Cook County ICU: 30 Years of Unforgettable Patients and Odd Cases

Cook County ICU offers an insider's account of one of the nation's most prominent public hospitals, presented through the experiences of Dr. Cory Franklin, who directed its intensive care unit from the 1970s through the 1990s. The book draws on Franklin's thirty-year medical career to present stories of unusual cases and memorable patients. Franklin recounts distinctive experiences including the deadly Chicago heat wave of 1995, treatment of some of the country's first AIDS patients before diagnosis, a nurse with rare Munchausen syndrome, the first surviving ricin victim, and a renowned professor whose Parkinson's disease masked the effects of incorrect medication. The narratives span surprising, darkly humorous, heartwarming, and tragic moments, collectively illustrating how medical practice has evolved over the decades.