Research and Innovation
Northwestern Medicine Announces a $35M Grant to Launch a Community Health Institute
Schreiber Philanthropy is investing in Northwestern Medicine’s efforts to expand access to care, build the community health workforce, and address social health needs
Through their foundation, Schreiber Philanthropy, Chicago philanthropists John and Kathy Schreiber are deepening their commitment to enhancing access to high-quality health care with a $35 million gift to Northwestern Medicine to launch an innovative community health institute. The new John and Kathy Schreiber Community Health Institute (SCHI) will partner with community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community-based providers to build stronger, healthier communities through direct care for under-insured patients, increased care coordination and navigation, and innovative workforce strategies to improve the delivery of culturally-competent care.
This latest gift builds on a more than 30-year legacy of philanthropy from the Schreiber family, dating back to 1994, and brings their total support for Northwestern Medicine to nearly $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, MD, president and chief executive officer, 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.”
The institute combines Northwestern Medicine’s clinical expertise and resources with community partners to reduce gaps in access to care, meet social-related health needs, grow the community health workforce and improve community trust and empowerment. Through this gift, the institute will work to ensure that everyone can attain their highest level of health by reducing barriers to care.
“Every person, regardless of where they live, should have access to high-quality healthcare,” said Kathy Schreiber, Co-Founder of Schreiber Philanthropy. “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.”
Through the Schreiber Community Health Institute, Northwestern Medicine will aim to strengthen the care continuum by:
- Expanding access to Northwestern Medicine Transitional Care Clinics for patients without adequate insurance who have complex medical needs, as well as expanding services offered, including more support for addiction and substance use disorders
- Providing increased training and support to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and free clinics
- Creating a Care Navigation Hub that will connect patients who are underinsured and do not have a medical home to FQHCs and resources from community collaborators
- Leveraging Northwestern Medicine expertise to provide strategic and operational support for hospital partners, FQHCs and community collaborators so they can elevate and expand services for their patients and community members
- Operating with data-driven insights to ensure patients are getting the care they need when they need it
Up to 80% of an individual’s health is determined by factors in the community, not the health care setting, yet social needs and obstacles to care are prevalent in neighborhoods across Chicagoland. If left unchecked, health inequities will fundamentally change the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of healthcare for all. This investment will drive meaningful change and build stronger, healthier communities now and for generations to come.
For more information about the strategic goals of the John and Kathy Schreiber Community Health Institute, please visit www.nm.org/community.
For more information about Schreiber Philanthropy, please visit Schreiber Philanthropy.