After attaining zoology and medical degrees, Dr. Jay Butler’s medical career took an unexpected turn when he discovered the world of public health through the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service. That discovery set him on a path that led to impactful roles with the Alaska Department of Health, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. In every position, Jay sought out the latest crisis and in the spirit of the CDC’s missio...

In the early 1990s, a devastating outbreak of contaminated beef led to kidney damage and death among children, sparking a call to action on food safety. In response, the CDC, USDA, FDA, and several state health departments launched FoodNet in 1995—a surveillance system designed to monitor the incidence and severity of foodborne illnesses across the United States. Dr. Kirk Smith, an epidemiologist, veterinarian, and director of Minnesota’s FoodNet site, he shares his insights from decade...

Dr. Tom Frieden has led public health institutions through some of the most defining moments of our time—from his stewardship of New York City’s Department of Health to his leadership of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In his new book, The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives—Including Your Own, he distills decades of experience into a powerful approach: See·Believe·Create. Dr. Frieden explains how rigorous surveillance and data serve as public health...

For over two decades, Dr. Sara Cody devoted her career to protecting the health of her community as the Public Health Director for Santa Clara County. Her leadership was tested in early 2020, when COVID-19 arrived in her county—one of the first in the United States to detect community spread. As the virus spread rapidly, Dr. Cody faced the daunting task of making life-altering decisions with limited information, uncertainty, and intense scrutiny. Drawing from her formative years as a me...

In the shadow of the HIV epidemic, Drs. Bill Clapp and Jim McAuley faced a growing tuberculosis crisis in the United States as frontline clinicians and public health experts. In this episode, they discuss the science behind TB control, the values that guided their mission-driven work in government health systems, and the faith that sustained their commitment to service. Bill, a pulmonologist, cared for patients in one of Chicago’s impoverished neighborhoods before transitioning to publ...

Public health expert Mike Osterholm discusses outbreak investigations, pandemics, and the risky path the United States is taking on vaccine recommendations and abandoning innovative technology. Mike’s motivation to leave his small town in Iowa to become a disease detective was driven by reading a steady diet of “The Medical Detectives” by Berton Roueche, journalist for the New Yorker. Mike helped solve hamburger-associated thyrotoxicosis, tampon-related epidemic of toxic-shock in 1980, and a ...

Using molecular methods and shoe-leather epidemiology, Don Weiss and Kim Musser teamed up to resolve a Legionnaires’ outbreak in the Bronx in 2015. It’s a classic tale of combining surveillance and field investigations with advanced molecular methods to pinpoint and eradicate the lethal source of infections. Future deaths were prevented when the New York City Department of Health, the New York State Department of Health, and the CDC worked together to realize this public health success ...

Chief Communications Officer, Caryn Stancik, and General Counsel, Elizabeth Reidy, recognized the value of a functional government healthcare system to care for the medically underserved population of Cook County. They devoted their careers to guiding Cook County Hospital through transitions: the Affordable Care Act; an independent health system board; and a series of CEOs. How did they maintain their motivation in a “no frills” work environment? Mission of course—and humor. Epilogue by...

Professor Laura Bix, the Director of the School of Packaging at Michigan State University, is a national leaders in designing solutions for drug packaging that improves medication safety. Two catastrophic events, young children dying of aspirin toxicity during the 1940s and 1950s, and deaths due to intentional contamination of Tylenol with cyanide in the 1980s, prompted Federal agencies, industry, and academic partners to design child-resistant and tamper-evident drug packaging. The slo...

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 career in healthcare. Additional guest information & links to podcast platforms are available at www.inspiredtoheal.net....

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 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and Dr. Henderson was the Associate Director of NIH's Clinical Center. They pioneered the practice of ...

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 near 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 University of Michigan to child-proof future microwave ovens.&nb...

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. Stev...

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. Additional guest information & links to podcast platforms are available at www.inspiredtoheal.net. Please li...

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 Pro...

Medical crises often require time to recuperate in a clean and safe environment—but what happens when someone leaves the hospital with no place to recover? Without access to basic hygiene, secure medication storage, or protection for wounds, recovery can be nearly impossible. In this episode, Christine Haley and Keiki Hinami share how they successfully developed a low-barrier medical respite center during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how that initiative evolved into a more permanent...

With roots across continents and religions, inclusion comes natural to Dr. Benjamin Mba. He shares insights on why inclusion is the requisite factor for meaningful DEI efforts, for 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 C...

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 Uni...

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 penc...

After medical school and training, Doctor Jen Smith knew how to treat the medical complications from harmful use of alcohol and drugs but not how to help people avoid those risks through treatment of their addiction. Through resolute dedication to self-education, listening to patients in the depths of their struggle, and guiding the evolution of Cook County Hospital’s treatment approach, she made a difference. Epilogue provided by Peter Clarke, former colleague, esteemed educator, and p...