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Remembering Commissioner Dennis Deer
Cook County Health is mourning the loss of Commissioner Dennis Deer, Vice Chair of the CCH Board of Directors, who passed away on Sunday, June 23.
“Cook County has lost a health care champion with the passing of Commissioner Dennis Deer. As Vice Chair of the Cook County Health Board of Directors, Commissioner Deer provided steadfast leadership to our health system, with an exceptional focus on health equity. He was passionate about advancing the well-being of Cook County residents and demonstrated his commitment with both his words and actions. Commissioner Deer’s life’s work will serve as a source of inspiration for us as we carry on his legacy. My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time."
- Dr. Erik Mikaitis, Interim CEO
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Dear Cook County Health friends and partners,
Every June, Cook County Health honors the bravery and resilience of those who have fought for LGBTQ+ rights. At a time when we are seeing LGBTQ+ health care access being challenged across the country, Cook County Health is proud to be an ally to those who need us, while we work to ensure that everyone can receive the care they deserve.
This month, our staff will be participating in a variety of internal and external Pride events. Cook County Health’s HIV Integrated Programs (CCHIP) is also partnering with Walgreens for National HIV Testing Day on Thursday, June 27. CCHIP staff will be conducting HIV testing and counseling at select Walgreens locations:
· 4835 S. Archer Ave., Chicago
· 5222 W. Madison St., Chicago
· 12854 S. Ashland Ave., Calumet Park, IL
· 10639 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn, IL
· 5600 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago
· 1546 N. Central Ave., Chicago
· 11 E. 75th St. Chicago
Cook County Health is also honored to once again march in the City of Chicago’s Pride Parade on Sunday, June 30. Be on the lookout for our float and celebrate with us!
We are thrilled to have so many opportunities to showcase CCH’s pride in serving the LGTBQ+ community. This month is a time of reflection, solidarity, and joy as we acknowledge the LGBTQ+ community and reaffirm our system’s commitment to inclusivity, compassion, and equality.
Together let’s keep working toward acceptance, equity, and love.
Sincerely,
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Dr. Erik Mikaitis
Interim CEO, Cook County Health
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HBIA/S Redetermination Deadline Extended | |
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All Medicaid members and Illinois’s Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults/Seniors (HBIA/S) members must go through redetermination each year to renew their health coverage.
The State of Illinois recently announced an extended deadline for HIBA/S redetermination! All HBIA/S members must submit the necessary paperwork before July 15, 2024, or they may lose coverage effective August 1, 2024.
It is critical that we raise awareness about this upcoming deadline to ensure all eligible members successfully complete their redetermination paperwork and keep their health coverage.
HIBA/HBIS 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. For in-person support in completing redetermination paperwork, members can go to countycare.com/redetermination/ to join an upcoming event.
All information provided during redetermination is used solely for program operation and will NOT be shared for immigration enforcement purposes.
We know that health insurance is vital to a person’s health. Insured individuals have a lower rate of mortality, fewer serious illnesses, improved health outcomes and better overall well-being.
With coverage through HBIA/S, individuals can more easily access preventive health services, treatment for chronic or acute illnesses, and medications. They don’t have to make difficult decisions about paying out of pocket for health care or paying for other essentials like food or housing.
In fact, Cook County Health’s CountyCare health plan is the only plan that provides free health coverage with no co-pays to HBIA/S members.
Please help us spread the word about HBIA/S redetermination to ensure that our family, friends, and neighbors across Cook County can keep their health coverage and continue to lead their healthiest lives.
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Cook County Health Awards $44M in Behavioral Health Grants | |
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On June 10, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and County Commissioners joined Cook County Health leaders in announcing the award of over $44 million in grants to 53 organizations as part of the health system’s Stronger Together: Building a More Equitable Behavioral Health System in Cook County Initiative.
“This initiative highlights how government and other sectors of our community can work together to benefit the greater good and the health of our residents,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “This is a historic opportunity to make meaningful change in Cook County for generations.”
