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Dear Cook County Health friends and partners,
This month, as students start heading back to school, Cook County Health wishes all children and their families a safe and healthy school year.
A few reminders for families:
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COVID-19 vaccines remain an important tool to slowing the spread of COVID, especially in settings like schools. You can make an appointment for you or your child by visiting vaccine.cookcountyil.gov.
- Back-to-school physicals, including sports physicals, are required for many children. If your child needs to establish care, call 312-864-0200. This is also a good time for adults to schedule their yearly visit to the doctor.
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The CDC considers the risk of monkeypox in school and daycare settings to be low. To read about their guidance, visit here. For those who are most at-risk, Cook County Health is providing vaccination, screening, and- as needed- treatment.
As the summer comes to a close and families and friends begin to gather indoors again, we urge you to make sure you are up-to-date on all of your vaccines, including COVID shots and boosters.. We anticipate being able to offer the bivalent vaccine booster (which targets both the original COVID virus and newer variants) shortly after approval from the FDA and CDC. However, if you are over age 50, or at high risk for serious disease from COVID, you should not wait. Get a booster now. You will still be eligible for a bivalent booster this fall.
Cook County Heath has provided more than 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. It has been an honor to be a leading vaccine provider in our region and we look forward to continuing our vaccine campaign as we work to protect the health of all residents of Cook County.
Sincerely,
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COVID Update: Vaccines and Boosters | |
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Earlier this summer, the FDA and CDC approved the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months and older.
“Getting vaccinated helps to protect your child against serious COVID complications and helps prevent your child from spreading COVID to more vulnerable family or friends,” said Dr. Nimmi Rajagopal, Associate Chair of Family and Community Medicine at CCH. “There are years of science behind the COVID vaccines. I got my son vaccinated as soon as I was able to, and I am recommending that all of my patients get their shot.”
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge throughout our area, please know that community members can get a COVID vaccine or test at one of five CCH locations across Cook County.
Community vaccination and testing is available at the following sites:
Current CCH patients can continue to get a COVID vaccine or test at their physician’s office.
Booster shots are also now recommended for all people age 5 and older. Individuals age 50 and older and immunocompromised adults are eligible for a second booster.
To make a COVID vaccine appointment, visit vaccine.cookcountyil.gov, or call 833-308-1988 between the hours of 7:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. To pre-register for a COVID test or for testing questions call 833-308-1988 between the hours of 7:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, and 7:00 am – 4:00 pm Saturday.
New COVID Boosters on the Horizon
Both Pfizer and Moderna have developed bivalent COVID vaccines: vaccines that help protect the body against the original COVID strain and the BA.4/BA.5 variants that are currently circulating. These vaccines are expected to be available as early as next month. The federal government has pre-ordered 171 million doses of bivalent vaccine from these two manufacturers.
Pfizer has submitted an application to the FDA and CDC for its bivalent vaccine to be available to people age 12 and older. Moderna has submitted an application for its bivalent vaccine for people age 18 and older. The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will be meeting on September 1 and 2 to review the applications.
Pending FDA and CDC approval, expects to begin offering the bivalent vaccines as soon as supply becomes available.
Sign up to receive the latest updates from Cook County Health at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov.
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Monkeypox Vaccines Available by Appointment at Select Cook County Health Sites | |
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Cook County Health is offering monkeypox vaccines for individuals who qualify at select CCH health centers. CCH is following local health department guidance for determining vaccine eligibility.
Currently there is a limited supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine, which has been approved by the FDA for the prevention of monkeypox in people ages 18 and older.
The JYNNEOS vaccine is currently only recommended for (1) individuals with close contact with a person with confirmed monkeypox infection or (2) for persons at higher risk of exposure, including people who identify as gay, bisexual or other (cis or trans) men who have sex or intimate contact with men.
For more details about Cook County Health’s monkeypox services click here to view a flyer in English, and click here to view a flyer in Spanish.
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Provident Scholarship Fund Awards 31 Recipients Pursuing Careers in Health Care | |
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On August 2, Cook County leaders and the Cook County Health Foundation awarded 31 scholarships to students pursuing careers in health care through the new Provident Scholarship Fund.
The Provident Scholarship Fund was set up to remove barriers to health care careers and support students who are committed to serving underserved communities. Scholarships were given to health professionals, including medical and dental students, high school senior students entering a health care program, and students in the allied health/undergraduate programs.
Medical and dental students, under the health professionals program received $20,000 scholarships, and the allied health/undergraduate and high school senior students received $10,000 scholarships.
The Cook County Board of Commissioners allocated $1 million of funding to support the scholarship program. In addition, Cook County Health Foundation (CCHF) raised $100,000 to support this year’s scholarship awards. To donate to the CCH Foundation, visit cchealthfoundation.org.
