Chicago philanthropists John and Kathy Schreiber have given a $35 million gift to Northwestern Medicine to establish the John and Kathy Schreiber Community Health Institute, according to a June 16 announcement. The institute will partner with community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community-based providers to improve access to high-quality healthcare in Chicago and surrounding communities.
The new initiative aims to provide direct care for under-insured patients, enhance care coordination and navigation, and develop workforce strategies focused on culturally competent care. This donation builds on more than 30 years of philanthropy from the Schreiber family, bringing their total support for Northwestern Medicine close to $50 million.
“This transformational gift from Schreiber Philanthropy will strengthen the Chicago area healthcare ecosystem, benefitting not only Northwestern Medicine patients, but also those living across Chicago and the surrounding communities,” said Howard Chrisman, president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “We are proud of our decades-long commitment to helping build stronger, healthier communities, and this gift will allow us to continue our mission to provide better overall access to healthcare and address critical healthcare needs for local communities across the region.”
Kathy Schreiber said, “Every person, regardless of where they live, should have access to high-quality healthcare. This Community Health Institute will strengthen the healthcare ecosystem in Chicagoland by addressing health disparities, expanding care access at two Transitional Care Clinics in Chicago and Lake County, empowering patients in historically under-served communities, and enhancing access to care navigation and supports. This investment is a key part of Schreiber Philanthropy’s broader strategy to strengthen and fortify Chicago’s healthcare ecosystem, and we are hopeful that – with Northwestern Medicine’s leadership – the Community Health Institute will be a model for how philanthropy can catalyze the reimagination of systems to better serve people and communities.”
The institute plans several initiatives including expanding services at Transitional Care Clinics for uninsured patients with complex medical needs; providing training for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and free clinics; creating a Care Navigation Hub connecting underinsured patients with resources; offering operational support for hospital partners; as well as using data-driven insights for patient care improvements.
Northwestern Medicine recognizes community contributions through humanitarian awards reflecting values of compassion; it receives national recognition for physician well-being programs; operates under parent organization Northwestern Memorial HealthCare; pursues a patient-focused mission including education and research; is led by Howard B. Chrisman as president/CEO; engages in collaborations advancing clinical research—all according to its official website.
