Mason out at Cook County Health Department, Provident Hospital to close ER

One of Cook County’s top health officials has been let go, officials confirmed last week.

Friday was the final day for Dr. Terry Mason, Cook County Department of Public Health’s chief operating officer. He had served in the role since 2013.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle told reporters that Mason was fired. She declined to provide additional details, calling it a personnel matter.

Dr. Kiran Joshi and Dr. Rachel Rubin will co-lead the organization, said Cook County Health interim CEO Debra Carey. Both have been senior medical officers at the county department since 2014, as well as members of the medical staff at Stroger Hospital

“I want to personally thank Terry for his years of service to the residents of Cook County,” Carey said in a statement. “He has been a valued member of the executive team and has contributed to our success in recent years.”

Additionally, the health system announced Friday that they will temporarily close the operating room and emergency room at Provident Hospital for “reconfiguring the current flow of patients, increasing space between patients and creating and equipping areas to function as isolation areas” in the wake of the new coronavirus pandemic.

The units are tentatively set to reopen May 6, though officials said they hope it can be sooner.

Patients who present to the hospital during this time with an emergent need will be triaged and either directed to a nearby hospital, Stroger Hospital or seen by a physician at Provident.

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