Board & Committee Meetings, Agendas & Minutes

Board & Committee Meetings, Agendas & Minutes 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 To receive Board & Committee meeting agendas via email, please complete the form below. Name* First Last Phone* Phone Type* HomeMobileWork Address* Street Address Address Line 2 City AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode...

Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center Pharmacy

The CORE Center Pharmacy fills prescriptions for patients seen by CORE Center providers only. The pharmacy staff will work with patients who do not have prescription benefits to get needed medications from the CORE Center Pharmacy or free of charge from the manufacturer. To refill your prescription, please call the 24-hour refill line at (312) 572-4880. Prescription refills will be...

APRN Fellowship

...provider shortage and creating a pipeline of APRNs for Cook County Health’s primary care clinics and other underserved settings. Learn from the Best! Cook County Health (CCH) has served the people of Cook County for over 180 years. Today it is the home to top health care practitioners, leading the field in caring for vulnerable populations. CCH holds ambulatory care...

Dental Care (Oral Health)

Maintaining proper oral care is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Practicing good oral hygiene is important to your oral health and overall health. At Cook County Health, we know that practicing good oral health care is important, which is why we partner with our patients to make sure they receive quality oral health care. We have dental services...

Request to Participate in a Program

Name* First Name Last Name Title Organization Email* Mobile Phone Work Phone Work Fax Website Address* Street Address Address Line 2 City AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific State ZIP Code Event Name Date* MM slash DD slash YYYY Start Time...

Neurology & Neurosurgery

...The Joint Commission for providing evidenced-based care for patients suspected of having a stroke. Tests The following tests and treatments are some of the most common ones offered by specialists in this area. Your Cook County Health physician will develop a treatment plan that best fits your specific health problem. Botox Electroencephalogram (EEG) Electromyogram (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS)...

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...

Nursing Services

Cook County Health nurses are an elite group of individuals who are dedicated to our mission of providing quality-care to vulnerable and underserved populations with compassion and integrity. As one of the largest departments within Cook County Health, composed of nearly 1,300 full-time nurses, nursing is a critical driver and the key to success for the organization. Cook County Health...

Cook County Health Bridge Clinic

...member or have health coverage through Medicare and you need a ride to your appointment, call 312-864-RIDE (7433) to schedule a ride. 24-hour notice is required. Many Medicaid health plans offer free rides. If you have coverage through another health plan, call your insurer to see if you qualify. About the Bridge Clinic The Bridge Clinic at Cook County Health...

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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.