Emotional Rollercoaster: Ranking the Most Heart-Wrenching Chicago Med Exits

Many doctors have come and gone from Gaffney Medical Center, but the departure of these Chicago Med characters is still a tough pill to swallow. Fans have grown attached to these individuals, both professionally and personally, making it even harder to bid them farewell when they eventually leave the show.

Over the years, doctors have left Chicago Med for various reasons. While some are eagerly embracing the next phase of their lives, others may not be as willing. These exits from Chicago Med have left a lasting impact on the series, leaving it up to the fans to decide whether these departures are for better or worse.

10 Stevie Hammer

Stevie Hammer, an attending physician in the Gaffney ED, made her debut in season 7 of Chicago Med. She had attended medical school with Will Halstead, and throughout the season, their friendly rivalry hinted at a potential romantic storyline in the future. However, Stevie's time on Chicago Med was limited to just one season, as she ultimately decided to return to Michigan to give her husband another chance.

Dr. Hammer's departure from the show is one of the least dramatic on this list, mainly due to the satisfying nature of her storyline. Not only did Stevie manage to mend her strained relationship with her mother, but her choice to reconcile with her husband was entirely her own. Fans should have been content with how Stevie's life unfolded, considering that she was only given one season to fully develop her character on Chicago Med.

9 Vanessa Taylor

In season 8, Vanessa and Maggie had developed a strong bond. Vanessa had become comfortable in the ED and had complete trust in Maggie. So, it came as a surprise when she made the decision to leave Chicago in episode 6. She received a job offer to assist a medical charity in the Philippines. This news was devastating for Maggie, and fans may still feel a sense of loss for what their relationship could have become. However, this outcome was the best one for Vanessa and perhaps for Maggie's storyline in Chicago Med moving forward.

8 April Sexton

April Sexton, a nurse on the show, was adored by fans despite not being a doctor. Her departure in season 6 came as a shock, leaving viewers with mixed emotions. April had been a part of the main cast since the beginning of Chicago Med and served as Maggie's right-hand in the ED. Her ability to empathize with patients and offer a unique perspective made her beloved. However, she decided to leave Gaffney after being accepted into a Nurse Practitioner program.

In earlier seasons, it was revealed that April had put her own aspirations of becoming a doctor on hold in order to support her younger brother Noah's medical career. While she excelled as a nurse, fans always believed she had the potential and determination to achieve more. Perhaps this is why her departure from Chicago Med didn't sting as much as anticipated. In fact, April even made a guest appearance in season 8, giving her storyline a satisfying conclusion.

7 Ethan Choi

Doctor Ethan Choi, a strict and no-nonsense character, was an original cast member of Chicago Med. In the early seasons, he struggled with accepting his emotions and not allowing his judgments to interfere with his job. However, he eventually grew into a skilled doctor and was even promoted to Chief of the Emergency Department. Throughout his journey, Ethan faced numerous tragedies, including being shot and the loss of his father. Given these experiences, it seemed likely that his departure from the show would be filled with trauma.

Surprisingly, Ethan's departure from Chicago Med turned out to be a happy one. After April's return to Chicago, the two reconciled their relationship and decided to get married. They also fulfilled a shared dream by starting their own mobile clinic. This ending perfectly aligns with the characters of both Ethan and April. Although it was difficult for fans to see him leave as an integral part of the show, knowing that Ethan found happiness with April and is still pursuing his passion for medicine brings a sense of peace.

6 Dylan Scott

Dylan Scott joined Gaffney's ED in season 7, bringing a fresh perspective as a former police officer turned doctor. However, his inability to separate his past from his present ultimately led to his departure. His exit was particularly tragic due to the circumstances surrounding his romantic relationship with Milena, an undercover cop named Jo. In an unfortunate confrontation with Goran Kostovic, Dylan mistakenly shot Jo, resulting in her death. This devastating event greatly influenced Dylan's decision to leave Gaffney, as he couldn't bear to remain in a city where his life had been so disrupted. Despite his short appearance, Dylan's pediatric background and natural charm endeared him to many viewers, making his departure all the more heartbreaking.

5 Will Halstead

Will Halstead's departure from Chicago Med season 8 came as a surprise to many viewers, as there were no clear indications of it beforehand. Given his significant role in the show's eight seasons, it was difficult to imagine the series without him. Even in the season 8 finale, it seemed like Will would be instrumental in rectifying the situation following Jack Dayton's brief ownership. However, when Will took full responsibility for tampering with O.R. 2.0, some fans may have perceived it as a misleading or suspenseful moment.

