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Dear Cook County Health friends and partners,
Last week I was honored to officially be named as Cook County Health’s new CEO. It is both exciting and humbling to have the opportunity to lead a health system with such an important and historic mission.
For nearly 200 years, Cook County Health has been a beacon of hope for all in need of care, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status. Our mission is a testament to the values we all share, that everyone, no matter their circumstances, has a fundamental human right to compassionate, quality health care.
As we continue to elevate the health system and innovate ways in which to provide the highest levels of care for our patients, I am looking forward to continuing to collaborate with our community partners to ensure access to care for all.
My vision for Cook County Health is to build on the strong foundation that has been established and lead the health system to a future rooted in equity, high reliability, and innovation.
Growing up on Chicago’s Southside, my family instilled in me the importance of public service. Today, the question that drives me is, “How can I make things better for both those we serve, and those who are doing the work?”
The future at Cook County Health is bright. I am grateful to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and the Cook County Health Board of Directors for this nomination. I am also thankful to the staff at CCH who elevate our health system, and I am thankful to you for your support in advancing the work we do.
Thank you for your partnership.
Sincerely,
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Dr. Erik Mikaitis
CEO, Cook County Health
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Cook County Health Launches Robotic Lung Cancer Biopsy System | |
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On October 15, Cook County Health hosted Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to celebrate the launch of the Intuitive Surgical ION Navigational Bronchoscopy platform at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital in Chicago.
Robotic navigational bronchoscopy is a cutting-edge tool that makes diagnosing lung cancer safer, quicker, and more accurate. The technology allows for less invasive biopsies, which means less pain and risk of complications for patients, as well as a faster time to treatment and recovery. Cook County Health launched the program in September and offers the procedure at Stroger Hospital.
“It is important that every person in Cook County has access to the types of care that will allow them to live their healthiest lives,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “Thanks to this investment by Cook County Health, patients now have access to technology that can help diagnose early lung cancer.”
This technology is currently available at fewer than a dozen academic medical centers in the county. Cook County Health is one of the leading government-sponsored health systems in the nation, serving all patients regardless of immigration status or ability to pay.
“This system will allow Cook County Health doctors to perform minimally invasive biopsies of the lung, which will improve precision and safety of these biopsies, and lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes for our patients,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO, Cook County Health.
“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in this country and too often, it’s diagnosed late because it doesn’t cause symptoms until the disease has reached an advanced state,” said Dr. Anne Levenson, pulmonologist and Director of Pulmonary Procedures. “Early detection and early intervention are key to saving lives.”
According to the CDC, from 2017-2021 nearly half of all lung cancers were diagnosed at a distant stage, meaning the cancer had spread from the lungs to distant parts of the body.
The ION Navigational Bronchoscopy features an ultra-thin, maneuverable catheter capable of navigating deeper into lung tissue than traditional lung biopsy methods. This is a significant advancement in technology that allows for more precise biopsies by accessing all lung nodules, facilitating faster diagnoses and treatments.
Many patients undergoing robotic bronchoscopy also receive an additional procedure called Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS), which helps doctors assess whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Combining these procedures reduces the need for multiple surgeries, allows for accurate cancer staging, and leads to more timely treatment and better outcomes.
The ION Navigational Bronchoscopy is the most recent milestone in Cook County Health’s ongoing commitment to providing patients access to the latest medical technologies. In April 2024, Cook County Health launched its robotic-assisted surgery program and in May, a new neurosciences ICU was opened at Stroger Hospital.
“Over the last year, the health system has made incredible strides to elevate and expand the services being offered to patients,” President Preckwinkle said. “These investments are investments in people and technology and will directly help improve and save patient lives.”
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Free COVID and Flu Shots at Cook County Health Sites | |
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Children (6 months and up) and adults can receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines at no cost, regardless of insurance coverage, at walk-in clinics offered by Cook County Department of Public Health, Cook County Health and County Care. The clinics are open on certain Saturdays now through February 22, 2025, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at five different locations in suburban Cook County. A person’s immigration status will not impact the ability to receive immunizations.
