Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 16 recap: Healing wounds and confronting the past

The sixteenth episode of Season 10 of Chicago Med, titled "Poster Child," was released on March 26, 2025, and produced an emotionally gripping story that combined medical dilemmas with personal comeuppance.

The three overriding narratives in this episode of Chicago Med were the awakening of Josephine Azimov from a 22-year coma, the confrontation of Sharon Goodwin with her past, and Dr. John Frost's struggle with a deep-seated horror from his childhood.

Also, the fate of Dr. Mitch Ripley after his suspension was made known. These intertwined storylines dealt with issues of redemption, trauma, and closure.

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Josephine's awakening in Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 16

The episode opened with Angela Azimov bringing her comatose daughter, Josephine, to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. Josephine had been in a coma for over two decades following a car accident that also claimed the life of her father. During her intake, Dr. Lenox noticed subtle movements in Josephine's arm, sparking hope that she might regain consciousness.

As the medical staff looked deeper, they found a brain tumor that had grown while she was in a long coma. The tumor needed to be surgically removed, and it carried great risks. Sharon Goodwin, who had been part of Josephine's original treatment many years before as a nurse, took it upon herself to see this through.

She cooperated with Dr. Abrams and Dr. Lenox to guarantee the success of the surgery. In a stunning twist, Josephine awoke after the surgery, and there was an emotional reunion with her mother.

Angela held on to lingering resentment towards Goodwin for convincing her to go through the original treatment that put Josephine into a coma but eventually forgave her. This closure brought closure to both women after long years.

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Sharon Goodwin confronts her past in Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 16

Sharon Goodwin's involvement in Josephine's case went beyond professional obligation. The incident uncovered that Goodwin was the nurse who had first treated Josephine following her accident 22 years earlier. Angela's identification of Goodwin brought back painful memories for both women.

Throughout the episode, Goodwin spoke about the ethical dilemmas she faced when she was a young nurse and how these decisions had molded her career. Her interactions with Angela underlined the personal costs of a career in medicine and highlighted accountability and empathy in medicine.

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Dr. John Frost's Dark History in Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 16

Dr. John Frost faced his fate when one of his co-stars from his childhood days as an actor, Ainsley Towne, showed up at the hospital. Ainsley had been Frost's on-screen mother on a hit television show but had also engaged in an inappropriate relationship with him as a minor.

The tension between Frost and Ainsley was acutely felt for the entire episode. Maggie Lockwood picked up on their tension and pushed Frost to explain it. He later confessed to their prior relationship but downplayed its influence on him, saying he was "just a typical teenager" then.

This plot explored intricate themes of denial and abuse, leaving the audience with questions rather than answers regarding Frost's character evolution. The subplot was disturbing and divisive but provided richness to Frost's history.

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Dr. Mitch Ripley's redemption in Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 16

Dr. Mitch Ripley's saga continued as he waited to hear whether he was being suspended after losing his temper. Dr. Daniel Charles came to Ripley's defense during this trying moment, urging him to examine his behavior and show improvement.

Goodwin told Ripley that he was being brought back by the hospital board. Appreciative of the second chance, Ripley promised to repay his debt in kind from this point on. This resolution had a turning effect on Ripley's journey, focusing on ideas of redemption and strength.

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Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 16 successfully intertwined medical drama and individual strife to forge a gripping plot. The episode balanced emotional depth and ethical complications, leaving the audience hungry for what's next in this thrilling medical drama series.