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Cook County Health Celebrates Back-to-School at Bud Billiken Parade | |
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Top Cancer Doctor
Dr. Elizabeth Marcus, Chair of Breast Oncology for Cook County Health, was named to Chicago Magazine’s Top Doctors list for 2022. Dr. Marcus is an expert in oncology who specializes in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. She has expertise in treating locally advanced breast cancer and conducting research to improve multidisciplinary treatment. Dr. Marcus is particularly focused on caring for underserved populations and serves as a subject matter expert on improving care delivery to minority communities as a member of the National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Steering Committee.
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Dr. Mike Alebich, Co-Director of Medical Student Programs and Attending Physician in the Division of Hospital Medicine, has been named an “Emerging Leader” by the Health & Medicine Policy Research Group (HMPRG). In his nomination, Dr. Alebich was recognized as “a dedicated problem solver. He takes on whatever obstacle may interfere with patients getting what they need and works for solutions with an eye towards access and equity. He is about making things better for everyone…Despite being early in his career, Dr. Alebich’s leadership has already made a tremendous impact at Cook County Health.” The award will be given at HMPRG’s gala on September 29, 2022.
Becker’s Healthcare recently recognized two Cook County Health leaders. Chief Strategy Officer Andrea Gibson was named one of the great chief strategy officers for health systems in the country. Becker’s notes that the recognized chief strategies officers “drive forward key deals and initiatives aligned with the health system's core mission and growth… [They] are champions of digital transformation and cultural shifts to for the organization to deliver better, more effective patient care.” Linh Dang, Chief Experience Officer, was named an outstanding chief experience officer. “The best CXOs are obsessed with delivering truly patient-centered care and focused on breaking down organizational barriers to a seamless, stress-free patient and caregiver experience,” wrote Becker’s.
The Cook County Department of Public Health’s Contact Tracing Initiative Care Resource Coordination Team has been selected as a 2022 Innovative Practice Bronze Awardee by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The group notes that the designation of the program as a Bronze Innovative Practice demonstrates the highest level of program innovation to meet the needs of the communities CCDPH served during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congratulations to Dr. Darcie Moeller, Maureen Rosenbager and Jessica Yee and the entire CCDPH team for their work.
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Meet Dr. LaMar Hasbrouk, Chief Operating Officer, Cook County Department of Public Health | |
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Dr. LaMar Hasbrouk was recently named Cook County Department of Public Health’s Chief Operating Officer.
During the COVID-19 pandemic Dr. Hasbrouck advised Fortune 500 companies on virus mitigation and safe re-opening strategies. He previously served as the Executive Director for the National Association of County and City Health Officials which represents the nation’s 3,000 local health departments. Prior to that, Dr. Hasbrouck was the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. Additionally, he served as a Senior Advisor for Strategy at the American Medical Association, charged with growing relationships with health care systems, community health centers, payers, and other public/private entities to eliminate gaps in chronic disease prevention across all populations. Dr. Hasbrouck also spent twelve years as senior medical officer at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where he was actively engaged in two of the largest global health initiatives in history: the World Health Organization’s polio eradication program and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Dr. Hasbrouck earned his Masters of Public Health from the University of California-Berkeley and his doctorate from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. His internal medicine residency took place at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He received a certificate in State Health Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School and earned his MBA from the University of Saint Mary.
He is a diplomat with the American Board of Internal Medicine and a former member of the Advisory Committee to the CDC Director, Health Disparities Subcommittee.
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Join the Illinois Medical District for the Rise to Shine 10K/5K/1M Walk/Run | |
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The Chicago Lighthouse and Chicago Central Lions Club will host a 10K/5K and 1 mile walk/run on Sunday, October 23.
Rise to Shine Run & Walk welcomes runners and walkers with visual, hearing and physical disabilities. Visit our website to learn about event accessibility and guide information at rise2shinerace.org.
The event will benefit The Chicago Lighthouse and the Chicago Central Lions Club. The organizations are working together to promote healthy lifestyles and vision services in the Illinois Medical District through 40 educational, health, employment and independent-living programs for people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled or veterans.
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211 Metro Chicago Virtual Information Sessions | |
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Cook County, the City of Chicago, and United Way of Metro Chicago are inviting community stakeholders to participate in virtual informational sessions about the launch of 211 Metro Chicago.
2-1-1 is a free, 24/7/365 confidential referral and information helpline and website that connects people to the essential health and social service help they need when they need it, such as food, housing supports, legal aid, and more.
Session attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about what 2-1-1 is and how it functions, what the implementation will look like, and how 2-1-1 will affect social service access in our region.
You only need to register for one session as the same agenda and information will be presented at each. Click the links below to register.
Session 1: Thursday, September 8, 1:00-2:00 pm
Session 2: Thursday, September 8, 2:00-3:00 pm
Session 3: Friday, September 9, 1:00-2:00 pm
Email 211MetroChicago@LIVEUNITEDchicago.org with any questions.
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Cook County Health in the News | |
If you would like to invite a representative from CCH to attend a community event, please send an email to events@cookcountyhhs.org.
To provide feedback on CCH Community News, update your contact information, or unsubscribe, please email Marcelino Garcia, Director of Community Affairs, at mgarcia6@cookcountyhhs.org.
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