2023-25 Cook County Department of Public Health Strategic Plan Presented to Cook County Health Board

Cook County Health (CCH) Board of Directors Meeting
April 28, 2023     

CEO Rocha, Chief Operating Officer, Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck and staff presented the Cook County Department of Public Health’s (CCDPH) product from a collaborative and participatory strategic planning effort begun in 2022.  The resulting 2023-2025 strategic plan for CCDPH, “Putting the Public in Public Health,” defines CCDPH’s vision, mission, and values.    Based on feedback from across a variety of assessments and many facilitated planning sessions and conversations with staff, community partners, and the Strategic Planning Advisory Group, CCDPH identified five strategic pillars where CCDPH must focus its attention to be successful at advancing its vision and mission over the next three years.  The foundational pillars are:

• Pillar 1:  Strategic Communications.
• Pillar 2:  Community Partnerships and Collaboration.
• Pillar 3:  Workforce and Workplace 
• Pillar 4:  Infrastructure and Operations.
• Pillar 5:  Integration and Systems Alignment.

In brief, Putting the Public in Public Health is the guide that CCDPH has chosen for transformation during 2023-2025.  The strategy within the plan is dynamic and intended to evolve over time.  Metrics that matter will be developed for all major services, programs and initiatives including the strategic plan.  The plan will also serve as a blueprint for accountability as it strives to optimize community health and advance health equity for the residents of suburban Cook County.  A letter from Cook County President, Toni Preckwinkle praising the plan was included stating that “The Covid-19 pandemic illuminated not only the importance of having a strong public health system and infrastructure in times of crisis, but also the ongoing need for investment in proactive approaches to promoting community health and wellbeing.”    

CEO Rocha noted that effective Monday, May 15th masks will be strongly recommended but optional for many patients, visitors and staff.  Masks will remain a requirement for staff providing direct patient care, entering an occupied patient room or in high-risk areas.  Tests and vaccines for COVID will continue to be available at primary care medical homes.

The Community Murals Project unveiled three new murals at Provident Hospital, Blue Island Health Center and the Professional Building on central campus.  Paint parties were held where patients, staff and visitors came together to paint sections of the murals.

Committee Reports:
Human Resources –

• Remains up to 95 days to fill positions but trending down.  Maintaining 4% turnover compared to nationwide average in double digits.   Still catching up from COVID losses.  
• A letter sent by and read into the record by Mr. Lenny D. Asaro, attorney at Faegre, Drinker, Biddle & Reath, LLP seeking “. . . clarification regarding Cook County Health and Hospitals System’s policy in reference to offshoring jobs to India.”  Mr. Asaro referenced RFP #H21-0026, Addendum No.1. requesting 250 full-time equivalents to support the end-to-end revenue cycle. Mr. Asora claimed the RFP was service-based v. technology and does not require technical support for any type of technology.

Finance –

• Eight contracts exceeded $1M including for Nurse Registry services ($70M); two contracts for recruitment (totaling $8.6M); and two contracts for computer software and hardware (totaling $12.9M)

What to Watch for in the Future:

• Although it was indicated that great efforts were being made to reach out to Medicaid patients in their communities and in the health centers to encourage cooperation with renewal, it may still have an impact on enrollment.

Observer - Peg Moster