Cook County Health • System News • May 2024

May 2024

Letter from the CEO

Dear Cook County Health friends and partners,

May was an exciting month at Cook County Health as we celebrated our staff in various recognition events, as well as marked new milestones for the health system.

This month we recognize Hospital Week and Nurses Week. A strong public health system serves as the backbone of our community, and nowhere is that truer than here in Cook County. In 2023, our hospitals, clinics, and public health system, provided care for nearly 200,000 unique patients. These are not only our patients, but our family members, friends, and neighbors whom we have the privilege of serving.

Our staff is critical to the continued innovation and advancement of our health system.

On May 28, we cut the ribbon on a new Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit at Stroger Hospital. The unit will provide more advanced care for patients who are experiencing complex neurological conditions and injuries.

Without intervention, every second after a brain injury affects brain cells, often permanently. This can cause long-term complications or even death. It is critical that patients can receive the highest level of care when they need it.

And while no one chooses to come to a neurocritical unit, residents should feel confident knowing that they have access to the most advanced neurologic care right here at Stroger Hospital.

Notably, the unit will also allow for direct transfer from area hospitals that do not have access to the technologies that Stroger Hospital is now able to provide our patients.

This is another critical step in our health system’s ongoing investments to ensure that patients at Cook County Health have access to cutting-edge medicine. Last month, we celebrated the launch of our robotic-assisted surgery program.

Cook County Health is proud to be able to offer state-of-the-art care to our patients and the communities we serve, and I am grateful to our staff who continue to provide compassionate and innovative care.

Sincerely,

Dr. Erik Mikaitis

Interim CEO, Cook County Health

Cook County Health's Podcast, Total Health Talks, is Live

Whether someone is interested in medical breakthroughs, recent health news, or practical tips for well-being, our CCH podcast aims to be a go-to source for informative and engaging content. Stay tuned as a new episode comes out monthly!

Visit https://cookcountyhealth.org/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

Cook County Health Cuts Ribbon on Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit

On May 28, Cook County leaders joined Cook County Health officials to celebrate the opening of a new Neurosciences ICU unit at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital that enables Cook County Health to provide the most advanced care to patients with complex neurological conditions and injuries.

“Time is brain. Neurological injuries need rapid and comprehensive treatment,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, Interim CEO, Cook County Health. “Being able to provide advanced critical care helps improve outcomes for patients with the most complex neurological and neurosurgical conditions."

The unit is run by physicians who are Board-certified in neurocritical care, and features:

24/7 ability to care for critically ill neuro patients, such as those with acute strokes, brain hemorrhages, aneurysm rupture, refractory seizures and traumatic brain or spinal cord injury
Advanced technologic capabilities, including:
Continuous EEG monitoring
Monitoring of intracranial pressure and brain oxygen levels
Pupillometry measurement equipment
Latest neuroimaging technology with AI program
Telemedicine coverage, allowing board-certified neurocritical care physicians to offer round-the-clock care for Stroger and Provident Hospitals as well as consults for other area hospitals.
Ability to care for complex critically ill patients via coordination with neurosurgical services and trauma services from our Level 1 Trauma Center
A neuro emergency transfer program to accept direct transfers from area hospitals

“Our commitment is to deliver exceptional and compassionate neurological and neurosurgical care,” said Dr. M. Sohel Ahmed, Director of the Neurosciences ICU. “The new unit has highly advanced tertiary care that will allow us to receive neurological emergencies from the Chicagoland area and beyond.”

The opening of the Neurosciences ICU is the latest step in Cook County Health’s ongoing commitment to providing patients access to the latest medical technologies. In April, Stroger Hospital launched its robotic-assisted surgery program.

Walk with a Doc!

If the benefits of exercise could be put into a pill form, it would be one of the most frequently prescribed medications. Regular walks can strengthen the heart, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and more.

Take a step toward better health! Cook County Health has started a local chapter of the community walking program, Walk with a Doc, to provide a fun and safe place to take a walk at your own pace, get health tips from CCH providers, and meet new people. The walks are free and all are welcome!

Our inaugural walk will be held during the 4 Men Health Fair on Saturday, June 8, at 10:30 am. Meet in front of Provident Hospital, 500 E 51^st St., Chicago, IL and the group will walk around Washington Park. Click here to register.

We hope to see you there!

Cook County Health Hosts Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi to Discuss Fentanyl Epidemic

On May 28, U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi visited Cook County Health to discuss the flow of fentanyl into the country. In 2023 there were more than 1,800 opioid-related deaths, with the vast majority being fentanyl-related.

Cook County Health has resources available for those experiencing substance use disorder, including access to the Bridge Clinic, which provides low-barrier access medication for addiction treatment.

To learn more, visit https://cookcountyhealth.org/bridgeclinic/.

Cook County Health and CountyCare Urge Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults/Seniors (HBIA/HBIS) Members to Renew Coverage

Cook County Health and CountyCare Health Plan are reminding all individuals who receive health coverage through the State of Illinois’ Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) programs to submit their renewal paperwork this month to keep their coverage.

HBIA/HBIS is a landmark State program that provides health care coverage for individuals who are 42 and over and do not qualify for traditional Medicaid due to their immigration status.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is conducting annual renewals for all HBIA and HBIS members. This process, also known as redetermination, is an annual benefits eligibility check.

The redetermination forms for most HBIA and HBIS members were mailed on April 1, 2024. If a member does not respond by mid-May, they will receive a 30-day grace period.

However, individuals must be sure to submit the necessary paperwork before June 14, or they may lose coverage effective July 1, 2024.

All Medicaid members and HBIA/HBIS members must go through redetermination each year. Members can find their renewal due date and confirm their correct mailing address at abe.illinois.gov in “Manage My Case” or by calling 1-800-843-6154.

CountyCare redetermination events are open to all Medicaid and HBIA/HBIS members. Find event dates and locations by visiting countycare.com/redetermination/.

All information provided during redetermination is used solely for program operation and will NOT be shared for immigration enforcement purposes.

CountyCare is the only health plan that provides free health coverage with no co-pays to HBIA/HBIS members. For more information about CountyCare’s program for HBIA/HBIS members visit https://countycare.com/access/

To learn more about HBIA and HBIS, please visit the State of Illinois’ FAQ page.

CCH's Blood Drive at Provident Hospital

Cook County Health is proud to partner with Vitalant to host a blood drive on June 6 at Provident Hospital from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Vitalant Bloodmobile (Front Entrance)

To schedule an appointment, call Vitalant at 877-258-4825 or scan the QR code in the flyer. While appointments are recommended, walk-ins are welcome.

Hospital and Staff Recognitions

Stroger Hospital has received a "B" safety grade from the Leapfrog Organization. The report ranks nearly 3,000 hospitals across the country on safety by using more than 30 metrics that have a "direct impact on patient safety outcomes." Learn more with NBC 5 Chicago.

Congratulations to Linh Dang, Chief Experience Officer of Cook County Health, for getting recognized by Beckers in their 54 CXOs to know list of 2024.

Cook County Health celebrated outstanding nurses and health partners at the Nurse Excellence Awards earlier this month. Congratulations to:

Rhodelyn Bedford,

Education and Mentorship

Cristina Guerrero,

Excellence in Public Health Care

Thomas Liss,

Partners in Nursing

Linda Liu,

Volunteerism

Jarretha McColmey,

Clinical Nursing

Jeelan McCray,