The Stronger Together Initiative aims to address behavioral health inequities across the region’s system of care through increased systems alignment, enhanced system quality, and the expansion of access to early intervention and prevention, treatment, support, recovery, and crisis assessment and care.
The focus areas of the Stronger Together Initiative were developed based on the feedback gathered during the Cook County Behavioral Health Summit, which brought together more than 800 stakeholders representing 300 public and private sector organizations.
The call for grant proposals opened in March 2024. More than 300 organizations applied for grants of up to $1M. The grant period is 27 months.
“I am grateful to President Preckwinkle, and the Cook County Board of Commissioners for entrusting us as stewards of these funds to help address the broad behavioral health needs we see across Cook County,” said Cook County Health Interim CEO Dr. Erik Mikaitis. “The community-focused institutions awarded today will make a significant impact in expanding access to comprehensive, culturally appropriate behavioral health prevention, treatment, and recovery services. As a leader and convener in this space, Cook County Health knows that we are truly stronger together.”
To learn more about the program and see the full list of grantees, visit: https://cookcountyhealth.org/press_releases/cook-county-health-awards-44m-in-behavioral-health-grants/
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Cook County Health Now Offering Virtual Immediate Care | |
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Cook County Health is proud to now offer virtual immediate care visits! Patients can connect with an immediate care provider virtually from 11:00am-7:00pm, Monday through Friday to treat basic but pressing health conditions.
This service is available for adults and children of all ages. Interpreters are available for patients who speak Spanish, Polish, Mandarin, Russian, Arabic, Hindi and other languages.
Click here to learn more!
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June Social Media Discussion: Fire and Burn Safety | |
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Join us on Thursday, June 27 at 11 am for a live discussion on our social media channels discussing fire and burn safety.
As summer barbecue season heats up, people light off fireworks or spend too much time in the sun, learn from Cook County Health experts about what you need to know about burn safety, how to treat minor injuries at home and when to seek out medical attention.
The discussion will be streamed on all of our social media channels and the talk is interactive. Have a question you’ve always wanted to ask the Burn & Trauma team? Send us a message on our social media pages.
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
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Cook County Health Awarded $200,000 Grant to Support Innovative Gun Violence Research | |
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On June 7, Cook County Health announced the health system was awarded a $200,000, 2-year grant by the Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education to research the impact of gun violence on women.
CCH is one of 10 recipients awarded in 2024, out of a field of more than 260 applicants.
Over the two years of the grant, the team will conduct a research study about the impact of gun violence on women using a Participatory Action Research Approach (PAR). The PAR model emphasizes a collaborative process, political action and leadership by members of communities affected by the research.
“Much of the current gun violence research that is focused on women is centered on intimate partner violence,” said Rev. Carol Reese, Director of the Division of Trauma Recovery, Intervention and Prevention, Cook County Health. “But women are significantly impacted by other forms of gun violence, whether they are the victim or are caring for a survivor. Too often women are left out of medical research, and, through this project, we will ensure that women’s voices and experiences are heard loud and clear.”
Cook County Health’s proposed project will focus on African American and Latina women who have been disproportionately harmed and impacted by violence; help to shift the narrative about female survivorship by placing African American and Latina women at the center of their own research; and generate new ideas for effective violence prevention in Chicago and throughout the U.S.
The research is being conducted through Healing Hurt People-Chicago, a hospital-based violence intervention program at Stroger Hospital that helps people heal emotionally and physically from injuries by community violence through assessment, psychoeducation, practical support, as well as individual and group therapeutic work.
To learn more, visit: https://cookcountyhealth.org/press_releases/cook-county-health-awarded-200000-grant-to-support-innovative-gun-violence-research/.
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Cook County Health's Podcast, Total Health Talks, is Live | |
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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.
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Cook County Health in the News | |
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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 first events were held this month. Check our social media pages for future dates. If you would like to host a walk with a CCH physician, please contact Marcelino Garcia at mgarcia6@cookcountyhhs.org.
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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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