Additional details:
- Clinics offer COVID-19 and flu vaccines for children and adults
- Walk-ins welcome, no appointment necessary
- Resource coordination and referrals available
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Bring a form of I.D. and insurance card (Note: insurance is not required)
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For more information: email healthycook@cookcountyhhs.org
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Naloxone Available Free of Charge Through New Vending Machines | |
Cook County Health Hosts Behavioral Health Workforce Symposium | |
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Cook County Health hosted a pivotal Behavioral Health Workforce Symposium on October 1, focusing on the urgent need to address workforce shortages in mental health services across the region. This event gathered more than 300 mental health professionals, community leaders, and elected officials to discuss workforce development challenges and strategies for improvement.
“Now, more than ever, it is critical that we come together to strategize ways to recruit more healthcare providers, and improve our collective delivery model in order to enhance access to care and eliminate the health inequities that have long been allowed to persist in our society,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
The symposium, coordinated by Cook County Health Office of Behavioral Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health, centered around key findings from the newly released Cook County Behavioral Health Workforce Report.
Report findings include:
- The behavioral health workforce serving Cook County needs to increase by 50% to meet current needs.
- Nearly 30,000 more behavioral health professionals will be needed in Cook County by 2028.
- Black workers are underrepresented among higher-paying professions, and are overrepresented among lower-paying professions. Hispanic workers are underrepresented across all professions.
“Collectively, we need to empower individuals to pursue careers in behavioral health and remove barriers that make getting into and staying in the workforce difficult. This is especially important for us to achieve equity in both clinical care and career opportunities,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO, Cook County Health.
Recommended strategies to address the regional workforce shortage outlined in the report include:
- Develop a $50 million regional behavioral health workforce fund to support “earn & learn” and other training opportunities.
- Increase exposure to behavioral health career opportunities starting at the K-12 level.
- Maximize the impact of current workforce by reducing documentation burden, investing in new technology, and integrating with primary care providers.
Click here to view the full report.
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Cook County “Syphilis Stops with Me” Awareness Campaign Seeks to Educate Women of Childbearing Age to Prevent Newborn Syphilis | |
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Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) launched the “Syphilis Stops with Me” campaign this month, to arm women of childbearing age with the knowledge they can protect their unborn babies from congenital (newborn) syphilis by getting regular prenatal care, including testing and treatment for syphilis, a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
“Syphilis during pregnancy can cause tragic outcomes – including stillbirths, miscarriages, premature birth or low birthweight – but the good news is, 90 percent of congenital syphilis cases could be prevented with timely testing and treatment during pregnancy,” said Cook County Department of Public Health Chief Operating Officer Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck.
Congenital syphilis cases are on the rise in suburban Cook County and nationally. In suburban Cook County, congenital syphilis cases almost tripled from four cases in 2020 to 11 cases in 2021. There were 10 cases in 2022. Nationally, there was a ten-fold increase in congenital syphilis cases from 2012 to 2022, when more than 3,700 babies were born with syphilis, according to new CDC data.
To learn more about syphilis, congenital syphilis, prenatal care, testing and treatment, visit the Syphilis Stops with Me website. To view the most recent suburban Cook County syphilis and congenital syphilis data, click here.
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Senator Dick Durbin Joins Cook County Health Leaders to Discuss Lead Poisoning Risks in Chicago | |
Photo: Pictured L-R: Patrick MacRoy, Vice President, Environmental Health and Water Programs at Elevate; Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO, Cook County Health; U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL); Aaron Galeener, Chief Administrative Officer, CountyCare; Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, Chief Operating Officer, Cook County Department of Public Health. | |
Help Shape the Future of Cook County: The ARPA Community Voices Survey has Reopened | |
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The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has been a lifeline for Cook County, funding over 70 vital programs since the pandemic began. However, this federal funding will end in 2026, and we need your input to prioritize the programs that should continue beyond that.
Through October 31, you have the opportunity to make your voice heard. By participating in the ARPA Community Voices Survey, you can help determine which initiatives are most important to you and your community.
Why Your Voice Matters: Your feedback will directly influence how Cook County allocates resources and continues to support the community. As we approach the end of ARPA funding, it's essential to ensure that the programs that matter to you thrive in the years to come. Together, we can build a more equitable, resilient and inclusive Cook County.
Take the Survey Today: Visit arpa.cookcountyil.gov/survey to complete the survey and make a difference in shaping our future.
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Cook County Health in the News | |
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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, please email Marcelino Garcia, Director of Community Affairs, at mgarcia6@cookcountyhhs.org.
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