CHICAGO – November 2, 2026 – Northwestern Medicine will screen more than 300 firefighters from Chicago and DeKalb, Illinois, for lung cancer through its innovative Lung Health Center at the Canning Thoracic Institute, continuing efforts to detect cancer earlier in populations at increased risk. The initiative will take place in November for Lung Cancer Awareness Month and aligns with Northwestern Medicine's broader mission to expand access to lung cancer screening and identify cancers before symptoms appear.

Firefighters face unique occupational exposures that can increase their risk for lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. During firefighting operations, they may encounter smoke, diesel exhaust, asbestos, benzene, silica and other cancer-causing substances released during fires. Because lung cancer often develops silently and symptoms frequently do not appear until the disease has reached an advanced stage, early screening is critical.

"Lung cancer remains the deadliest cancer in the United States, affecting both smokers and non-smokers, and yet we continue to wait for symptoms before many people receive a diagnosis," said Ankit Bharat, MD, chief of thoracic surgery and executive director of the Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute. "By bringing screening directly to firefighters, we're taking a proactive approach to finding cancer earlier, when it is most treatable and potentially curable.”

Research reveals major gaps in current lung cancer screening guidelines

Northwestern Medicine launched the Lung Health Center in November 2025 after their research revealed significant gaps in current federal lung cancer screening guidelines. In a study published in JAMA Network Open, Northwestern Medicine investigators found that only 35% of patients treated for lung cancer would have qualified for screening under current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines. Nearly two-thirds of patients who would not have qualified were women or people who had never smoked.

The Lung Health Center was created to evaluate a new approach: universal age-based screening, similar to breast and colon cancer screening programs. The center's ongoing research project aims to screen 10,000 individuals over five years, regardless of whether they meet traditional CT screening criteria.

Early findings show promise, including cancers detected in never-smokers

In its first year, the Lung Health Center screened nearly 1,000 participants and produced promising results:

-              The average participant age was 56.

-              Forty percent had a smoking history but did not meet current USPSTF screening criteria.

-              More than half (54%) had lung nodules or other findings that placed them at elevated risk and warranted ongoing surveillance.

-              Six patients were diagnosed with early-stage cancers and successfully treated.

-              Among those diagnoses were two patients with stage 1 lung cancer who had never smoked.

Northwestern Medicine researchers are advocating for expanded lung cancer screening guidelines that would offer screening to adults ages 40 to 85, regardless of smoking history. Researchers estimate that an age-based approach could detect 94% of lung cancers and prevent more than 26,000 additional deaths annually.

"We successfully moved to universal age-based screening for breast and colon cancer, and lung cancer deserves the same attention," Bharat said. "A simple low-dose CT scan has the potential to save thousands of lives each year."

Lung cancer kills more Americans than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined, accounting for nearly one in five cancer deaths. Yet nearly 80% of lung cancers are still diagnosed at advanced stages, largely because symptoms often do not appear until the disease has progressed.

Firefighter initiative targets occupational cancer risks

The firefighter screening initiative reflects Northwestern Medicine's commitment to identifying individuals at risk before symptoms develop and advancing research that could ultimately reshape national screening guidelines.

"Occupational cancer in the fire service reflects cumulative exposure across our entire career, not a single incident. For decades, firefighters have worn PFAS-containing turnout gear. In the firehouse, they have also been exposed to diesel exhaust and to off-gassing from contaminated gear stored near living quarters. Illinois’ 2027 prohibition on selling PFAS-containing gear to fire departments is an important step, but it doesn't undo the exposures our members have already accumulated. We’re grateful to Northwestern Medicine for bringing low-dose CT screening directly to our members, which makes earlier detection possible when lung cancer is most treatable,” said Erik Steinmetz, firefighter for the Chicago Fire Department and president of the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2.

“Firefighters understand better than most people that not every risk is visible. Lung cancer can develop long before symptoms appear, which is why proactive screening is so important. We’re grateful to partner with Northwestern Medicine on an initiative that helps protect firefighters and reinforces the importance of early detection for everyone at increased risk,” said Luke Howieson, fire chief for the City of DeKalb Fire Department.

