Dr. Michael Bednarz earned a medical degree from the Wayne State University School of Medicine. He completed a dual residency in internal medicine and psychiatry at Rush University in Chicago. He served as medical director for the Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility for eight years, where he developed Illinois’ chemical castration program. He later served as forensic medical director for the state of Illinois for four years, overseeing six forensic hospitals and the conditional release program for individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity and unfit to stand trial. He currently serves as chief of psychiatry for the Cook County Jail, where he oversees mental health services for approximately 2,500 detainees, including five inpatient psychiatric units and a residential treatment unit.