Surgery

...that affect the head and neck, including cancer. Our trained team treats disorders affecting the ears, nose, mouth, throat, sinuses, voice box and upper windpipe. Specifically, for conditions affecting ears, including hearing loss and ongoing infections in the ear canal and ear drum, our sinus specialists provide state-of-the-art treatment for ongoing nasal/sinus disease, as well as collaboration with our Neurosurgery...

Lung Health (Pulmonary)

...Sleep Clinic - Clinic G John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County 1969 W. Odgen Ave. Chicago, IL 60612 (312) 864-6000 Monday from 8:30 am to 12 pm Wednesday from 12 - 4 pm Asthma Clinic Provident Hospital of Cook County 500 E. 51st St. Chicago, IL 60615 (312) 572-2000 Monday from 12 - 4 pm Thursday from 8:30...

About Cook County Health

We are Cook County Health Cook County Health has served the people of Cook County for over 180 years. Today, we are home to top doctors and excellent staff who fulfill our mission and change lives. Cook County Health is investing in our network and modernizing services for patients. We’re leading the field in cutting-edge technology, increased capacity and innovative...

Pain Medicine

...March to June. Final decisions will be made by the end of September. Visa Information All residents, clinical fellows, research fellows, and staff who are not U.S. citizens and do not have a green card must have the appropriate visa in order to receive an appointment at the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Rotations Interventional Pain Procedures...

Cook County Health Bridge Clinic

The Bridge Clinic at Cook County Health is your entry point into recovery. We act as an urgent care clinic for those struggling with opioid and/or alcohol use. The Bridge Clinic provides rapid access to treatment without judgement. Common examples of opioids include heroin and prescription pills like oxycodone (Percocet, OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, fentanyl, and morphine. Call 911 if...

Family Planning

Reproductive and Women's Health Services Quality and compassionate care right in your community. Cook County Health is now offering free or low-cost family planning services. Contraception (Birth Control) Cook County Health offers a range of contraceptive options to help women prevent pregnancy Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) Wearable birth control (the patch) Contraceptive vaginal ring (NuvaRing) Injectable contraceptive (Depo-Provera shot)...

OB/GYN

...following conditions, including (but not limited to): Advanced pelvic surgery Benign pelvic and uterine fibroid tumors Colposcopy Cervical dysplasia Cervical cancer Endometriosis Fallopian tube cancer Galactorrhea Gestational trophoblastic diseases Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related disorders HPV vaccination Menstrual abnormalities Menopause Menstruation Minimally invasive surgical techniques Modern contraceptive care including: Birth control pills Intrauterine contraception (IUDs), long-acting contraceptive injections and implants Surgical female...

Patient Rights & Responsibilities

As a patient of Cook County Health, understanding your rights and responsibilities can help us provide you with quality health care. Cook County Health includes these facilities: John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County Provident Hospital of Cook County Cermak Health Services of Cook County Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center Ambulatory & Community Health Network Cook County Department of...

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...

Trauma & Burn

...to the outpatient and rehabilitation settings. The Trauma and Burn Residency Program trains over 100 residents rotating through the unit every year. Surgical residents from Rush University, Northwestern University, Midwestern University and variety of other medical universities rotate through the service during both their junior and senior years of training. Emergency Medicine residents from a variety of programs, including Cook...

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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, CHW

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.