Abdullah Pratt: From a Dangerous Neighborhood to a Trauma Center

Abdullah Pratt, an emergency room doctor from the dangerous Calumet Heights neighborhood in Chicago, decided to stay and make a difference in his community. Despite growing up in a violent environment, Pratt was determined to pursue medicine, influenced by his early passion for science. He experienced both success and challenges as an African American in a predominantly white academic setting but remained committed to fighting for his community. Pratt recognized the lack of access to trauma centers on the South Side and spearheaded the campaign to finally establish one. He also took it upon himself to train lay bystanders, including fourth graders, in how to stabilize gunshot wounds, providing them with skills to be first responders in their communities.