Chicago philanthropist Neil G. Bluhm and the Bluhm Family Foundation have made a $50 million donation to the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute (BCVI). This latest contribution brings Bluhm’s total giving to BCVI to $135 million over two decades. The funds will be used to expand access to cardiac care, support research, and further develop what is recognized as one of the leading heart programs in the United States and globally.
“My main goal has always been to ensure that anyone who needs world-class heart care can get it,” said Bluhm. “We made this possible 20 years ago in downtown Chicago and built on that when we expanded care into the suburbs. It has been one of my greatest honors to watch this program touch so many lives and I’m humbled to continue supporting this mission.”
Since its founding in 2005 with an initial gift from Bluhm, BCVI has treated hundreds of thousands of patients across Chicago and beyond. The institute’s growth has included efforts to improve health equity by extending specialized care throughout the region. Additional donations have supported research initiatives, physician recruitment, and new programs such as the Center for Artificial Intelligence and the Bluhm Heart Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The recent $50 million gift will fund several priorities: expanding access through new technologies within Northwestern Medicine’s nine-hospital network, increasing procedural space at Bluhm Heart Hospital, supporting research and clinical trials, developing innovations in cardiovascular medicine, funding fellowships for physician training, and recruiting medical leaders.
“Generous contributions from the Bluhm Family have continuously fueled our commitment to saving lives and putting patients first,” said Howard Chrisman, MD, president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “By investing in the future of cardiac medicine, BCVI will continue to stand as a beacon of hope for patients all over the world and for generations to come.”
Thanks in part to philanthropy from Bluhm, BCVI has grown from treating 1,000 patients in its first year to more than 48,000 in 2025. The institute now operates across 18 locations in greater Chicago with a staff of 2,400 clinicians—including more than 186 cardiologists as well as cardiac and vascular surgeons—who often handle complex cases referred from other health systems.
Key achievements include being ranked among the top ten cardiology programs nationally by U.S. News & World Report for ten consecutive years; ranking among the top twenty hospitals worldwide for cardiac surgery according to Newsweek; high patient satisfaction rates; significant growth in cardiac surgeries since inception; treatment of patients from all fifty states and at least forty countries; publication of thousands of scientific manuscripts; and securing substantial federal research funding.
“As we conclude the celebration of BCVI’s first 20 years, this extraordinary gift ensures we are not only honoring our past but shaping the next 20 years of cardiovascular care,” said Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, executive director of BCVI. “This commitment keeps Northwestern Medicine at the forefront of cardiovascular medicine, empowering us to deliver superior outcomes for patients today and into the future.”
Northwestern Medicine functions under its parent organization Northwestern Memorial HealthCare (https://news.nm.org/). The institution is known for recognizing community service through humanitarian awards that reflect values such as compassion (https://news.nm.org/). It also receives national recognition for supporting physician well-being through acclaimed programs (https://news.nm.org/).
Northwestern Medicine maintains a patient-focused mission centered on providing high-quality care while advancing education and research (https://news.nm.org/). Strategic collaborations help drive progress in clinical research and educational initiatives (https://news.nm.org/). Howard B. Chrisman serves as president and chief executive officer (https://news.nm.org/).
For more information about cardiovascular treatments at Northwestern Medicine visit nm.org/heart.
