Anesthesiology and Pain Management

...courage and stability are as important as enthusiasm for patient care, teaching and research.  The Anesthesiology and Pain Management Residency Program prefers the following credentials:  A score above 90th percentile on the USMLE Step I and II  Demonstrated excellence in the basic sciences and an ability and aptitude in clinical medicine Demonstrated interest in patient care, teaching, community service and...

Request Medical Records

...chart below, and you can pay by check or online at www.healthportpay.com. Original Medical Record Format Method of Delivery Estimated Fee Electronic Medical Records Delivered on CD or USB $6.50 flat fee Electronic Medical Records Produced to paper $0.90 flat fee electronic to paper $0.32 for envelope plus postage and $0.05 per page of paper Hybrid (part electronic part paper)...

ALL ARE WELCOME HERE

...acceso a Internet, cree una cuenta para cada miembro de la familia que haya sido atendido por Cook County Health en https://cookcountyhealth.org/patients-visitors/mycookcountyhealth/. Por favor visite www.cookcountyhealth.org para obtener información adicional sobre Cook County Health o llame al 773-395-7400 si tiene preguntas sobre su salud. Si experimenta una emergencia médica, llame al 911 de inmediato. Muchas gracias, El Equipo de Cook...

Nursing

...advancing the quality and availability of care for everyone in our community and champion of Cook County Health’s mission to deliver integrated health services with dignity and respect regardless of patient’s ability to pay. Cook County Health nurses are driven, talented, and take patient care personally. LEARN MORE ABOUT COOK COUNTY HEALTH ABOUT NURSING AT With nearly 1,300 full-time nurses,...

Pediatrics

...to take the certifying exam. Residents rotate through Cook County Health clinical sites throughout their training. Our residents provide general and subspecialty care to pediatric patients under faculty supervision. Each resident also establishes a panel of patients in their continuity clinic and provides outpatient care in that setting one afternoon per week. Residents are assigned a faculty adviser upon entering...

Office of Research & Regulatory Affairs (IRB)

...completed the in-person training within the last 3 years will be required to renew at their 3-year expiration date. Cook County Health Guidelines for Investigators – Under Revision CITI Program Instructions CITI Program: https://www.citiprogram.org/login Audits of Human Participant Research The Office of Research & Regulatory Affairs conducts audits on research projects involving human participants. Two types of audits are conducted:...

Good Faith Estimates

No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimates The “No Surprises Act” helps ensure that patients with commercial health insurance (health plans provided by an employer or purchased on the Health Insurance Marketplace) do not receive surprise bills for emergency services, or from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. It also created a process for uninsured or self-pay patients to request an...

Collaborative Research Unit

...of screening for partner violence on women’s quality of life: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 2012, 308:681-689. Popovich KJ, Lyles R, Hayes R, Hota B, Trick W, Weinstein RA, and Hayden MK. Relationship between chlorhexidine gluconate skin concentration and microbial density on the skin of critically ill patients bathed daily with chlorhexidine gluconate. Infect Contr Hosp Epidemiol, 2012, 33:889-896. Mayer...

Emergency Medicine Simulation

...General Surgery Surgical ICU Anesthesia OB/GYN Trauma Surgery Palliative Care Malcolm X paramedic students ACLS/BLS/PALS training Summary of Criteria for Successful Fellowship Completion Participation in most simulation weekly activities (approximately 20 hours/week) Scholarly project completion Administrative project completion Comprehensive Instructor Workshop – Center for Medical Simulation Fellows will receive the opportunity to go to the intensive immersion in health care...

Cook County Health Bridge Clinic

...you are experiencing an overdose or a medical emergency. Ways to Get Help Contact us today if you or a loved one need quick access to addiction treatment services. The Bridge Clinic is here for you, regardless of your ability to pay or your stage in recovery. Call to Make Appointment 312-864-4MAT (312-864-4628) Monday-Friday 8AM-2PM Leave a voicemail after hours;...

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Andrew G. Birkhead, MD, FAAFP, FASAM

Andrew Birkhead serves as an attending physician in the Department of Family & Community Medicine and holds the position of Medical Director at the Bridge Clinic.

