Nick Martinez

Reporter · Chicago, IL

Nick Martinez is a public health reporter who earned his Master’s in Public Health from the University of Chicago. Having previously worked with ProPublica, he focuses on health equity issues affecting the Chicago community.

7 stories from Nick Martinez in Arlington Heights

Pope Leo XIV, a spiritual leader, facing lung cancer diagnosis, symbolizing human vulnerability and resilience.

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Top Vatican official says Pope Leo's cancer is a ‘game-changer' for the papacy

Pope Leo XIV’s recent lung cancer diagnosis has shifted perceptions of his papacy, reminding the faithful that even the highest leaders face mortal challenges. As he prepares for a significant trip to Latin America, the implications of his illness resonate far beyond the Vatican, touching hearts...

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Ten women standing united on a university campus, symbolizing their legal battle for justice against institutional mishandling of sexual assault reports.

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Loyola University seeks dismissal of sexual assault lawsuit filed by 10 women

Ten women stand united in a legal battle against Loyola University, claiming that their cries for help were met with indifference. Their stories of trauma and resilience echo the urgent need for accountability in campus safety, painting a stark picture of the challenges many young adults face in...

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Tiny NICU baby dressed as a farm animal in an incubator at Loyola University Medical Center.

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Halloween costumes bring farmyard fun to Loyola University Medical Center NICU babies

In a heartwarming display of creativity and profound care, nurses at Loyola University Medical Center transformed their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) into a whimsical farmyard for Halloween. Tiny incubators, usually symbols of fragile beginnings, were adorned with both handmade and purchased...

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14-year-old refugee Anas in hospital bed, paralyzed by stray bullet on Chicago's North Side.

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Teen refugee paralyzed by stray bullet on North Side remains hospitalized with long recovery ahead

In a quiet corner of Chicago's North Side, the life of 14-year-old Anas took a tragic turn when a stray bullet struck him. Now, nearly a month later, he lies in a hospital bed, facing an uncertain future, a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of urban violence. This young refugee, who...

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Elderly couple holding hands, looking out over the Chicago skyline at sunset, symbolizing hope and resilience.

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Colon cancer rates rising across older age groups — and more health headlines

As the sun sets over Chicago, the stark reality of rising colon cancer rates among older adults looms large. Many families are grappling with the implications of this alarming trend, facing the heart-wrenching decisions that come with a cancer diagnosis. This critical health development, reported...

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Concerned mother holding her child's hand at a pumpkin farm, symbolizing the E. coli outbreak investigation.

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Woman says son may have contracted E. Coli after visiting pumpkin farm

A mother's desperate quest for answers has cast a shadow over a beloved autumn tradition, as a Chicago family grapples with the severe illness of their young son. Sharnay Buchanan fears her 3-year-old, Ezzittie Taylor, may have contracted E. coli, a serious bacterial infection, after a visit to a...

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Pope Leo XIV delivers a powerful video message on peace and war from his recovery, emphasizing unity.

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Pope says ‘there is no such thing as a holy war' in message to religious leaders

In a poignant video message delivered from his recovery, Pope Leo XIV declared with unwavering conviction that 'there is no such thing as a holy war,' a powerful statement resonating across a world grappling with escalating conflicts. His words, spoken as he recuperates from recent lung cancer...

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