Is Kristen Hager leaving Chicago Med?

Dr. Stevie Hammer has some skeletons in her closet. While her approach to medicine is grounded in logic and thought-out conclusions, her relationship with her mother (Bonita Friedericy) is the complete opposite.

The contrast came to a head in the latest Chicago Med episode, “All the Things That Could Have Been”. Dr. Hammer’s mother returns and reveals some new information about the family history, leading to some notable realizations.

Will these realizations lead the character, and the star who plays her, Kristen Hager, to leave the show? Here’s what we know.

Is Dr. Stevie Hammer leaving Chicago Med?

In the episode, Dr. Hammer discovers that her mother has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It turns out, the reason she had resorted to drinking and being destitute all these years was a way of self-medicating, because she did not want to seek professional help.

Dr. Hammer is initially pleased to find out that her mother is getting the help she needs, but she soon realizes that her mother sought this help without consulting her first. In fact, she didn’t know anything until one of the nurses mentioned it to her in passing.

Hammer chastises Dr. Charles (Oliver Platt) for not telling her, but the latter explains that he was told not to share any information. This frustrates Hammer, who feels like she’s being cut out of her mother’s life when she’s making her most significant strides.

The two are able to reconcile in the end. Hammer is invited to go visit her mother, who’s no longer living on the streets. She has an apartment of her own, and is on medication that makes her day-to-day living much easier. It’s this change that allows Hammer to consider something she had blocked out for a long time: moving away.

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Now that Hammer’s mother is stable and healthy, she no longer feels the need to stay in Chicago. The episode ends with the character contemplating her future, and perhaps even a change of scenery, now that she can focus exclusively on what she needs/wants.

So, the natural question, is will Hammer and/or Hager be leaving Chicago Med? Fortunately, the answer is no. The character and star will be sticking around for the rest of season 7 and the near future.

There have been announcements that Hager will be vacating her spot, and the writers have gone out of their way to build up her dynamic with Dr. Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss), implying a more long term arc. In reality, her character is simply coming to terms with a turning point in her life, and is forced to decide what the next step is. Whatever said step is, it will be onscreen.

For the latest Chicago Med season 7 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Med category at One Chicago Center.