To schedule an appointment

Patients can access the Lung Health Center through a simple process beginning with a phone consultation. Anyone over the age of 21 is eligible to receive a free consultation, with particular emphasis on those over 40 or with risk factors.

“Patients shouldn’t have to navigate this process alone, and we strive to make it as simple and convenient as possible,” said Abbey Roepke, certified nurse practitioner with the Lung Health Center. “From the first phone call to delivering results, our team coordinates every step. Thanks to insurance coverage and Canning’s philanthropic support, we’re able to help ensure eligible patients have access to this potentially life-saving screening."

The Lung Health Center also includes a research component where participants contribute de-identified data to help establish new screening guidelines. The center incorporates artificial intelligence to provide rapid, highly sensitive analysis of results, with the goal of delivering comprehensive health insights within seconds of scanning.

For more information or to schedule a screening consultation, call 312.695.1800 and mention the Lung Health Center, or email lunghealthcenter@nm.org.

The pulmonology and lung surgery program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital is proud to be the highest-ranked in Illinois for 15 straight years and No. 4 in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report, 2026 – 2027. For more information, visit nm.org.

CHICAGO – October 27, 2026 – Northwestern Medicine has established the Northwestern Medicine Transplant Institute, marking a transformative new chapter in its commitment to advancing transplant innovation. Made possible by a five-year fundraising campaign, the institute brings together nationally recognized programs and multidisciplinary expertise to accelerate discovery, expand access to transplantation and advance patient care.

“For more than six decades, Northwestern Medicine has helped shape the evolution of transplant care. Every day, we see the extraordinary commitment of the people working across our transplant programs to help patients navigate some of life’s most difficult challenges,” said Howard Chrisman, MD, president and chief executive officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “Through philanthropic support, Northwestern Medicine will continue to shape a future where even more patients have the opportunity to thrive after transplant.”

The institute launches as Northwestern Medicine’s transplant programs continue to achieve record growth and national recognition.

- In September, the liver transplant team completed their 3,000^th liver transplant, becoming the first program in Illinois to reach the milestone.

- In 2025, Northwestern Medicine performed 691 transplants, the most in Northwestern Medicine history.

- They rank among the nation’s top 10 transplant centers for the number of transplants performed.

- Home to the largest liver, kidney and living donor transplant programs in Illinois.

The institute represents the culmination of a vision that has taken shape over the five years since Satish Nadig, MD, PhD, transplant surgeon and executive director of the Northwestern Medicine Transplant Institute, joined the team.

“We really had to think about what does transplant mean to Northwestern and what exactly can we do to change the landscape of the field,” said Dr. Nadig. “It became very clear to us that we hang our hat on this idea of innovation, so we got to work.”

Destination for transplant innovation

Northwestern Medicine is advancing transplantation through innovations such as AI-powered donor matching, AWAKE kidney transplantation, liver transplants for terminal colon cancer, robotic surgery, xenotransplantation and regenerative medicine, making transplants safer, more effective and more accessible.

The institute will include several centers, each with a unique focus.

• Highly specialized Northwestern Medicine Organ Transplant Centers for abdominal organ transplants: 
  • Tony and Laura Davis Center for Kidney Transplantation
  • Center for Liver Diseases and Transplantation
  • Center for Pancreas, Islet Cell and Intestinal Transplantation
  • Kovler Organ Transplantation Clinic
  • Siragusa Transplantation Center at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, in partnership with Northwestern Medicine
• Northwestern Medicine Center for Transplant Research and Education: fueling discovery and scientific advancement in partnership with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
• Northwestern Medicine Center for Transplant Access: making transplantation safer, faster and more accessible for patients and living donors 
• Northwestern Medicine Center for Transplant Innovation: developing the next generation of transplant therapies

"Establishing Northwestern Medicine Transplant Institute is not simply a reorganization of what we do. It is a deliberate, bold commitment to lead transplantation into its next great era – the era of technology,” said Dr. Nadig. “Our vision is to become the destination for transplant innovation, a place patients turn to when options have run out elsewhere, and where breakthrough science, exceptional clinical care and bold thinking come together to make the impossible possible.”

