SWA100 Anatase Titanium Dioxide Wuxi Qijun New Material Co., LTD , https://www.tio2supplier.com
Excerpts from ChicagoSunTimes.com:
Cheryl Michalek, affectionately known as "Trauma Mama," was a unique blend of strength and warmth—like lemon and honey. Her teaching style, filled with both sharp insight and maternal care, left an indelible mark on the emergency medical field. For decades, she trained thousands of first responders, many of whom became mentors themselves, passing on her lessons to even more paramedics, firefighters, and police officers.
Mrs. Michalek passed away on March 5 at her home in Riverdale after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was 77 years old and had been married to her husband, Richard, for 57 years. Her funeral was attended by hundreds of firefighters and police officers, all in full dress uniform. The Dolton Fire Department even raised an aerial ladder and flew the American flag in her honor.
For many 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 dedication to education never wavered, even when it meant working late into the night.
Midlothian Fire Chief Stephen M. Hotwagner remembered her words: “She always emphasized that when you’re treating a patient, you should treat them like family. They’re someone’s brother, father, daughter, or son. You give them the same respect and care you’d expect for your own.â€
Teaching in front of experienced and sometimes overconfident firefighters and officers wasn’t always easy, but Cheryl had a way of handling it. If someone interrupted a lesson, she’d challenge them directly. “Do you wanna get up here and *you* teach?†she might ask, turning the tables and ensuring they learned from their mistakes.
Dr. Bernie Heilicser, medical director of the South Cook County EMS System, praised her passion and humility. “She taught so many EMTs with genuine care and dedication,†he said.
Her influence reached high places. According to her son Gary, a Chicago firefighter, some of the people who benefited from her training included three Chicago fire commissioners: James Joyce, Ray Orozco Jr., and Robert Hoff.
Dr. Michael O’Mara, chair of emergency medicine at Little Company of Mary, called her a pioneer. “She was one of the first nurses on the South Side to teach EMTs,†he said.
Beyond her professional legacy, Cheryl was also a devoted mother. Sue Stacey, a dispatch supervisor, recalled how her mother would go out of her way to help. “I remember my mom pulling out pennies from her purse to buy a pool pass for the summer. We didn’t take vacations, but we always had Sunday dinner together.â€
Rick, another son who went into construction, shared that if students struggled, she would invite them over for study sessions. She believed in community and support.
Cheryl is survived by her husband, Richard; three sons—Gary, Rick, and Scott, a Metra conductor; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Her life was a testament to service, compassion, and the power of education.