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The ICU Story
ICU Consulting: A Story of Advocacy, Resilience, and Lived Experience
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In 2023, Robin Scott, the eldest grandchild of Rosalind Fagan, found herself in a position she had never anticipated. What started as a routine visit to her grandmother’s nursing home with her sister and children quickly became a pivotal moment in her life, setting the foundation for what would later become ICU Consulting Firm.
Robin’s grandmother, a woman of Cherokee and African American descent, was a strong-willed matriarch who had always been deeply connected to her family. She had faced her own struggles—moving from the Southside of Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, where she raised her children amid systemic obstacles like poverty and discrimination. Over the years, Rosalind had become a symbol of resilience to her family, from being a beloved daycare teacher to a woman who faced her demons with alcohol and health issues, and now, in her later years, grappling with a terminal illness.
When Robin's grandmother fell ill in 2023, it wasn’t just the physical ailments that burdened her; it was also the historical trauma she had carried for years. This was a woman who had survived personal losses, including the death of her son and the weight of unspoken grief from years of oppression, poverty, and a lifetime of hard decisions. Her body may have been fragile, but her spirit remained strong, still full of humor, as she joked with her great-grandchildren and recounted her rebellious youth. However, beneath the laughter, the family saw the toll that systemic neglect and discrimination had taken on her.
In the hospital, surrounded by doctors and clinicians who didn’t fully understand the culturally relevant care Rosalind needed, Robin stepped up as her Power of Attorney. Despite the challenges, it was Robin’s fierce advocacy for her grandmother that revealed the gaps in care—particularly in medical equity, communication, and patient-centered practices. From a rare condition caused by a reaction to penicillin to dismissive staff members who didn’t prioritize her grandmother’s pain, Robin encountered layers of medical injustice that mirrored the same issues she had fought against in her community work.
As her grandmother’s condition worsened, Robin realized that these moments of advocacy, persistence, and resistance were not only necessary for her family but were reflective of a larger systemic problem. She understood that this wasn’t just about one woman’s fight for dignity; it was a microcosm of the broader issues that plagued healthcare systems and other institutions. Too often, marginalized communities—particularly Black and Indigenous families—were left fighting for the care they deserved, all while navigating the trauma of historical and present-day racism and neglect.
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A Dream Born
in the ICU
The idea for ICU Consulting was born during those difficult days. While sitting by her grandmother’s bedside, Robin began to think about how the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was meant to be a place where life-saving interventions occurred. Yet, it lacked the trauma-informed, culturally competent practices that could make a difference in people’s lives, not just in their physical health but also in their emotional and cultural well-being.
Robin envisioned ICU Consulting as an extension of this care—bringing intensive, individualized, and impactful services to a variety of sectors, from healthcare to education, corporate settings, and nonprofits. The name ICU wasn’t just a reference to the hospital unit, but a declaration: “I See You.” ICU Consulting would see people for who they are—their history, their culture, their struggles, and their potential.
The idea drew from Robin’s years of work with We All Rise: African American Resource Center, where she had already been tackling issues like incarceration disparities, economic inequities, and the lack of culturally relevant services for Black communities. But ICU Consulting would expand on that work, combining the lived experiences of professionals like Rajon Hall, a dedicated social worker and her brother, who had faced his own battles growing up in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. Together, they would form a multigenerational, multidisciplinary team with other experts like Dr. Khadijha Kelley, Amanda Garcia, Said Hassen, and Gratzia Villarroel—each bringing their unique perspectives from social work, academia, politics, and cultural research.
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A Blend of Personal and Professional
The power of ICU Consulting lies in its intersectionality—where grassroots activism meets academic research, where lived experience is valued just as much as professional credentials. The team embodies a multi-generational approach, spanning the knowledge of Gen Z, Millennials, and older generations to address the evolving needs of today’s workforce and social climate.
Robin’s grandmother, who shared a birthday with her daughter, was a constant reminder of the power of family, heritage, and persistence. Her fight to live, despite her terminal diagnosis, symbolized the resilience of Black and Indigenous people—communities that have always fought for their survival, even when the odds were stacked against them.
Robin's personal connection with her grandmother’s life story, filled with joy, trauma, and hard-earned wisdom, became a driving force behind ICU's mission. The firm would offer trauma-informed, culturally competent solutions to businesses and organizations struggling to navigate the changing social landscape. Mental health, racial equity, youth engagement, and community empowerment would be at the core of ICU’s offerings.
ICU Consulting: Transformative Work Across Generations
ICU Consulting is not just about fixing problems—it’s about transforming lives and systems. It’s about understanding the complexities of historical trauma, navigating the nuances of multicultural experiences, and offering real solutions that meet the needs of diverse populations. Whether it’s Rajon mentoring young Black men to navigate imposter syndrome or Robin standing firm in advocating for culturally relevant care for her grandmother, ICU is about doing the hard work to ensure that people are seen, heard, and valued.
With offices in Green Bay, Wisconsin and Houston, Texas, ICU Consulting offers a national reach with local expertise. The team is uniquely positioned to bridge gaps across different sectors and communities, providing tailored solutions that address the urgent needs of today’s workforce, educational institutions, and healthcare systems. Whether it’s creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that prioritize mental health or conducting environmental audits to ensure inclusive, culturally aware spaces, ICU Consulting is dedicated to making a lasting impact.
A Legacy of Resilience and Advocacy
Robin Scott’s grandmother may have faced her challenges, but her life—much like the mission of ICU Consulting—is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of advocacy. She continues to joke with her great-grandchildren, even after her diagnosis, reminding her family that laughter and love can coexist with hardship. And in the same way, ICU Consulting embodies that balance—pushing for systemic change while maintaining a deep, empathetic connection to the individuals and communities it serves.
ICU Consulting isn’t just a company—it’s a movement, born from the understanding that true care goes beyond procedures and policies. It’s about seeing people for who they are and ensuring that no one is left behind, whether they are a grandmother in a nursing home or a young professional navigating the complexities of today’s world. ICU sees you, hears you, and stands with you, every step of the way.