CHICAGO, IL – Cook County Health (CCH) is honored to announce that The National Association of Counties (NACo) has recognized CCH with 27 prestigious Achievement Awards at its 2026 Annual Conference and Exposition in New Orleans.

The annual NACo awards program, established in 1970, evaluates county-level public initiatives across the nation to spot best-in-class models of governance and community outreach.

The national honors recognized CCH’s efforts to improve patient outcomes, expand access to care, and address health disparities throughout Cook County. Of the 27 awards, 10 recognize health and equity programs within the health system’s hospitals and community health centers, and enterprise-wide administration.  The other awards recognize initiatives led by 库克县公共卫生局 和 CountyCare, the county’s Medicaid-managed care plan, which are both divisions of CCH.

CCH was recognized for its innovative work in expanding access to care through virtual medicine, providing bedside trauma care and intervention, and Medicaid advocacy.

“These national awards are a reflection of the dedication, innovation and excellence of the staff at Cook County Health,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Their work underscores our commitment to building a healthier, more equitable county, one where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.”

Among some of Cook County Health’s 2026 NACo Achievement Award Recipients:

Developing a Division Trauma Recovery & Injury Prevention

The Division of Trauma Recovery & Injury Prevention (TRIP) provides psychosocial and mental health services to trauma and burn patients and their family members. Patients and family members receive assessments for PTSD symptoms, depression, safety concerns and other needs. When appropriate, interventions including psychological first aid, trauma-informed counseling, bereavement and end-of-life support are provided. Patients are also connected to referrals and other resources to support their recovery.

ExpressCare Program

CCH’s ExpressCare initiative provides fast, low-barrier virtual and urgent care options to residents across Cook County. By expanding immediate access to clinical providers, the program delivers timely care for non-emergent conditions, reduces patient wait times and helps divert unnecessary visits from local emergency departments.

Medicaid Impact Working Group

This collaborative initiative brings together leaders from health care, human services and policy organizations to identify ways to strengthen Cook County’s safety-net infrastructure. The working group has developed strategies to advance systemic reforms, improve Medicaid enrollment and retention, and address structural health disparities across Cook County. The group also led to the development of GetMedicaidFacts.com, a low-barrier resource that helps Medicaid enrollees and the organizations that support them stay informed about changes to Medicaid.

Other recognized programs include:

• Behavioral Health Apprenticeship and Retention Hub
• Total Health Talks Podcast
• Telestroke Network
• Creative Culture and Wellness Initiative
• Third-Party Risk Management
• Virtual Observation Model
• Security Camera System Modernization

“These awards recognize not only what we have accomplished, but the continued commitment of our teams to finding new and better ways to serve Cook County residents,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis. “We are proud of this recognition and will continue working to ensure that high-quality, equitable health care is accessible to everyone who depends on Cook County Health.”

The 27 NACo Achievement Awards reflect the breadth of work underway across Cook County Health to make care more accessible, responsive and equitable. From expanding virtual care and supporting trauma recovery to strengthening the Medicaid safety net, CCH programs are helping advance its mission to improve the health and well-being of residents throughout Cook County.

To view a full list of Cook County programs that received a NaCo award, click 这里.

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