ICU Doc Finishing Her Residency During Pandemic: Chicago Heroes

CHICAGO — Fred Rogers told a story on his children's show Mr. Roger's Neighborhood about being scared as a child when he saw something upsetting on the news. "My mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping,'" he told his audience. Though we're now living through an unprecedented health crisis, at Patch, we want to help you look for the helpers in your own community, so we've launched an initiative to recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Samar Shelby, who nominated her sister, Laila Younes, a doctor going into the third year of her residency.

"As if residency wasn't scary and stressful enough, she is working in the ICU during this pandemic and treating COVID patients," Shelby wrote. "She can't come home to visit as our father is considered high risk. It is a very isolating time for her."

"[Laila] has always wanted to be a doctor since she was a little girl and won't let this pandemic interfere with her finishing her residency," her sister continued.

Do you have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.

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