In the past, Will has left the show only to return to Gaffney later on, but actor Nick Gehlfuss has now confirmed that his time on the show has come to a definitive end. For fans, it's challenging to accept Will's departure, especially considering the current state of Gaffney. However, one silver lining in his exit is his reunion with his former fiancée Natalie Manning, as they finally have the opportunity to live a happy life together.

4 Natalie Manning

Natalie Manning, a beloved character on the show, often faced criticism for her bold choices. While her actions were driven by her passion to save lives, there were moments where she crossed boundaries. Similar to her ex-fiancé Will, it was inevitable that Natalie's departure from Chicago Med would be a result of the consequences of her actions.

In season 6, Natalie's mother experiences heart failure, leading Natalie to steal medication from Will's drug trial in a desperate attempt to save her. As a result, she is fired from Gaffney and decides to move back to Seattle with Owen, seemingly finding peace in her future. Although it wasn't entirely surprising for Natalie to act impulsively, especially when it came to someone she loved, witnessing her spiral and jeopardize the career she had worked so hard for was difficult. Thankfully, she eventually finds her happy ending with a cameo appearance in season 8 of Chicago Med.

3 Sarah Reese

Sarah Reese's future in the ED of Chicago Med seemed uncertain in season 2 when she struggled to secure a job. However, her fortunes changed when Dr. Charles offered her a residency in the Psychiatry department. Under his guidance, Sarah blossomed into a skilled psychiatrist and gained confidence in her abilities. Surprisingly, she developed a genuine passion for psychiatry, despite never having considered it as a career. This newfound passion was largely a result of Dr. Charles' mentorship and the close bond they formed.

The dissolution of their partnership was a heartbreaking moment, especially considering the consequences it had. Not only did Sarah discover that her father was a serial killer, but she also witnessed Dr. Charles almost letting him die from a heart attack. This betrayal shattered her trust and played a significant role in her decision to leave Gaffney. The partnership between Sarah and Dr. Charles was one of the highlights of Chicago Med, and it is painful to know that they have not reconciled since. This remains a painful aspect of Sarah's journey.

2 Connor Rhodes

Connor Rhodes, the charismatic trauma surgeon of Gaffney introduced in season one of Chicago Med, initially portrayed an attitude that clashed with Will's, leading many to believe he was an arrogant presence in the ED. However, he quickly proved himself to be a dedicated surgeon and a loyal friend. Like his colleagues, Connor had a series of unfortunate experiences in the realm of romance. When he embarked on a relationship with fellow surgeon Ava Bekker, fans hoped it would follow the beloved enemies-to-lovers trope.

Sadly, their relationship took a turn for the worse when Connor's father intervened. This interference led Ava to make regrettable choices, act out, and ultimately commit an unforgivable act in Connor's eyes. Witnessing the deaths of both his father and Ava became an overwhelming burden for Connor, pushing him to leave Gaffney and Chicago behind. At this juncture in Chicago Med, Connor had undoubtedly become a beloved character, making his departure at such a high cost incredibly heartrending.

1 Ava Bekker

Ava Bekker's departure from Chicago Med was undeniably the most devastating exit of a main cast member, as it tragically resulted in her death. Initially, Ava and Connor's rivalry evolved into a healthy competition, and eventually blossomed into a romantic connection. However, Ava's love for Connor took a dark turn when she resorted to sleeping with his father in order to secure funding for the Hybrid O.R. Upon discovering this betrayal, Connor ended their relationship, marking the beginning of Dr. Bekker's downfall.

Refusing to let go of Connor, Ava persistently pursued him in increasingly elaborate ways. It became evident that she was losing touch with her own identity, making it difficult to watch her spiral in the following episodes. Ultimately, in season 4, Ava reached her breaking point and committed murder, mistakenly believing that it would salvage their relationship. As the truth unfolded and she found herself on the verge of being caught, Ava tragically took her own life by slicing her neck in front of Connor. Despite the efforts of her former friends and colleagues to revive her, Ava succumbed to her injuries and passed away. To this day, the shocking and haunting death of Ava remains etched in the minds of Chicago Med viewers.