Father-daughter kidney transplant

Just days before Christmas in 2023, Art Nichols of West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer that had severely damaged his kidneys. With few options, the father of two and grandfather of 10 soon began dialysis treatment, three days a week for four hours at a time. As months on dialysis stretched into years, his family explored the possibility of a kidney transplant with different health systems in the Midwest.

“In our research, my son-in-law discovered that Northwestern Medicine had a living-donor transplant program,” Nichols said. “I was accepted into the program in April, and I was instantly drawn to the confidence of the team as they explained, step by step, what the process of finding a match would look like and what I could expect from the procedure.”

Little did Nichols know that his donor would be someone he already knew.

Without his knowledge, his daughter, Natalie Nichols, a mother of two and a veterinary technician in Fisher, Indiana, underwent testing that confirmed she was a perfect match. With a kidney secured, Natalie and Art’s transplant team went about scheduling surgery for September 18, along with the ultimate surprise. Just days after Art received his new kidney, his care team asked if the 70-year-old wanted to meet his donor.

“Natalie walked through the door of my hospital room at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had no clue she had gone about getting tested,” Art said. “Eighteen must be my lucky number. I was born on January 18, Natalie’s birthday is April 18, and now September 18 will be another special day for us. It means the world to me what she did.”

Just over a month post-op, Art says his new kidney is working flawlessly. No longer tied to a dialysis schedule, his days are now packed with the football and soccer games of his grandchildren.

“Natalie and Northwestern Medicine have given me a second chance at life that nearly three years ago, I could only have dreamed of,” Art said. “It’s programs like this and living donors like Natalie that truly have the power to change lives.”

For more information on the Transplant Institute, visit nm.org.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – October 27, 2026 – When 45-year-old nurse and mother of two Melissa Brown was diagnosed with breast cancer, she knew a mastectomy could save her life. She also worried it could take away something deeply personal: the ability to feel her daughters’ hugs.

Brown, who lives in Clive, Iowa, had seen her older sister experience lasting numbness after a double mastectomy. “One of the things that bothered her the most was the lack of sensation that she had,” Brown said. “That was something she really grieved.”

Determined to preserve sensation if possible, Brown researched her options and traveled more than five hours from the Des Moines area to Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital in Chicago’s north suburbs. There, she underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction and nerve grafting, a specialized procedure that requires additional surgeon training and expertise. Brown’s experience highlights a breast surgery and reconstruction option many patients may not know exists.

“A lot of patients aren’t aware of the loss of sensation and what that’s really like before they undergo a mastectomy,” said Heidi Memmel, MD, a breast surgeon at Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital. “Oftentimes they’re shocked after surgery when they can’t feel anything. This is an opportunity to restore a little bit of that sensation.”

What is a nerve-grafting mastectomy?

During a traditional mastectomy, sensory nerves are cut when the breast tissue is removed, which can leave patients unable to feel pressure, light touch, pain or a hug against the breast.

With nerve-preserving and nerve-grafting techniques, breast and reconstructive surgeons work together to preserve and reconnect nerves. The breast surgeon identifies and protects eligible nerves from the chest wall. The reconstructive surgeon then uses a cadaver nerve graft, or sometimes the patient’s own nerve, to reconnect them to nerves beneath the nipple and surrounding skin. The nerve re-sensation techniques are performed as part of the mastectomy and reconstruction process and generally do not require a separate recovery period.

“The breast surgeon has to be prepared to be able to find those nerves, know where to look for them and save them so those nerve endings are intact,” Dr. Memmel said. “And then the plastic surgeon grafts that nerve back to the tiny little nerves in the skin. It’s really a team effort.”

Sensation typically returns gradually as the nerves grow through the graft. Although surgeons cannot guarantee the complete return of sensation, the procedure may help patients regain feeling over time.

“What I’m philosophically really trying to do is help patients feel like themselves again,” said Chad Teven, MD, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital. “One of the ways to do that is to help restore sensation so that they have as normal a feeling as they can after a big operation.”

Brown’s sensation began to return within three weeks of surgery, when Brown reported she had 50% sensation back, with feeling at the tops and sides of her breasts.

“I wanted to be able to feel my children’s hugs”

Considered high risk for breast cancer, Brown’s cancer was detected after her annual MRI identified areas of concern. She underwent a lumpectomy and was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. When her doctors in Iowa had concerns that there could be additional cancer that could not be seen on imaging, Brown and her physicians ultimately decided a double mastectomy was her best option.