Dr. Birkhead completed his residency in family medicine as Chief Resident at UIC, following his medical school graduation from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA. Certified in Family Medicine. Dr. Birkhead also holds fellowship distinctions in both Family and Addiction Medicine.

Based primarily at Cook County Health Englewood Health Center, Dr. Birkhead operates an outpatient primary care practice. Additionally, Dr. Birkhead provides inpatient medical care and obstetrics services at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County.

Monica Puente, LSW CADC

Recovery Coach Coordinator, Monica Puente is a seasoned bilingual and bicultural social worker with over a decade of experience specializing in HIV and substance use disorders (SUD). With a rich background in providing support to diverse communities, Puente has demonstrated a keen understanding of the intersecting challenges faced by individuals navigating these complex health issues.

Having worked at Cook County Jail in the OTP clinic, Puente has firsthand experience addressing the unique needs of incarcerated individuals grappling with SUD. This experience has underscored Puente’s commitment to delivering compassionate and culturally competent care within challenging environments.

Puente is deeply committed to advocating for equitable access to immediate treatment for vulnerable populations. Puente recognizes the urgency of addressing these issues and remains steadfast in her mission to empower individuals to lead healthier lives.

Diane Rosales, CADC

Recovery Coach, Diane Rosales, a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, embarked on her journey in the field of substance abuse in 1968. However, Rosales’ exposure to substance use and alcoholism began much earlier in life. 

As a former substance user, Rosales’ breakthrough in treatment led her to achieve sustained sobriety. From there, she pursued education relentlessly, earning a GED and eventually a master’s degree.

Rosales champions accessible and low-barrier treatment for patients, acknowledging its potential to save lives. Rosales has committed her career to making a positive impact on individuals’ lives and advocating for alternative paths to living.

Frances Norlock, DO MPH FACP

Dr. Frances Norlock earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, followed by a Master’s degree in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan and a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her residency training in internal medicine was completed at Rush University, after which she joined John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County in 1998.

As a primary care internist, Dr. Norlock provides care to patients at Cook County Health’s Austin Health Center and offers specialized services for individuals with substance use disorders at the General Medicine Clinic at the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital campus.

For over a decade, Dr. Norlock facilitated educational initiatives for residents and faculty, supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Primary Care Training and Enhancement grant. This included training faculty and staff to obtain licenses for prescribing medications to treat opioid use disorder.

Since 2008, Dr. Norlock has served as the Section Head of Medical Education for the Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care. Currently, she supervises the Addiction Medicine resident rotation, guiding internal medicine residents in evaluating and managing substance use disorders in their patients. Additionally, she co-authored and co-edited the book “Breast Health and Common Breast Problems: A Practical Approach” as part of the American College of Physicians Women’s Health book series. Dr. Norlock’s contributions extend to publications in esteemed journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Alexandra Albanese, MD FAAFP

Dr. Albanese serves as an attending physician in the Department of Family & Community Medicine and holds the role of Associate Program Director at the Cook County Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Albanese attended Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine for her medical education and completed her residency training at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Beyond addiction medicine, Dr. Albanese’s clinical interests encompass women’s health and chronic disease management.

Michael Nelson, MD

Dr. Michael Nelson, is a versatile medical professional specializing in emergency medicine, medical toxicology, and addiction medicine at John H. Stroger Jr., Hospital of Cook County. Dr. Nelson earned his medical degree from the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University and completed his emergency medicine residency at Cook County Emergency Medicine Residency. Dr. Nelson furthered his expertise with a fellowship in medical toxicology at the Toxikon Consortium/Cook County Hospital/University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center.

Dr. Nelson is actively involved in professional endeavors related to emerging drugs of abuse, substance use disorders, and the utilization of athletic performance-enhancing substances. Holding influential positions as the Chair of the Prescribing Practices Committee for the Illinois Opioid Advisory Council and as a member of the HOPE Taskforce for DuPage County and serves as a consultant for the Illinois Poison Control Center.

Janet Towns

Janet Towns serves as a community health worker, actively engaging with and assisting the community by facilitating access to resources, providing referrals, and offering support for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), drawing from her own lived experiences.