Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Health CEO Israel Rocha and other county leaders announced today that Provident Hospital will begin accepting ambulance runs effective October 19, 2022.

“This is an exciting milestone and one that comes after a significant amount of investment and focus on this treasured and historic community hospital,” said President Preckwinkle.

Over the past several years, Cook County Health has invested more than $8 million to modernize the Provident campus, including upgrading the Emergency Department, expanding med/surg capacity, reopening the Intensive Care Unit, installing a new MRI and opening an outpatient dialysis center.

“It is an honor and privilege to be rejoining the EMS network and caring for patients in their greatest time of need,” said Israel Rocha, Jr., CEO, Cook County Health. “Provident Hospital is a true community asset, a trusted provider, and a place where our patients and staff feel like family.”

The Provident Hospital Emergency Department currently sees approximately 19,000 visits each year. The addition of ambulance runs is expected to increase this volume by a few thousand annually, with a commensurate increase in inpatient admissions.

Provident Hospital stopped accepting ambulances in early 2011.