Preserving sensation was especially important to Brown, who has two daughters. “I wanted to be able to feel my children’s hugs when they come up and give me a big hug,” Brown said.

Brown traveled to Lake Forest to undergo a nerve-grafting mastectomy with Dr. Memmel and Dr. Teven in September. For Brown, regaining sensation is about more than physical feeling. “I think being able to have even some sensation back helps mentally and being able to feel that, yes, this is my body,” Brown said.

Exploring your surgical options

Nerve grafting may not be appropriate or available for every patient, but Brown’s experience underscores the importance of discussing the potential loss of sensation before surgery. “Sometimes these things like sensation get brushed aside as not meaningful because we want to get rid of the cancer,” Brown said. “That’s the primary concern.”

Memmel encourages patients considering a mastectomy to ask how surgery may affect sensation and whether nerve preservation or reconstruction could be included in their surgical plan. For Brown, finding a surgical team willing to explore those questions changed how she viewed her cancer experience. “There’s so much that a person loses through cancer,” Brown said. “Being able to have such wonderful doctors to work with has helped me see this as something that I can grow through and not see it as loss.”

Northwestern Medicine provides comprehensive breast surgery and multidisciplinary breast care through the Northwestern Medicine Breast Health Program. Board-certified surgeons and clinical care teams offer a full range of breast surgery and breast reconstruction options at hospitals throughout the Chicago area including downtown, the northern, western and south suburban locations.

For more information to better understand the surgical options available to you, visit nm.org.

Colorful costumes, treat-filled buckets, and welcoming accommodations created fun fall memories.

WHEATON, Ill. — Superheroes, princesses and plenty of treats were  abound at Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital during a trunk-or-treat party for pediatric patients, showcasing thoughtful accommodations that help children of all abilities enjoy Halloween festivities.

The event offered an accessible way for children receiving treatment for a range of physical and developmental differences to celebrate Halloween in an environment designed with their individual needs in mind. Children in costumes enjoyed the event with their physicians, care teams and other volunteers.

“There’s something special about seeing children of all abilities in costume going from trunk to trunk, picking out treats and simply enjoying Halloween fun with their families,” said Larissa Pavone, MD, chief medical officer at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. “This event is all about creating a space where every child can join and make memories together.”

Adaptations included accessible stations that children using mobility devices could navigate easily. Stickers and small toys were available for children with feeding differences, and an easy-to-navigate scavenger hunt added to the fun.

 The event is an annual favorite for families of pediatric patients at Marianjoy, many of whom bring siblings to join the fun.

“Kei’anna gets to practice using her communication device, spend time with familiar faces from her care team and enjoy trick-or-treating in a space that’s accessible for her wheelchair,” said Angie Bateman, whose daughter enjoyed the festivities dressed as a farmer. “We’re very grateful she can fully participate.”

 Photos and video capture the moments that made the day special, from costumed children collecting treats to families and staff enjoying Halloween together.

To learn more about rehabilitation services at Northwestern Medicine, visit https://news.nm.org/.

About Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital

As the only acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital in DuPage County, Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital provides comprehensive care for a wide range of injuries and illnesses. Specialized clinical programs include brain injury, neuromuscular, orthopedic, pediatric, spinal cord and stroke rehabilitation.

Through a multidisciplinary approach, Marianjoy combines leading-edge research, advanced technology and holistic care. Care teams develop personalized, patient-guided treatment plans using the latest evidence-based therapies to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes. Marianjoy is ranked No. 2 in Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area and No. 40 nationally for rehabilitation in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.
 

###

HUNTLEY, Illinois – October 19, 2026 – Northwestern Medicine is welcoming patients to a new Outpatient Center on the Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital campus that expands access to advanced cancer, heart and specialty care services for patients throughout McHenry County and the surrounding region.

