Excerpts from ChicagoSunTimes.com:
Cheryl Michalek, affectionately known as "Trauma Mama," was a beloved figure in the world of emergency medical training. Her warm yet no-nonsense approach—like a mix of lemon and honey—made her both respected and cherished by those she taught. She dedicated decades to educating first responders, passing on her knowledge to thousands of paramedics, firefighters, and police officers.
She passed away on March 5 at her home in Riverdale after a battle with Parkinson’s disease, according to her husband, Richard, whom she had been married to for 57 years. She was 77. Her funeral was attended by dozens of firefighters and police officers in full dress uniform, including an aerial ladder raised by the Dolton Fire Department and the American flag flying high.
For years, Mrs. Michalek would finish her nursing shift at Little Company of Mary Hospital and then head to EMT classes in the south and southwest suburbs, often still in uniform. Her commitment to training never wavered, even as she balanced family life and personal sacrifices.
"She always reminded us that every patient is someone's loved one—brother, father, daughter, or son. You treat them like family," said Midlothian Fire Chief Stephen M. Hotwagner, who remembered her strong influence on his career.
Teaching wasn't always easy, especially when faced with overconfident trainees. But Cheryl had a way of turning challenges into learning moments. If someone interrupted a lesson with arrogance, she’d challenge them directly: “Do you want to come up here and teach?â€
Dr. Bernie Heilicser, medical director of the South Cook County EMS System, praised her passion and humility. “She trained so many EMTs with heart and dedication,†he said.
Her students included three former Chicago fire commissioners—James Joyce, Ray Orozco Jr., and Robert Hoff—as noted by her son Gary, a firefighter himself.
“Cheryl was a pioneer,†said Dr. Michael O’Mara of Little Company of Mary. “She was among the first nurses to teach EMTs on the South Side.â€
Those who knew her also remember her kindness off the job. Sue Stacey, a dispatch supervisor, recalled how her mother would use pennies from her purse to buy a summer pool pass for the family. “We didn’t take vacations, but we always had Sunday dinner together,†she said.
If students struggled, she invited them to study groups at her home. Her sons, Rick and Scott, both remember the warmth and generosity she showed to others. Rick, now in construction, and Scott, a Metra conductor, are just two of the many who were shaped by her strength and love.
She is survived by her husband, three sons, 13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward her legacy of compassion and service.
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