He’s no stranger to the front lines
Born and raised Chicago South Sider, Neil Ehmig has been working in his dream job as a trauma nurse at Advocate Christ Medical Center since 2016. The U.S. Air Force Reserves Flight Nurse is no stranger to the front lines. When Neil’s hospital unit transformed into a COVID-19 battleground last month, he began picking up extra overnight shifts to help with the fight.
Giving beyond what is asked and going the extra mile has always been a part of who Neil is.
“The running joke is that I always have a lot of jobs,” he says.
Neil comes from a long line of family in medicine, but his childhood dream was to join the armed forces. When he fell in love with nursing and secured his dream job, he decided to also join the U.S. Air Force Reserves in a medical capacity.
The 27-year-old is also the school nurse at his alma mater, St. Rita High School.
While Neil was earning his nursing degree, he volunteered in Christ’s emergency department, so he says he has called the hospital home base for more than seven years now.
Just recently, he – along with his high school sweetheart and now wife, also a team member at Christ – bought a house just a few blocks from the hospital.
“I’m so confident in the teams that have been chosen to care for our COVID-19 patients. We are no strangers to trauma and thinking critically,” he says. “When I walk into work, I feel a sense of pride now more than ever.”
Nurses like Neil are the heroes in this war, and we will forever be grateful for their unwavering commitment.
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About the Author
Kelsey Sopchyk, health enews contributor, is a media relations coordinator at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She earned her BA in journalism and mass communications from the University of Iowa. In her spare time, you can find Kelsey tending to her plant children, trying new sushi restaurants in Chicago and cheering on the Cubs.
A little over a year ago. I had major surgery at Christ. I was on the trauma floor where everyone was wonderful. I was in and out of it most of the time but l will always remember Neil. He was respectful but caring – like I was his “Great Auntie”. He made me feel safe. I think of him often- with the good intentions of sending him a note.
Thank you Neil for your service and I’m glad you are a part of my Advocate Family.
Congrats Neil on living your dream…so great to have you at Christ along with all the great men and women that work so hard in these trying times!
I was 27 when I started at Advocate Health Care in the 1980’s. I had a 32 year career with them. Now Neil begins his life journey as a young man; I wish you all the best, savor every moment young hero because time moves immutably forward and the years go by in an instant.
Great to see a good news article in what is probably one of the toughest times that employees at Advocate have ever encountered. I work in the supply chain and provide materials needed for the floors at night 10 p -7a.One of the first things I do is check 8 -East when I come in.Their job is one of the toughest jobs in the hospital. Even though they go non-stop while on the floor EVERY nurse -tech-etc…. will stop and say hello or ask how I am doing . So a shout out to Neil on his accomplishments and a thank you to all the workers on the floor..Keep giving 110% and I’ll see you back at STIC soon.