ALL ARE WELCOME HERE

...will be free and your personal and health information will not be shared. In order for us to provide the best care, we ask that you: 1. Tell the doctor or nurse about any health issues you or your child has and any medications you are taking including any refills you may need. 2. Please provide our staff with as...

MyCookCountyHealth

...MyCookCountyHealth technical assistance, call 1-877-621-8014. Download the MyCookCountyHealth app today. Visit Google Play for Android or App Store for iPhone to download the app. Connect your health management apps We now offer the ability for you to securely connect some of the health management apps you may use (i.e. fitness trackers, dietary trackers, etc.) to your health record. For more...

Academic Center Library

...Health employees. There are 15 computers in the library with Microsoft Office access. Using these programs takes precedence over Internet searching on those computers. Miscellaneous Please be considerate of others while in the library. Please refrain from loud noises and talking that might disturb other patrons. Please do not bring food or beverages (except water) into the library. Please refrain...

Pediatrics

...case is thoroughly discussed with attending physicians, residents and medical students. Residents are required to become certified in Basic Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Program and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. These courses are offered free to all residents. Teaching takes place in many other settings, including attending rounds, the morbidity and mortality conference, journal club, the simulation lab, online modules, and...

Fentanyl Awareness

...naloxone if available. Try to keep the person awake and breathing. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking if they vomit. Stay with the person until emergency responders arrive. Remember, an overdose is a medical emergency. It’s important to act quickly and get professional help. Care Resources Cook County Health substance use disorder care Quick Access Bridge Clinic:...

Nursing

...Health. EXTERNAL APPLICANT INTERNAL APPLICANT Did you have great nursing care at Cook County Health? Nominate your nurse for a DAISY Award! In Cook County Health’s online application system, you must create a Candidate Profile to begin the application process. All applications must be submitted online. More FAQs about the employment process at Cook County Health can be found here....

Office of Research & Regulatory Affairs (IRB)

...their in-person training. You must have a Cook County Health ID to attend the in-person session. Researchers who have already completed the in-person training will only have to complete the CITI modules. Researchers who have not taken the in-person training in the last 3 years are required to complete the HSR course by the end of 2019. Those that have...

Cook County Health Bridge Clinic

...text messages not accepted. Request Appointment Click here to submit online request A care coordinator will reach out to you Walk-in to the Bridge Clinic Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center 2020 W. Harrison St. Chicago, IL Monday-Friday 8AM-2PM Email to Request Appointment bridge@ cookcountyhhs.org A care coordinator will reach out to you Need a ride? If you are a CountyCare...

Electronic Testimonial Submission

Update: April 2020 In compliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders 2020-7, 2020-10, and 2020-18, attendance at meetings of the CCH Board and its Committees will be by remote means only, until a date to be determined. Written public comment on any of the items listed on the agendas of remotely-held meetings will be accepted electronically.  Testimony can be submitted electronically...

Family Planning

...Health Center (Family Medicine) Coming soon! Robbins Health Center (Family Medicine) John Sengstacke Health Center at Provident Hospital (Family Medicine & OB/GYN) John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County Family Planning (OB/GYN) John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County Gyne (OB/GYN) John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County Labor & Delivery (for post-partum patients) (Family Medicine &...

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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.