Burnett School of Medicine Alumna Featured on TCU Mural in Chicago


The latest cross-country installation honoring TCU’s 150th was unveiled June 5 in Chicago. The mural features recent Burnett School of Medicine graduate McKenna Chalman, M.D., who is one of four TCU alumni leading on with empathy in health care professions.

Photo Credit: TCU

The latest cross-country installation honoring TCU’s 150th was unveiled June 5 in Chicago, and features recent Burnett School of Medicine graduate McKenna Chalman, M.D., who is one of four TCU alumni leading on with empathy in health care professions.

As part of TCU’s Sesquicentennial, TCU is highlighting notable Horned Frog leaders with a series of nationwide events and hand-painted, large-scale murals. This installation is 18 feet high and 56 feet wide, located at 1920 N Western Ave. in the Bucktown neighborhood.

mockup of Chicago mural“We’re honored to celebrate these four outstanding alumni in Chicago in addition to all the Horned Frogs who are making an impact as doctors, nurses, clinicians and researchers,” TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. said. “Our medical school and nursing and pre-health programs lead the way for the future of health care education curriculum and training.”

TCU has a long history of educating medical and clinical professionals, and recently graduated its first class of M.D.s from the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU.

“For 150 years, TCU has been developing the next generation of leaders and innovators with a focus on the greater good,” TCU President Daniel W. Pullin said. “Our leadership in health care – as evidenced by these remarkable graduates – will continue to pave the way in the medical professions, leading change in research and patient care.”

Dr. McKenna Chalman ’19, M.D. ’23

Chalman is a graduate of the inaugural class of TCU’s Burnett School of Medicine and is beginning her residency in general surgery at Rush University in Chicago. She grew up in Yorba Linda, California, and was motivated to pursue medicine by her mother, who is a registered nurse. Like all Burnett School of Medicine graduates, she was trained as an Empathetic Scholar®, a caregiver who values both medical knowledge and communication and connection with patients.

“Technology is advancing very quickly in health care, but treating patients with compassion and keeping them at the center of everything we do is just as important,” Chalman said. “Empathy is the foundation of connecting and building a relationship with others – and that allows us to provide the very best care to our patients.”

McKenna Chalman, '19, MD '23
McKenna Chalman, ’19, M.D. ’23

TCU’s 150th

The mural series is part of TCU’s Sesquicentennial celebration. The first three murals in the series were unveiled in New York City, Los Angeles and Nashville and spotlighted John Devereaux ’12 of “Hamilton,” Katherine Beattie ’08, a producer/writer for “NCIS” and wheelchair athlete, and Desmond Bane20, an NBA player for the Memphis Grizzlies and a youth advocate. The final mural will debut in Fort Worth in fall 2023.

“This is an extraordinary time in TCU’s history,” Boschini said. “We are showing the world what Horned Frogs can do when we Lead On — together. Our innovative murals across the country give us an even greater opportunity to connect with and celebrate our powerful community of students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans. Throughout our 150th year, this campaign captures the character and tenacity of our leaders.”

Meet the Horned Frogs on the Chicago Mural