INSPIRED TO HEAL

Author: William Trick

  • Leadership With Laughter: The Triple Threat Doctor

    Leadership With Laughter: The Triple Threat Doctor

    Dr. Robert (Bob) A. Weinstein, former Chair of Medicine at Cook County Hospital, describes a career formed early as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer investigating hospital outbreaks at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.  A single investigation led to decades of research & inquiry, and international leadership. With characteristic humor, he provides advice on life and leadership. Epilogue by Denise Cardo, former Director of the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at CDC. 

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  • Essential Items for Your Medical Bag

    Essential Items for Your Medical Bag

    When asked, “What is the one item, literal or figurative, that you would put in your medical bag?”, seventeen former Cook County Hospital healthcare workers provided responses that sustained them during challenging but fulfilling, mission-oriented careers. Collectively, they distill hundreds of years of patient care into advice that is critical to pack with you during a healthcare career.

    Laryngoscopy: From Head Mirrors to Fiberoptics

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  • Running Toward Chaos: Emergency Medicine

    Running Toward Chaos: Emergency Medicine

    Dr. Jeff Schaider thrived in his career as an emergency medicine physician in Cook County Hospital’s storied Emergency Department.  From the “routine” chaos of a Friday night in the ER to the stress of resuscitating a dying patient, he enjoyed having his brain activated by the rapid pace of medical care and his hand on the pulse of the city.  Jeff reflects on his career, the patients, the hospital, and Hollywood’s adaptation of the original “ER”. Epilogue provided by Dr. Steve Aks, toxicologist and emergency department colleague.

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  • Making Healthcare Safe for Patients and Staff

    Dr. Denise Cardo and David Henderson are infectious diseases physicians and leaders in healthcare epidemiology—the medical discipline that studies the causes and solutions to prevent infections, use antibiotics wisely, and prevent the spread of “superbugs” in healthcare settings. Dr. Cardo led the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and Dr. Henderson was the Associate Director of the NIH’s Clinical Center.  They pioneered the practice of providing post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection among healthcare workers exposed to blood through puncture wounds. Their research and collaboration saved the lives of countless healthcare workers. Epilogue by Dr. Julie Gerberding, who worked with Drs. Henderson and Cardo on post-exposure prophylaxis for healthcare workers.

    Dr. Denise Cardo and David Henderson are infectious diseases physicians and leaders in healthcare epidemiology—the medical discipline that studies the causes and solutions to prevent infections, use antibiotics wisely, and prevent the spread of “superbugs” in healthcare settings. Dr. Cardo led the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and Dr. Henderson was the Associate Director of the NIH’s Clinical Center.  They pioneered the practice of providing post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection among healthcare workers exposed to blood through puncture wounds. Their research and collaboration saved the lives of countless healthcare workers. Epilogue by Dr. Julie Gerberding, who worked with Drs. Henderson and Cardo on post-exposure prophylaxis for healthcare workers.

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  • Burn Unit to Microwave Safety

    Pediatrician Kyran Quinlan and occupational therapist Marla Robinson witnessed severe scald burns among young children in their hospital’s burn unit. They embarked on an epidemiologic evaluation that turned into a nearly two-decades odyssey to improve microwave safety.  They partnered with Underwriters Laboratory, the Consumer Products Safety Commission, impacted families, engineering and design students from Northwestern and the University of Michigan to child-proof future microwave ovens. They describe the challenges and the thrill of eventually seeing safer ovens on store shelves.  Epilogue provided by Joe Musso, former Standards Program Manager at Underwriters Laboratory, who was responsible for microwave standards.
    Will Consumer Safety Survive Partisan Pandering?

    Pediatrician Kyran Quinlan and occupational therapist Marla Robinson witnessed severe scald burns among young children in their hospital’s burn unit. They embarked on an epidemiologic evaluation that turned into a nearly two-decades odyssey to improve microwave safety.  They partnered with Underwriters Laboratory, the Consumer Products Safety Commission, impacted families, engineering and design students from Northwestern and the University of Michigan to child-proof future microwave ovens. They describe the challenges and the thrill of eventually seeing safer ovens on store shelves.  Epilogue provided by Joe Musso, former Standards Program Manager at Underwriters Laboratory, who was responsible for microwave standards.
    Will Consumer Safety Survive Partisan Pandering?

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  • Legacies in Medicine: Marcus Welby to Smartphones

    Legendary leaders of Cook County Hospital’s internal medicine program for trainees and medical students, and expert clinicians, Peter Clarke and Chris Smith, share their wisdom.  They discuss caring for patients, educating the next generation of physicians, and their evolution as healers.  Epilogue by former internal medicine training program director, Dr. Christine Acob.

    Legendary leaders of Cook County Hospital’s internal medicine program for trainees and medical students, and expert clinicians, Peter Clarke and Chris Smith, share their wisdom.  They discuss caring for patients, educating the next generation of physicians, and their evolution as healers.  Epilogue by former internal medicine training program director, Dr. Christine Acob.

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  • Deep Roots of Inclusion & Caring for Family

    Deep Roots of Inclusion & Caring for Family

    With roots across continents and religions, inclusion comes naturally to Dr. Benjamin Mba. He shares insights on why inclusion is the requisite factor for meaningful DEI efforts, for the success of organizations beyond healthcare.  Ben explores the challenges faced by healthcare workers when guiding families through illness and the healing role of kindness. With so many options, Ben reveals his preferred destination for a family reunion.  Epilogue provided by former Cook County Hospital Chief Resident Farah Ciftci.

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  • Teaching Thinking: A Master Educator’s Methods

    Teaching Thinking: A Master Educator’s Methods

    Dr. Benjamin Mba is a nationally renowned clinical educator of internal medicine trainees and medical students.  Effortless?? No!  Ben shares insights he learned observing mentors and through decades of honing the craft, teaching medical trainees during rounds and morning reports, presentations, and discussions of challenging diagnostic cases.  Now at Yale School of Medicine, Ben reflects fondly on his career at Cook County Hospital. Epilogue by Dr. Sanjay Saint, Professor at the University of Michigan Medical School and author of “Teaching Inpatient Medicine: What Every Physician Needs to Know”.   Sanjay observed Ben as part of a nationwide evaluation of exemplary teachers.

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  • Healing Connections: The Organizer who Wove Community into Healthcare

    Healing Connections: The Organizer who Wove Community into Healthcare

    We hear the inspiring story of Mary Driscoll, who repurposed the skills she acquired during community organizing for peace and civil rights to Cook County Hospital and the Illinois Department of Public Health.  Through tireless advocacy and relationship-building, she built bridges between neighborhoods and public health systems—recognizing that sustainable healing begins with community connections.  Epilogue by Dr. Ellen Mason, who, in the words of John Lewis, recognized Mary’s penchant for “Good Trouble”.

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  • Treating Addiction: Compassion meets Courage

    Treating Addiction: Compassion meets Courage

    When Dr. Jen Smith finished her medical residency, she knew exactly how to treat the severe physical complications of alcoholism and drug abuse. What she didn’t know was how to help her patients actually overcome substance use disorders. In this episode, we follow Dr. Smith’s resolute journey of self-education, radical listening, and medical advocacy. By listening to her patients’ in the depths of their struggles, she fundamentally transformed Cook County Hospital’s approach to addiction medicine and harm reduction. Epilogue provided by Peter Clarke, former colleague, esteemed educator, and legendary primary care physician at Cook County Hospital.

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