In a poignant moment that concludes a lengthy struggle, Bert Goodwin (portrayed by Gregory Alan Williams) succumbs to his ailments in the episode titled “Blindsided.” Following a decline marked by a severe brain bleed after a fall at his care facility, Bert’s passing is an event anticipated by his family. His adult children have been residing at the family home, preparing for this inevitable moment, and are gathered together when he takes his final breath.

The suddenness of Bert’s death may catch viewers off guard, much like it surprises his ex-wife Sharon (played by S. Epatha Merkerson). This narrative twist serves as a poignant reminder of life’s unpredictability: even with the show’s hints about Bert’s fate sprinkled throughout Seasons 10 and 11, the reality of his passing hits with the same intensity and shock of a true personal loss.

Bert’s journey with Alzheimer’s began back in Season 9, marking a significant storyline for “Chicago Med.” Sharon eventually decided that an assisted living facility was the best environment for him. After Bert’s accident, she discovers he has an advanced directive that forbids surgical procedures, sealing his fate. With limited options, the family comes together to support one another, facing lingering issues such as David Goodwin’s (Gbenga Akinnagbe) revelation that Bert was not his biological father. After the funeral, Sharon finds herself wrestling with her emotions and turns to a trusted medical professional for guidance.

Following Bert’s death, Sharon navigates her complicated feelings about his absence. The Alzheimer’s had already taken away much of who Bert was, leaving Sharon to mourn a different version of the man she once knew. Luckily, she has Tamika Jenkins (played by Sheria Irving) by her side. As a home health aide, Tamika not only aids Sharon in managing the immediate aftermath of Bert’s death but also provides comfort, assuring Sharon that her cherished memories of the real Bert will eventually resurface, while the pain of his illness will fade into the background.

In the wake of Bert’s passing, Sharon grapples with her conflicted feelings regarding his absence. Due to his impaired memory and the loss of his cognition from Alzheimer’s, Sharon feels like she’s burying an entirely different person than the one she loved. Fortunately for her, she has Tamika Jenkins (Sheria Irving) to help. The home health aid helps Sharon take care of the immediate aftermath of Bert’s death and gives her emotional support. Tamika tells Sharon that all of her good memories of Bert will come back in time, and her inability to remember the man he was before his illness will soon recede into the past.

Dr. Daniel Charles (Oliver Platt) — who has been secretly facing some big medical issues himself — is also there to provide a shoulder for Sharon. In the episode’s final scene, she returns to the office in the wake of Bert’s funeral. Dr. Charles asks for a leave of absence due to his depression, and she naturally grants it. After they part, Sharon clears out a box of Bert’s belongings and is touched to find a DVD filled with footage of her and the kids on it. Tamika appears to be right; her feelings may always evolve, but what she loved about Bert will always be there, locked safe in her own mind.