Health Beat

Community Outreach Worker

Email: acollins3@cookcountyhhs.org

Phone: 708-293-8217

A native Chicagoan, Alice fell in love with community outreach when she was only a teen. The youngest of 10 children, she got a job through the City of Chicago Summer Youth Employment program working at a local youth service agency, where she was part of a team reaching out to other teens and encouraging them to avoid unhealthy behaviors. Through that experience, as well as challenges her family faced, Alice developed a deep enthusiasm for sharing resources and information to make a difference in the lives of others.

Alice was the first in her family to obtain a Master’s Degree and has wide-ranging experience working in the non-profit and healthcare sectors. In her previous job, she helped homeowners experiencing foreclosure to avoid losing their homes. During her time there, Alice uncovered a large-scale fraud operation involving individuals deeding homes in foreclosure to themselves. She diligently followed up with law enforcement, elected officials, and HUD and advocated on behalf of the property owners. After a lengthy investigation, the State’s Attorney’s Office charged and convicted four people with fraud, and the victims were able to secure title to their homes. In response, Cook County changed the way property deeds are recorded, making homeowners less vulnerable to this type of theft.

At Cook County Health, as part of the Outreach team, Alice helps people connect with our health system and CountyCare so they can access the care they need. A graduate of the CCH Leadership Development Institute, she is devoted to serving our patients and investing in the communities where our clinics are located. She even advocated for sponsorship of a local youth baseball program in the Ford Heights community as a way for youth there to build confidence, be involved in team building and demonstrate Cottage Grove Health Center’s investment in the community.

Alice is committed to engaging diverse communities and is passionate about sharing Cook County Health’s motto, “We Bring Care to the Community”.

Community Outreach Worker

Email: kaelin.long@blank

Phone: 312-572-2154

As a native of Chicago, Kaelin Long grew a passion for developing connections, addressing substantial health concerns, and advocating for diversity and inclusion in underserved communities. Her love for community became evident through her passionate and persistent work both professionally and in her personal life. Kaelin is dedicated to giving back to the community through public service with non-profit organizations. Her work with the Ronald McDonald House Charities, allows her to provide support, health resources, and a sense of stability for families and children who are receiving medical attention.

Kaelin obtained a Masters Degree in Public Health from Indiana State University and began her journey into the field of public health and social services.  In previous roles, Kaelin worked for Chicago Commons Adult Day Service in the Englewood community and Catholic Charities of the Archdioceses located in Harvey Il. During her time spent with both organizations, Kaelin honed in on improving quality of life, implementing health initiatives, providing senior support services and advocating for seniors diagnosed with Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Her goal has always been to make a difference in the lives of others, while maintaining their dignity and respect.

Kaelin accepted her role as a Community Outreach Worker with Cook County Health and immediately saw it as an opportunity to engage and build lasting relationships with community members and leaders across the Chicagoland area. She began helping individuals to connect with our health system, County Care, and broaden their knowledge and access to all the services that are available to them.  Kaelin is committed to the empowerment, advancement, and acknowledgement of those who make our community feel like home.

Director of Community Affairs

Email: mgarcia6@cookcountyhhs.org

Phone: 312-864-0928

Marcelino Garcia is Cook County Health’s Director of Community Affairs. An attorney by training, he has expertise in local and international government, healthcare and community affairs. Marcelino has spent many years helping people with their legal difficulties through his public interest law work. He also works arduously to bring resources to communities to ensure their economic and health development.

Marcelino is devoted to public service, having worked in leadership roles at not‐for‐profits and governmental entities. Through his work at the Chicago Legal Clinic, he was able to help clients deal with mortgage foreclosures, domestic relations issues, bankruptcy, and immigration matters. Marcelino worked with management and budgets at the State of Illinois to ensure the efficient operation of entities and the avoidance of waste at all cost. His work also focuses on ensuring that Chicago is recognized as a true international city with the many different business and cultural attributes the region has to offer. Marcelino has many years of international business development experience, having worked as Senior Manager of International Relations for Chicago 2016, the Olympic Candidacy Committee and as Assistant Managing Director of the Illinois Office of Trade and Investment, where he worked with Illinois companies looking to export to new markets in the Americas, Africa and the Middle East.

Marcelino is a licensed attorney in the State of Illinois and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He earned his J.D. from Northwestern University and his Bachelor’s Degree from Dartmouth College. He is fluent in English and Spanish and proficient in French, Italian, and Portuguese. An avid traveler, he enjoys visiting new and interesting places to experience the world’s societies. He is an avid skier, swimmer and gourmand and enjoys interacting with people from all over the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkROynjexQw