Dear Cook County Health friends and partners,

Throughout February, we have been recognizing and celebrating Black History Month. This is a special month when we honor both the innovations and the sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape our nation.

African Americans have been essential to the history of Cook County Health and to making the health system what it is today. We are grateful to our colleagues past and present whose contributions have advanced our mission to serve all in need. Two remarkable African American leaders in our history include Dr. Daniel Hale Williams and Dr. Agnes Lattimer.

Surgeon Dr. Daniel Hale Williams opened Provident Hospital in 1891, the first Black-owned and operated hospital in the country. The hospital was founded to address the health care challenges facing African Americans in Chicago in the late 19th century. In 1893, Dr. Williams performed the first successful open-heart surgery at Provident, achieving a significant medical milestone and paving the way for future life-saving advancements in cardiology.

Dr. Agnes Lattimer was appointed as the medical director of Cook County Hospital in 1986, making her the first African American woman medical director of a major US hospital. Dr. Lattimer worked to improve health care access for indigent patients and children, with a special focus on eliminating the dangers of lead-based paint in old houses. She championed the "Philosophy of caring" during her tenure as medical director, emphasizing competence and compassion in care.

Drs. Williams and Lattimer are just two of the people whose legacies live on in what we do here at Cook County Health, ensuring access to high-quality health care for anyone who needs it, regardless of race or ability to pay.

Sincerely,

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined Cook County Health physicians and leaders for a Black History Month Facebook Live Discussion on February 16. Participants discussed health equity and the issues facing the Black community.

To watch the panel, click here.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined Cook County Health Chief Executive Officer Israel Rocha and Cook County Department of Public Health Chief Operating Officer Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck at a press conference to announce the recipients of $14.7 million in CCDPH’s Building Healthier Communities: Behavioral Health Initiative grants to support behavioral health services, positive youth development, and opioid overdose prevention and harm reduction programs throughout suburban Cook County.

Eighteen community-based organizations and agencies (CBOs) received grants ranging from $250,000 to over $1 million. The funding will be dispersed over a four-year period. The grant is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury under the “American Rescue Plan Act” (ARPA). The Building Healthier Communities: Behavioral Health Initiative will address inequities in mental health and substance use in suburban Cook County. The initiative was built on a foundation of equity and inclusivity and aims to increase and enhance access to a full continuum of integrated and equitable behavioral health and substance use services, support, and treatment for suburban Cook County’s most vulnerable communities.

Data shows that behavioral health needs have increased globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the U.S., the presence of depression and anxiety increased by more than 25% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 50% of Americans reported recent symptoms of anxiety or depression, and 10% felt their mental health needs were not being met.

“This initiative strengthens our commitment to promoting and building health equity across the County,” said County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, “It focuses on the significant and negative impact that inequities in mental health and substance use have on the people and communities in suburban Cook County.” 

According to the National Institutes of Health, people who are more likely to experience mental illnesses or disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, include: children, mothers, and pregnant people; people from racial or ethnic minority groups; people with financial or housing insecurity; people with disabilities; and people with pre-existing mental illnesses or substance use problems.

CCDPH announced an open call for applications from October 2022 to January 2023 for CBOs in suburban Cook County providing these services.

“The vision of achieving health equity for all residents of Cook County drives all our work. This grant program allows us to support organizations in effecting positive change and implementing behavioral health strategies at the community level in areas where they are needed most,” said CCH Chief Executive Officer Israel Rocha.

Grant Recipients

The following 18 Building Healthy Communities: Behavioral Health Initiatives grant recipients represent more than 30 priority communities throughout suburban Cook County where significant health inequities exist. The awarded programs will provide residents access to essential behavioral health and harm-reduction services. Congratulations!

Mental Health

1. Hoffman Estates Department of Health and Human Services ($250k)
2. Shelter Inc. ($250k)
3. Black Alphabet ($250k)
4. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago ($1M)
5. Arab American Family Services ($1M)
6. Legacy Medical Care ($1M)
7. Asian Health Coalition ($1M)
8. NAMI Metro Suburban ($1M)

Positive Youth Development

1. Kenneth Young Center ($250k)
2. Playworks Illinois ($250k)
3. Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault ($250k)
4. Girls on the Run Chicago ($1M)
5. Pillars Community Health ($1M)
6. Big Brothers Big Sisters ($1M)
7. Youth Guidance ($1M)

Opioid Overdose Prevention

1. Family Guidance Centers ($1.3M)
2. Housing Forward ($1.2M)
3. Proactive Community Services ($1.3M)

“We know that the pandemic has exacerbated mental health and substance use challenges for Cook County residents and their families,” said CCDPH Chief Operating Officer Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “So, we’re looking forward to working with our community partners to help meet the critical needs of our residents and help them chart a healthier path forward. We value the lifesaving contributions of all organizations that applied and hope to find creative ways to amplify their good work throughout the community.”  

You Are Invited! CCH State of the System Townhall

We are inviting all Cook County Health community stakeholders to participate in a townhall meeting about the health system’s three-year strategic plan.

Please join Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and CCH CEO Israel Rocha on Wednesday, March 15 at 5:30 pm in the CCH Professional Building, 1950 W Polk St, 5^th Floor, Chicago.

Click here to view the CCH strategic plan.

Please join us and share your perspective!

To RSVP, please email RSVP@cookcountyhhs.org by March 13. 

Cook County Health was recently welcomed as Chicago ARC’s newest health care partner. Chicago ARC and CCH share a commitment to reducing health inequities through community-informed and innovation-enabled approaches. 

Chicago ARC will source global best digital health solutions and best practices to support CCH priority needs in areas such as chronic disease management, trauma-informed care, and maternal and child health equity. Curated technology solutions will be implemented and piloted to support and serve Cook County residents in the communities where they live and where they receive care.

“The global solutions and approaches the Chicago ARC will open up to Cook County Health will help deliver on our mission to establish universal access to the world’s best care and health services for all Cook County residents, regardless of the ability to pay, so all may live their healthiest life,” said Israel Rocha, CEO of Cook County Health.



CCH joins the Chicago ARC collaborative which includes Sheba Medical Center, Newsweek global Top-10 hospital and Israel’s largest medical center. The ambitious partnership will tackle health care inequities through market-driven, community-informed solutions and the attraction of startups that will support the region’s underserved populations.

“The Chicago ARC will work with Cook County Health to bring the global solutions of tomorrow to those who need it today,” said Kate Merton, Executive Director of the Chicago ARC. “Together with Cook County Health and our other partners we will use new technologies to expand care to the historically underserved and support frontline health care providers, while positioning Chicago as the hub for health equity innovation.”

Cook County Health is joining the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) in taking steps to prepare for the end of the state and federal Covid-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). When the PHE ends, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will end its continuous coverage provision, which has allowed HFS to keep Medicaid members insured without confirming all eligibility requirements.

To help as many people as possible keep their Medicaid coverage, HFS needs updated addresses to send people their renewal forms. We ask that you help get the message out.

People who are enrolled in Medicaid can update their addresses two ways: calling the HFS hotline (877-805-5312), or through an HFS web form (www2.illinois.gov/hfs/address).

HFS has put out a toolkit to help with messaging. Click here to access it to help spread the message.

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