From the "routine" chaos of a Friday night to the stress of resuscitating a dying patient in the original "ER" at Cook County Hospital, he liked having his brain activated by the rapid pace and his hand on the pulse of the city. Epilogue by Steven Aks.
Latest Episode: Running Toward Chaos with Dr. Jeff Schaider
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Episode 1: Creating a Palliative Care Program with Dr. Cathy Deamant
Hear about Cathy's successful mission to create a palliative care program for Chicago's government-run safety net health system.
Pottery by Cathy Deamant
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Folding chair carried by Cathy for family conferences.
For Cook County Hospital, Brian started and studied several enduring programs for inpatients, including bedside ultrasound & a short-stay unit. Epilogue by Stefan Tchernodrinski.
Episode 2, Academics Advance Medicine with Dr. Brian Lucas, Inaugural Chair of Hospital Medicine
Satisfied (happy?) Lucas farm piglets
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David reflects on his career providing patient care and preventive medicine at Cook County Hospital and the Indian Health Service. Epilogue by Jen Smith.
Episode 3: Chicago to Chinle: A Journey from Urban to Tribal Health Justice with Dr. David Goldberg
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Chris led Cook County health system's Internal Medicine training program, guiding residents into prestigious post-graduate fellowship positions all while playing drums with resident-run rock bands. Epilogue by Paula Eryazici.
Episode 4: Beats and Balance: The Rhythm of Effective Leadership with Dr. Christine Acob
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Jack describes his transformative experience as a high-school volunteer & medical student at Cook County Hospital, his medical school gap year at hospitals in Mexico & Guatemala, and the ethical dilemma of physicians going on strike. Epilogue by Ken Brucks.
Episode 5: Cook County Jail: Patients, Public Health, & Prevention (Part 1) with Dr. Jack Raba
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Episode 6: Healthcare Behind Bars at Cook County Jail (Part 2) with Dr. Jack Raba
Jack is recruited back to Cook County Hospital as medical director for Cook County Jail. He transforms healthcare, champions public health initiatives, & courageously confronts violence within the jail and pre-arrival by Chicago Police. Epilogue by Jane Leonardson & Connie Mennella.
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With cutbacks to Medicaid looming, safety net health systems are vital. David explores County's history—challenges & progress. As a young doctor, he grappled with the frustrations of witnessing sometimes indifferent medical care. Over time, healthcare improved under strong leadership and reduced political interference. Join us for stories of clinical care & our nation’s first blood “bank”. Epilogue by Scott Fridkin.
Episode 7: County Hospital's Past & Present: A Candid Conversation with Dr. David Schwartz
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When many were reluctant to provide care for people with AIDS, staff at Cook County Hospital rose to the challenge. Mildred & Toyin share the perspectives of a social worker & physician on compassionate patient-centered care. Epilogue by John Peller.
Episode 8: Women Healing Women with HIV/AIDS with Drs. Mildred Williamson & Toyin Falusi-Nwafor
Toyin Falusi Nwafor
Mildred Williamson
Image adapted from Google Maps, Preservation Chicago's website
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During medical school and residency, Jen learned how to treat medical complications from harmful use of alcohol and drugs but not how to treat the upstream behaviors. Through self-education, listening to patients in the depths of their struggle, and shaping the evolution of Cook County Hospital’s treatment approach, she made a difference. Epilogue by Peter Clarke.
Episode 9: Treating Addiction: Compassion meets Courage with Dr. Jen Smith
Watercolors by Jen
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Mary repurposed skills acquired during community organizing for peace & civil rights to Cook County Hospital & Illinois' Department of Public Health. She built bridges between communities and public health systems. Epilogue by Dr. Ellen Mason, who, in the words of John Lewis, recognized Mary’s penchant for “Good Trouble”.
Episode 10: Healing Connections: The Organizer who Wove Community into Healthcare with Mary Driscoll
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Effortless?? No! Ben shares insights he learned through decades of teaching trainees. Now at Yale School of Medicine, Ben reflects fondly on his career at Cook County Hospital. Epilogue by Dr. Sanjay Saint, author of “Teaching Inpatient Medicine: What Every Physician Needs to Know”.
Episode 11: Teaching Thinking: A Master Educator's Methods with Dr. Benjamin Mba (Part 1)
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Ben, is Vice Chair of Medicine—Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Yale School of Medicine. His family is rooted in diversity, which formed a physician-educator who approached healing and mentorship with tolerance & kindness. Ben allays fears about adopting inclusion principles in an organization and the challenges with helping his parents navigate their illnesses. Epilogue by former chief resident, Farah Ciftci.
Episode 12: Deep Roots of Inclusion & Caring for Family with Dr. Benjamin Mba (Part 2)
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Medical crises require recuperation in a clean, safe environment—what happens when someone has no place to recover? On the streets, recovery can be nearly impossible. In this episode, Christine & Keiki share how they developed a medical respite center during COVID-19, & how it endured. Epilogue provided by Ed Stellon of the Illinois Public Health Institute.
Episode 13: Healing when Unhoused: Creating a Medical Respite Center with Christine Haley & Keiki Hinami
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Former Chair of Medicine at Cook County Hospital, Bob's career was formed as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer investigating hospital outbreaks for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. With characteristic humor, he shares his wisdom about on life and leadership. Epilogue by Denise Cardo, former Director, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at CDC.
Episode 14: Leadership with Laughter: The Triple Threat Doctor, with Dr. Bob Weinstein
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Renowned clinicians and educators guiding Cook County's transition to using evidence-based medicine. They share their wisdom on patient care, teaching, and their evolution as healers.
Episode 15: Legacies in Medicine: Marcus Welby to Smartphones with Drs. Peter Clarke & Chris Smith
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From the "routine" chaos of a Friday night to the stress of resuscitating a dying patient in the original "ER" at Cook County Hospital, he liked having his brain activated by the rapid pace and his hand on the pulse of the city. Epilogue by Steven Aks.
Episode 16: Running Toward Chaos: Emergency Medicine, with Dr. Jeff Schaider
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