💻 From Under the El
Today's stories kind of have a common thread: people stepping outside the expected. We have medical students leaving hospitals to treat patients on the streets, Chicagoans jumping into freezing water to raise money for charity. It reminds you that the City of Broad Shoulders is exactly that. We’re tough and we show up for each other. Let’s get to some good news.
⏰ tl;dr
UIC’s College of Medicine Rockford launches a street medicine program to care for unhoused residents
A Rush medical student donates stem cells to save a stranger’s life, and urges others to register
Polar Plunge Chicago is back! Thousands will brave the lake to support Special Olympics athletes in one of my personal favorite events of spring
🌻 What’s Going Right In Chicago Today
🩺 Future doctors take lifesaving care to the streets
UIC’s College of Medicine Rockford has launched a street medicine program to bring care directly to unhoused and underserved residents.
Instead of waiting for patients to walk into a clinic, medical students and faculty are stepping outside (literally). The College of Medicine Rockford has launched a street medicine initiative that delivers care directly to people experiencing homelessness and others who struggle to access traditional healthcare settings.
This is thanks to a $2.5 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, which will fund training for 34 residents per year in comprehensive street medicine.
Street medicine flips the usual script and meets people where they are, offering compassionate, consistent care that prevents small issues from becoming emergencies.
🍎 4 suburban teachers named Golden Apple Award finalists
Four local educators are among 30 finalists for the prestigious Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching.
Teaching is one of those professions where the real impact pays dividends to our entire community. Great teachers educate kids, sure — but they also teach them confidence, curiosity, and so many other life skills that make cities better places to live. This year, four suburban teachers have been named finalists for the Golden Apple Awards, placing them among 30 standout educators statewide.
The finalists are:
Kristin Anson, 5th grade teacher at Northbrook’s St. Norbert School
Matthew White, orchestra teacher at Naperville’s Scullen Middle School
Megan Fitzsimmons, 8th grade English language arts at Woodridge’s Thomas Jefferson Junior High School
Kristina Lancaster, 4th grade teacher at Ingleside’s Big Hollow Elementary
“Exceptional teachers remind us every day what is possible for students. They create classrooms where curiosity and challenge are encouraged, confidence is built, and learning feels meaningful. These finalists exemplify the dedication, care, and skill that define teaching at its finest. We are proud to recognize the lasting impact they have on their students and school community.”
The Golden Apple Awards recognize teachers who go beyond curriculum and mentor, innovate, and advocate for their students in ways that shape entire communities. Being named a finalist is recognition that the work happening inside local classrooms is extraordinary.
Image credit: Rush University
🏥 Rush medical student donates stem cells to save a stranger
A Chicago medical student donated stem cells to save someone’s life. He’s now encouraging others to register as donors.
While studying medicine, one Rush University student stepped into an entirely different role: donor. After being matched through a registry, Seth Adler donated stem cells to a patient in need, a procedure that can be life-saving for people battling blood cancers and other serious conditions.
It was a great experience to go through this…to see what this side of medicine is like.
Adler is now publicly encouraging others to join the donor registry, emphasizing how straightforward the process can be — and how desperately donors are needed. (Editor’s note: I can personally confirm how easy it is to sign up — I've been registered since 2013! You can do it with an at-home kit and return it by mail. If you’re interested, request one by clicking here)
🗓️ Eye On the Chi
Natural Areas Community Stewardship Day at Clark Park
Spend a few hours helping restore native habitats: removing invasive species, caring for local green space, and getting your hands dirty for a good cause.
When: Feb. 28, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: 3400 N Rockwell St
Polar Plunge Chicago
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Brave souls jump into icy water to raise money for Special Olympics athletes across Illinois. This is one of my favorite events of the year. It’s basically a huge party at the lake — don’t miss it!
When: March 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: North Ave Beach
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Till next time,
Good News, Chicago
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