The approximately 80,000-square-foot medical office building significantly expands existing services, including the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, oncology and infusion services, general surgery and urology, while introducing several new specialties to the Huntley campus, including:

• Gastroenterology

• Pulmonary medicine through the Canning Thoracic Institute

• Palliative care

• Radiation oncology

• Gynecological oncology (Coming 2027)

“This expansion represents our continued commitment to bringing world-class specialty care closer to where our patients live and work,” said Matt Carlen, president of Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital. “This investment expands access to highly specialized services while enhancing the coordinated, patient-centered care that Northwestern Medicine is known for. Patients will benefit from greater convenience, improved access to physicians and advanced treatment options, all in one location.”

New Huntley Outpatient Center at a Glance

The new building, located at 10390 Haligus Road, Huntley, provides access to specialty care services including:

• Radiation Oncology – A new service for the Huntley campus, providing comprehensive cancer treatment closer to home

• Oncology Infusion – Increased infusion capacity for cancer patients

• Oncology Laboratory Services – Dedicated on-site laboratory services supporting cancer care

• Cardiac Diagnostics – Expanded cardiac testing and diagnostic services

The facility houses several Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group Clinics, including:

• Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute

• Gastroenterology

• General Surgery

• Medical Oncology, including Palliative Care

• Pulmonology/Canning Thoracic Institute

• Urology

“This new outpatient center strengthens our ability to care for patients across every stage of their healthcare journey,” said Patrick Towne, MD, president of Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group. “By expanding cancer, cardiovascular and specialty services in Huntley, we are improving access, reducing wait times and making it easier for patients and families to receive exceptional care in their own community.”

Dedicated Cancer Care

A centerpiece of the new facility is a dedicated Cancer Center that doubles the number of exam and infusion rooms available to patients. The expansion increases infusion capacity from eight to 16 rooms and medical oncology exam rooms from six to 13. The center also introduces palliative care and radiation oncology services to the Huntley campus for the first time, allowing patients to receive a broader spectrum of cancer care close to home.

Located on the first floor, the new radiation oncology program includes dedicated clinical space with six exam rooms and will work closely with medical oncology and infusion services to provide an integrated cancer care experience.

“Patients often require multiple types of treatment as part of their cancer journey,” said Terrence Bugno, MD, a radiation oncologist at the Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital Cancer Center. “Having radiation oncology available on the Huntley campus enables us to deliver more coordinated care while helping patients avoid unnecessary travel during treatment.”

Previously, Northwestern Medicine patients in the northwest suburbs received radiation oncology services at the McHenry Hospital Cancer Center. Services in McHenry will continue and, together, the two locations will offer increased access to patients.

“Our goal is to provide patients leading-edge cancer therapies in a compassionate, convenient setting. We are creating an environment where multidisciplinary teams can work together seamlessly to deliver personalized treatment plans, including the latest in radiation therapy,” said Geoffrey Martin, MD, medical director of radiation oncology at Huntley and McHenry Hospitals.

Advanced Care Close to Home

In addition to expanded oncology services, the outpatient center will house cardiac diagnostics, laboratory services for cancer patients and clinics for a variety of specialties, further enhancing access to outpatient care. The building is connected to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital by an enclosed walkway, creating seamless access for physicians, staff and patients.

The expansion supports approximately 300 new jobs over the next three years, including physicians, advanced practice providers and support staff, adding to the more than 1,330 employees and 300 board-certified physicians already working on the Huntley Hospital campus.

In the 10 years since the doors first opened in 2016, Huntley Hospital has served as an important economic engine in the region, attracting top healthcare talent while delivering world-class care. In August, Huntley, McHenry and Woodstock Hospitals combined ranked T-No. 11 in both Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area in the U.S. News “Best Hospitals” rankings.

“This expansion reflects Northwestern Medicine’s long-term investment in the health of the communities we serve,” Carlen said. “As demand for specialty care continues to grow, this facility positions us to meet patients’ needs today and well into the future.”

EVANSTON, Ill. – October, 16, 2026 – When Jessica Ciupka noticed soreness near her armpit that felt like the aftermath of a workout, she knew something was not right. While she lifts weights regularly, she had not performed chest exercises and the discomfort did not make sense. Within days, Ciupka saw her primary care physician, who found a lump in Jessica’s left breast and additional lumps near her lymph nodes.

A diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy at Northwestern Medicine Diagnostic Imaging Evanston led to a diagnosis of stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer. Ciupka, now 31, had no family history of breast cancer and genetic testing did not identify a breast cancer gene. The diagnosis interrupted her dreams for the future.

“Being 30 years old at the time when I found out, I had plans for my life. I had plans to buy a home with my boyfriend, to get married, to have children and that all had to be put on hold,” Ciupka said.

Why Breast Awareness Matters

Even though she was unsure what her symptom meant, Ciupka did everything right by not ignoring the soreness she felt. She sought care and continued asking questions until she received answers.

Breast health experts stress the importance of “breast awareness,” which means understanding how your breasts normally look and feel, then contacting a health care provider when something changes.

“We tell patients that everyone should know what’s normal for you. Then you can recognize when something is not normal. And that’s exactly what Jessica did. She found something that wasn’t normal for her and advocated for herself,” said Sonya Bhole, MD, a breast radiologist at Northwestern Medicine.

While breast cancer is most common in women over 50, Ciupka’s experience is also a reminder that breast cancer can affect younger women.

“It’s always hard when you see very young women with suspicious findings, but stories like Jessica’s are a good reminder for younger patients to not assume a concerning change can wait simply because they are not yet old enough for routine mammography,” Bhole said.

A Rise in Breast Cancer in Women Under 50

The American Cancer Society reported that breast cancer incidence rose 1.4% per year among women younger than 50 from 2012 to 2021, compared with 0.7% per year among women 50 and older.

“The steepest rise we’re seeing is in women under 50. We all want to know why, but it’s truly multi-factoral,” Bhole said. “We know there are many factors that go into breast cancer. Your family history, your reproductive history, your lifestyle, if you’re active, or alcohol use and smoking and physical activity.”

In addition to practicing breast awareness, doctors are urging women to get risk assessed for breast cancer by the age of 25.

What Is a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment?

A breast cancer risk assessment estimates a woman’s lifetime risk by considering information such as family history, breast density and reproductive history. The result can help patients and their health care providers decide when screening should begin and whether additional imaging may be appropriate.

“The American College of Radiology recommends all women get risk assessed by age 25. Now I want to clarify that doesn’t mean everyone needs a mammogram by 25 or everyone needs imaging by 25. Everyone needs to get risk assessed, which is a process you can go through online or with your healthcare provider,” Bhole said.

Bhole said the assessment, available online through Northwestern Medicine, is intended to personalize screening.

Jessica’s Plans for the Future

After her diagnosis, Ciupka’s treatment plan began with fertility preservation, including 12 days of injections and an egg retrieval procedure. She then underwent more than six months of chemotherapy at Northwestern Medicine Warrenvile Cancer Center, while also receiving immunotherapy as well.

Ciupka was scheduled for surgery in early October. Heidi Memmel, MD, a breast surgeon, performed a bilateral mastectomy at Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital.

“Jessica’s strength and positive attitude have been remarkable,” Dr. Memmel said. “She continued working throughout treatment, missing only her chemotherapy days, and has remained focused on living her life. Her resilience is truly inspiring.”

Ciupka chose to share her story in hopes that another person might recognize a change in their breasts and ask for help.

“Get checked, advocate for yourself and keep talking to your doctors because someone will listen,” Ciupka said. “At the same time, make sure you keep that positive outlook on your life.”

In addition to the online assessment, Northwestern Medicine offers breast cancer risk assessments and counseling through the Breast Risk Assessment and Prevention Program. Breast imaging and breast cancer screening services are available at more than 20 locations throughout Chicagoland, including downtown Chicago, the northern, western, northwest and southern suburbs.

For more information and to complete the online Breast Health Assessment, visit nm.org.

WINFIELD, Ill. — For many, a blood draw can be intimidating. For pediatric patients with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, including ADHD, Down syndrome, or previous medical trauma, it can be especially overwhelming.

At Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, phlebotomists and pediatric specialists work together to create a more supportive outpatient blood draw experience for neurodivergent children. Through individualized planning and evidence-based coping strategies, the team works to ease anxiety and make laboratory testing less stressful for patients and families.

For 7-year-old Frankie Edgar of Darien, that support made all the difference.

