Dr. Catherine Counard has over 30 years of experience in public health and primary care medicine. She has served as a family physician and in leadership roles at municipal, county, and state health departments. In 2020, Dr. Counard joined the Illinois Department of Public Health as the medical lead for the COVID-19 response in congregate settings including prisons and jails. Her support for colleagues in these facilities continues. Dr. Counard has an M.P.H. from the UIC School of Public Health, an M.D. from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, and is board certified in Public Health and General Preventive Medicine.