When Chicago Med first debuted in 2015, the series introduced fans to a ton of experienced and alluring doctors. Although some of the figures have moved on from Gaffney Medical Center, a sublime selection of characters still remains near and dear to the audience’s heart. As such, though this series thrives on its high-adrenaline storylines, it’s the people who help keep the momentum going.
It’s also evident that these characters help to add a much-needed sense of realism to this hard-hitting medical procedure. While the complex medical cases are enough to keep fans on the edge of their seats, they often need to relate to the characters to get the full scope of the story. But with so many amazing characters to choose from, some fans struggle to name their all-time favorite.
10This Student Often Struggled to Deliver the Correct Diagnosis
Sarah Reese
Though she had all the best intentions, Sarah Reese was often critiqued by her peers for not performing certain procedures with accuracy. For example, Dr. Ethan Choi became increasingly frustrated with her when she was performing CPR on a little girl as she didn’t press hard enough. Not to mention, she often gave a very biased diagnosis, labeling a lot of patients as psychopaths because her father was recently diagnosed as one.
Even though these issues caused Dr. Reese to feel quite bad about herself, all these setbacks only work to make the character more relatable. Audiences were rooting for her and only wanted to see her succeed, especially when she began her residency in Psychiatry with Dr. Charles back in Season 2. Overall, Dr. Reese may not have been the sharpest doctor in the room, but fans often saw themselves in this socially awkward doctor.
9A Charge Nurse Who Stood by Everyone
Maggie Lockwood
As the Emergency Department’s main charge nurse, Maggie Lockwood undoubtedly has a lot of responsibility. As such, she takes her job very seriously and always makes sure that her staff are acting accordingly. Though she may sound quite strict at times, long-time fans of Chicago Med will recognize that Lockwood is a very passionate woman and only wants the best for her peers.
Lockwood also portrayed the Scarecrow in her middle school’s performance of The Wizard of Oz.
Since she is so well-loved by both characters and fans alike, it comes as no surprise that the audience was crushed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in Season 5. Yet, this incredibly brave woman continued to work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and other significant events. Thus, fans quickly fell in love with Nurse Lockwood’s Mother-Hen attitude and her striking sense of courage during dark times.
8This Talented Surgeon Certainly Made Hearts Flutter
Connor Rhodes
Connor Rhodes is a remarkably accomplished surgeon, boasting experience in trauma and cardiology. As such, Rhodes was involved in a ton of interesting storylines, like trying to operate on Dr. Downey’s cancerous liver and teaching Dr. Latham the nuances of social interactions. He also had intimate relationships with a handful of his peers, including Sam Zanetti and Robin Charles.
Dr. Rhodes is fluent in both Spanish and Arabic.
Aside from being a very intelligent piece of eye candy, Dr. Rhodes shocked fans with her alluring past. His father, Cornelius, often made large donations to Gaffney Medical Center in order to secure a place on the medical board and so that he could keep a close eye on his son. Thus, Rhodes proves that Chicago Med only works because it’s the perfect blend of personal issues and professional stressors.
7A Former Police Officer Who Made His Way Into Pediatrics
Dylan Scott
Since Chicago Med is a part of the One Chicago Universe, fans can revel in every aspect of the city’s emergency services. Dylan Scott is an ideal blend of two departments as he’s a former Chicago Police Officer who transitioned into a Pediatric Physician. Though his past and his present can often get conflicted, fans adore the way he treats his younger patients and how he has a keen sense of empathy towards their struggles.
Dr. Scott used to date Carmen Walker, which caused a lot of issues between him and her current husband, Tyrell.
His work experience also makes him an incredibly clever individual, like in Season 7 when he notices that a child’s snake bite is actually part of a gang ritual. Thus, these scenes work to make each case more dynamic and compelling, something that helps this medical drama reach new heights. Thus, even though he only joined the team in 2021, Dylan Scott has quickly grown into one of the audience’s favorite characters.
6A Much-Loved Surgeon Who Made a Critical Mistake
Natalie Manning
Dr. Manning is initially introduced as a widowed mother-to-be who is struggling to balance everything whilst working in the Emergency Department. Throughout her time on the show, she develops a relationship with her co-worker, Will Halstead, something that fans instantly approve of. Yet, in Season 6, she was fired from her job after she was stealing medication to help treat her mother’s failing heart condition.
