Big news for the South Side of Chicago – they now have an adult trauma center again! After years of advocating and protesting by community members, the University of Chicago Medicine finally opened up their trauma center doors on May 1st. Previously, patients in need of emergency medical care were forced to travel long distances to receive treatment. This new trauma center is a major victory for the South Side community.
What is a Trauma Center?
A trauma center is a specialized hospital equipped to provide emergency medical services to patients who have suffered severe injuries or illnesses. These types of facilities are crucial in saving lives, as they offer the highest level of care possible for patients in critical condition.
Before the opening of this new trauma center, there were only two adult-level trauma centers located on the South Side – Stroger Hospital and Advocate Christ Medical Center. Unfortunately, these hospitals are often overcrowded and unable to handle the high volume of patients in need of emergency care. This resulted in many patients being transferred to hospitals downtown, which could take up to an hour or more during heavy traffic.
The opening of the University of Chicago Medicine Trauma Center means that patients will now have access to care closer to home. This will not only save lives in emergency situations, but also ease the burden on other hospitals in the area.
Why Did the Community Fight for a Trauma Center?
The fight for a trauma center on the South Side has been going on for years. Community members have long argued that it is unfair for residents to have to travel so far for emergency medical care. The situation became a flashpoint in 2010, when a young man named Damian Turner was shot and died after being transported to a hospital downtown.
Protesters and activists rallied behind the cause, demanding that the University of Chicago Medicine open a new trauma center. They argued that the decision not to open a center on the South Side was a form of institutional racism, as the majority of residents in the area are people of color. Despite years of protests and demonstrations, the university stood firm on their decision until 2018.
Now, with the new trauma center finally open, the community is celebrating a major victory. As survivor and activist Kofi Ademola tweeted, “there are many ways to measure victory, but proximity to healthcare during emergencies is one none of us should lack.”
What Does This Mean for the Future?
The opening of the University of Chicago Medicine Trauma Center is a huge step forward for the South Side community. Not only does it mean that residents will have access to life-saving emergency care, but it is also a symbol of the community’s ability to come together and demand change.
However, there is still work to be done. As the Chicago Tribune reports, “Many other health care gaps remain on the South Side, where many neighborhoods are virtual medical deserts with few hospitals and clinics.” The South Side still experiences high rates of violence and trauma, and there is a need for more resources to address the root causes of these issues.
But for now, residents and activists are celebrating this major victory. As one protester put it, “If they can build a trauma center in the middle of the richest county in the state, then it’s possible to have affordable housing, better schools, and health care on the South Side – it’s just a matter of fighting for it.”
| Pro | Con |
|---|---|
| Increased access to life-saving emergency medical care for South Side residents | The opening of one trauma center does not fix all of the healthcare disparities present on the South Side |
| Symbolizes the power of community organizing and activism | The University of Chicago Medicine took years to respond to community demands |
| Relieves pressure on other overloaded hospitals in the area | The trauma center may not be financially sustainable in the long-term |
Overall, the opening of this new trauma center is a major win for the South Side community. It not only provides critical emergency medical care to those in need, but also represents the power of community action when people come together and demand change. There is still a long way to go, but this victory shows that progress is possible.
