming and recording are not permitted in patient care areas.    
  • Interviews and photo shoots must be scheduled in advance with the communications team for all patients, staff and providers.
  • A communications team member will escort a journalist to the designated location and remain with them at all times. 
  • A consent form must be signed before a patient can be interviewed or recorded, or before a CCH representative may comment on their care. 
  • Patients or a patient’s representative may not host media interviews within CCH facilities. All media requests must be coordinated through the CCH communications team, per CCH policy. 
  • Access to a patient or location may be denied if media’s presence may interfere with clinical care or exacerbate a patient’s condition.  
  • A one-word condition report may be provided in certain circumstances.

We appreciate your cooperation to respect the privacy and safety of our patients at Cook County Health.  Click here for FOIA information.

In accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), health care providers may not release information about a patient or their medical care (protected health information) without an authorized consent. Under HIPAA, a one-word statement of condition may be released in certain circumstances, provided that the requestor has the full name of the patient, and the patient is:  

  • 18 years of age or older
    • Conditions are not released for patients under 18
  • Not opted-out of the hospital directory 
  • Still admitted as an inpatient 

The following terms will be used to describe the patient’s condition:

Undetermined – The patient is awaiting physician assessment.

Good – Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable; indicators are excellent.

Fair – Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious but may be uncomfortable; indicators are favorable.

Serious – Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is acutely ill; indicators are questionable.

Critical – Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious; indicators are unfavorable.

Media Contacts

Alexandra Normington
Chief Communications & Marketing Officer
(312) 864-0950
[email protected]

Kate Hedlin
Director of Public Affairs
(312) 864-0938
[email protected]

Imani Harris
Communications Manager
(312) 864-2839
[email protected]

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