Billing & Insurance

...Paying Online Please click here to pay your bill online. Paying by Phone Please call (844) 598-9841 to make a payment using our automated phone service. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Paying by Mail Please send your payment to: Cook County Health P.O. Box 70121 Chicago, IL 60673-0121 In-Person Payment You may make...

Doing Business with Cook County Health

...who requested a set of Bid documents. The System SCM Director will not consider inquiries made in any other manner or to anyone else. However, the above notwithstanding, communications may be made with the Office of Contract Compliance in writing for the purpose of securing information necessary to respond to the provisions regarding minority and women owned business participation. Communication...

Public Health & Preventive Medicine

...residency has concurrent academic and practicum phases. The program is focused on preparing physicians with skills to improve the organization and delivery of preventive and chronic care services in a population framework, with a focus on strategies to reduce health disparities. The educational goal of the program is anchored by an ethic of service, recognition of the dignity of our...

Neurosurgery

...neurosurgical science continues to grow, even more education, knowledge, and judgment must be imparted in a compacted time frame. Therefore, we have taken measures to move our training program away from the classic service structure to a more truly academic one. By utilizing Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners to perform routine tasks and service functions, our residents have more time...

Residency/Fellowship Confirmation

...your email submission, please visit the following website: https://www.promisepoint.com/cchhslogin and log in with your username (first and last name, all lowercase and no spaces) to complete the assignments. If you are still having trouble accessing or completing the assignments, email us at professionaled@cookcountyhhs.org Online Modules – Complete the online educational modules. As proof, please print the Infection Control certificate, and...

CareLink Program

CareLink Program CareLink is a free program that helps Cook County residents cover the cost of care at any Cook County Health facility. CareLink discounts the cost of the following services: primary care visits, specialty doctor visits, clinic visits, lab tests, hospital stays and emergency services. Anyone living in Cook County may apply for financial help. They may also receive...

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

...ongoing care closer to home at one of our 12 health center locations throughout Cook County. What services are offered at the Bridge Clinic? Integrated addiction treatment with a prescriber and recovery coach Commonly prescribed medications: • Buprenorphine [Suboxone™, Brixadi™, Sublocade™, Zubsolv™] for opioid use disorder • Naltrexone [Vivitrol™] for opioid and alcohol use disorder • Naloxone [Narcan™] for opioid...

Academic Center Library

...Circulation, Policies & Services ​ Expanded Circulation Privileges Cook County Health Faculty (Attending Physicians, Fellows and Residents) can borrow books from the University of Illinois at Chicago Campus Library and Rush University Library. Faculty must register at the Library Circulation Desk, or fill out the Expanded Privileges Form online with a copied ID and send it to library@blank. See a...

Making an Impact

...revenues that were received for such services. Language Assistant Services Unreimbursed actual costs pertaining to language assistance service such as salaries and benefits of translators, costs of translation services provided via phone and costs of forms, notices and brochures provided in languages other than English, offset by any revenue received for these services. Research Cost of research activities conducted primarily...

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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.