The John H. Stroger, Jr Hospital of Cook County serves the area’s most needy patients. Its charter requires that no patient in Cook County be turned away. The patient population reflects the growing diversity of the Chicago metropolitan area: many are non-English speaking and most live below the poverty line.

Our chaplains at Stroger minister to a group of women going through especially difficult times. For instance:

• Women with gynecological cancers are seen by our BAH chaplains. Not only are these women suffering with a terrible illness, but one that affects the essence of who they are as women. In this time of deep despair, our chaplains are a presence of hope and compassion for them.
  
• Women who are incarcerated in the Cook County Department of Corrections who need Ob/Gyn services are brought to Stroger Hospital. After giving birth, these mothers have only a short time with their newborns before they are placed with relatives or foster care.
  
• Women in this patient population are poor with few resources, and many do not receive adequate pre-natal care and, all too often, suffer fetal demise.

This ministry carries on the work once carried out by the Episcopal Deaconesses in the early 20th century.