Northwestern Medicine has received a $25 million donation from Kent and Liz Dauten and the Dauten Family Foundation to establish the Northwestern Medicine Dauten Behavioral Health Institute. The new institute aims to enhance behavioral health care in Chicago and beyond, with a focus on improving patient services, research, and education.
The gift will also fund the creation of the Bipolar Disorder Center of Excellence. This center is designed to advance understanding and care for individuals living with bipolar disorder by providing comprehensive treatment, supporting translational research, and fostering collaboration among professionals.
Liz Dauten, president of the Dauten Family Foundation, stated, “We are honored to support Northwestern Medicine in its mission to elevate behavioral health care.” Kent Dauten added, “Our family’s philanthropy has prioritized the field of brain science and mental health where there is an explosion in demand for care and an urgent need to find better treatments. As longstanding supporters of the Northwestern Medicine three-pronged model - clinical care, research and education - we could not be more excited about this new collaboration.”
Howard Chrisman, MD, president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare said, “This extraordinary gift from the Dauten family marks a turning point in our ability to deliver world-class behavioral health care. The Dauten Behavioral Health Institute will be a beacon of hope and innovation, advancing patient care, research, and education for generations to come.”
The Dauten Family Foundation has previously invested in various aspects of brain health including basic neuroscience research, community mental health organizations, educational programs aimed at reducing stigma around mental illness, as well as policy advocacy efforts. Their mission is focused on promoting mental health so that people affected by mental illnesses can lead meaningful lives.
Sachin Patel, MD, PhD, chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern Medicine commented on the partnership: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Liz and Kent Dauten to develop a nationally recognized center of excellence focused on providing patients with bipolar disorder improved access to state-of-the-art, high-quality interdisciplinary care; pushing the envelope of innovative care models; and patient-focused research in the field.”
The institute plans several initiatives including peer support programs for employment assistance; establishing a clinical research registry; developing collaborative models for behavioral healthcare; expanding emergency psychiatric services; consultative liaison offerings; as well as creating an innovation fund intended for pilot projects.
This donation is one of the largest philanthropic contributions dedicated to behavioral health in this region.