As a child, she dreamed of becoming a professional violinist.
Though Natalie Manning certainly went through a ton of ups and downs during her time working at Gaffney Medical Center, audiences grew to appreciate her experience, especially when it came to children. She was often the kindest doctor in the room and helped a lot of young patients find answers to their confusing medical problems. Even when she was dismissed, fans could see that Manning was acting out of good intentions, proving that in order to succeed in this industry, the workers must be kind before anything else.
5This Doctor Offered a Sense of Stability Within the Hospital
Will Halstead
Although Chicago Med is filled with significant characters, Will Halstead is often considered to be the protagonist of this show. Dr. Halstead is a very significant part of the show’s lore because he’s been involved in so many intense situations. Not only was he there for the birth of Dr. Manning’s baby, but he was also assigned to work with the CDC when, during one of the show’s best scenes, a mysterious flesh-eating bacterium broke out in Chicago.
During his time in medical school, he met future killer Greg Yates and was instantly concerned about his mannerisms.
Not to mention, he is also the brother of Jay Halstead, giving him prominent links to Chicago PD. Though Halstead is often accused of being a bit selfish and controlling, fans are aware that he only does this because he’s passionate about his line of work. Thus, Will Halstead sits at the halfway point on this list because, although he may not be the most likable character on the show, he still manages to get the job done.
4This Nurse Developed an Unbreakable Bond With Another Key Character
April Sexton
Though April Sexton is a strong and capable professional in her own right, it was her relationship with Ethan Choi that kept fans hooked. Admittedly, April and Ethan didn’t always see eye-to-eye and even broke off their engagement in Season 5. But love kept on bringing the pair back together, and they eventually tied the knot in Season 8.
She is the second character in the One Chicago Universe to have an involuntary abortion. The first was Gabriela Dawson from Chicago Fire .
Her relationship with Dr. Choi aside, April is often praised for her determined and bold attitude. As such, she never turns a blind eye to traumatic events, such as treating a massive influx of COVID-19 patients or looking after a baby who has been forcibly removed from its mother’s stomach. So, April Sexton may not be at the same level as her doctor counterparts, but she never shies away from getting stuck in the action.
3An Emotionally Restrained Doctor With a Tragic Past
Ethan Choi
Despite not knowing what sort of patient is going to walk through the door next, Dr. Ethan Choi is remarkably calm compared to his peers. This is probably because of his military background, which saw him working as a Navy Medic in Baghdad. Yet, in episodes like Season 2, Episode 17, “Monday Mourning,” Choi easily breaks down after the loss of his fellow colleague Jason Wheeler. In turn, these heartbreaking moments work to give this character more depth and prove that he’s more than a cold-hearted doctor.
Alongside being an Attending Physician in the ED, he also volunteers at his local zoo.
Much like the previous character on this list, fans fell in love with Dr. Choi because of his relationship with April Sexton. Though the pair suffered a number of hardships and losses, they always found their way back to each other in the end. Although fans were devastated when he left the hospital in Season 8, they could appreciate that he was starting a new chapter alongside his beautiful new bride.
2A Powerful Woman Who Sits at the Heart of the Hospital
Sharon Goodwin
Though she currently acts as the Executive Director of Patient and Medical Services at Gaffney Medical Center, Sharon Goodwin was once an experienced Charge Nurse. Thus, this woman has what it takes to run this bustling hospital because she has previous experience working in a busy Emergency Department. Because she’s been around the block a few times, Goodwin knows how to keep her workers in line and often has to butt heads with them to convince them to act legally and respectfully.
Sharon Goodwin is a Registered Nurse, a Master of Public Health, and a Critical Care Nurse. She also boasts an MBA in Healthcare Management.
Even though she’s a certified leader, Goodwin has a lot of issues in her personal life. After her husband, Bert, left her in Season 1, she has since rebuked the idea of marriage altogether. This works to make her character three-dimensional and often highlights how she can keep a brave face on at work, but in reality, her personal life is falling apart.
1The Man Who Shows a Different Side to Emergency Care
Daniel Charles
The team at Gaffney Medical Center works tirelessly to fix broken bones and soothe internal traumas. Yet, the fan-favorite character, Dr. Charles, strives to treat those who are struggling mentally. As the only fully-trained Psychiatrist on the show, he is forced to deal with some of the hospital’s most unstable patients.
