Activists have been organizing protests and rallies demanding that the University of Chicago (UC) Medical Center reopen a Level 1 Adult Trauma Care Center at the Hyde Park campus that was shut down in 1988.

Protestors allege that one of the most well-known medical centers in the world does not include an adult trauma center forcing trauma patients to be transported miles away to other hospitals.

The university does have a trauma center for patients below the age of 16.

"Using data from Chicago, using data from gunshot wounds, these researchers have proven that for the patients a trauma center would help. There is a significant difference in the odds of survivability based off of where a trauma center could be located," UC activist Patrick Dexter said.

Dexter mentions the case of Kevin Ambrose, who was shot recently at CTA Green Line station near the University. His friend, Michael Dye, said that Ambrose was taken to Stroger Hospital on the west side, which is 30 minutes away from the university.

Dye said that Kevin could have been saved if there had been a trauma center at the university.

Even though the university just opened a new, 700-million dollar hospital, the officials said that it can't afford an adult trauma center without terminating its other critical services including pediatric trauma unit, burn unit and neonatal intensive care at Comer Children's Hospital.

"Not saying there shouldn't be a Level 1 trauma center. What I'm saying is that if a Level 1 trauma center is needed, it will need to be at another hospital," Dr. Kenneth Polonsky, executive vice president for medical affairs, dean of division of the biological sciences and dean of the Pritzker School of Medicine, said.

"It is your job to provide treatment, especially since you sit right in our community," Victoria Crider, a member of Fearless Leading by the Youth said.