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...

Academic Center Library

...Ovid PubMed Trip Medical Database (PRO version needs subscription) Up-to-Date Other Local Health Science Resource Libraries UIC Library of the Health Sciences Rush University Library Online Journals – For more journals, check Ovid or CINAHL Complete. AJN, American Journal of Nursing JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Dermatology JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery...

Anesthesiology and Pain Management

...& Medical Associations Society for Education in Anesthesia American Society of Anesthesiologists American Medical Association Free literature (books, journals, abstracts and texts) books.google.com Online Literature Research www.pubmed.com Google Scholar Blogspot by Josephine Tan at UCSF Free tutorials for PubMed Anesthesiology Online Study Material For procedures, diagnoses, physiology, treatments Anesthetic pharmacology Question of the day and peer-reviewed, referenced answers In-Training Exams...

Fentanyl Awareness

...has found its way into recreational drugs, often without the user’s knowledge. Its high potency increases the risk of overdose, especially for those who are unaware of its presence in in the drug they are using. In the Chicago region, fentanyl is commonly found in heroin, and in some supplies of cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, MDMA, counterfeit prescription pills (fake Oxycodone,...

Emergency Preservation & Resuscitation Trial (EPR)

...and restore normal blood volume. This procedure would only be performed when all other traditional treatments and resuscitation options were unsuccessful. If the cooling procedure is not done on these patients, the risk of death is 100%. What will happen during the study? In order to rapidly cool the patient, ice-cold saline (salt water) is pumped into the person through...

Urology

...completing a fellowship 38% percent are working in academic institutions 50% percent are in private practice The national pass rate for John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County Urology residents taking the American Board of Urology Part 1 written examination is 100 percent. Of the residents who have completed the Urology Residency, 100 percent are employed in this field....

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)...

Blue Island Health Center Pharmacy

To refill your prescription, please call the 24-hour refill line at (708) 293-8401. Prescription refills take approximately two full business days to fulfill.

Provident Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy

Only prescriptions written by a Cook County Health physician are filled by our pharmacy. To refill your prescription, please call the 24-hour refill line at (312) 572-2964. Prescription refills take approximately two full business days to fulfill.  ...

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...

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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.