Frankie has a sensory processing and language disorder that can make it difficult for him to navigate new situations and communicate his needs. After years of watching his younger brother undergo treatment for serious health conditions, he had also developed a fear of hospitals and medical procedures.

When blood work was needed, his mother, Jessica Edgar, turned to the Child Life team at Central DuPage Hospital for support. Child Life specialists help children and families navigate a wide range of healthcare experiences, from routine lab visits to hospitalizations and complex medical treatments.

Recognizing the unique challenges blood draws can present for neurodivergent children, the Child Life team partnered with the hospital's phlebotomists to develop a blood draw support program. Through ongoing collaboration, the teams work together to make blood draws more comfortable and successful for young patients and their families.

Before the appointment, Child Life specialists spoke with Frankie's family to better understand his needs and develop a personalized plan for the visit.

During the appointment, Frankie was introduced to each step of the procedure before it happened. He was able to see and touch equipment, feel the tourniquet, examine components of the collection system and learn what sensations to expect. Throughout the experience, he was given choices and encouraged to participate in ways that felt comfortable to him.

“Before this visit, the idea of a blood draw felt overwhelming because Frankie needs time to process information and understand what is happening around him,” said Jessica. “Everyone took the time to meet him where he was, explain everything in a way he could understand. Watching him get through the blood draw calmly and confidently was incredible as a parent.”

Because blood draw support is tailored to each child's individual needs, the program is available by appointment only and begins with a screening call. During the call, specialists discuss available options and develop a coping plan for the patient.

“When a child comes in feeling anxious or uncertain, even a few minutes of preparation can completely change their experience,” said Naomi Serrano, a phlebotomist at Central DuPage Hospital. “Having these coping strategies and tools as part of their care plan helps us prepare for their unique needs and adapt our approach. It allows us to prepare them for what's ahead and creates a smoother experience for everyone involved, including the phlebotomy team.”

Jessica said the experience has already changed the way Frankie thinks about future healthcare visits.

“Now he understands what a blood draw is and what to expect,” Edgar said. “Instead of it being this scary unknown, he has a positive experience to build on for the future.”

“Child Life specialists play an essential role in helping children and families navigate healthcare experiences with greater confidence and less stress,” said Dora Castro-Ahillen, Child Life manager at Central DuPage Hospital. “Whether supporting a routine blood draw or helping families through complex medical journeys, these team members ensure care is personalized, compassionate and centered around the unique needs of every child.”

At Northwestern Medicine, Child Life services are available at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Central DuPage Hospital. At Central DuPage Hospital, these specialists also provide support in the pediatric intensive care unit, pediatric outpatient clinics, pediatric emergency department, and in radiology and surgery.

To schedule an appointment for outpatient blood draw support at Central DuPage Hospital, call 630-933-7529 and press 3. Appointments are available for patients age 17 and younger (or up to age 18 if still in high school).

For more information about Northwestern Medicine, visit nm.org.

###

DeKalb, Ill. – October 13, 2026 – Andrea Kerry never expected a routine heart scan to change her life, but the findings resulted in a lung cancer diagnosis —a shock to the 44-year-old personal trainer, mother of two and lifelong non-smoker. “I felt fine. I had zero symptoms. I would never have known without that calcium test,” Kerry said.

“Andrea’s cancer was found serendipitously, if you will,” said Andrew Arndt, MD, director of thoracic surgery with the Canning Thoracic Institute at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. “She got a cardiac calcium scoring CT that happened to pick this up. If she had not gotten that scan, she would not have qualified for other screening metrics. And there's no telling at what point this would have been diagnosed.”

A Personal Trainer’s Unexpected Diagnosis

Kerry underwent a cardiac CT scan last summer at the recommendation of Dhaval Thakkar, MD, a Northwestern Medicine internal medicine physician in Kerry’s hometown of Sycamore. While her heart looked healthy, the scan revealed a small, round nodule in her lung. Dr. Thakkar recommended a follow-up scan in six months.

In February, follow-up imaging showed the nodule had doubled in size. After a biopsy, Daniel Coomes, DO, a pulmonologist with the Canning Thoracic Institute at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital performed a robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, leading to a diagnosis of stage one lung cancer.

“What stands out about Andrea’s diagnosis is how subtle it was,” Dr. Coomes said. “She had no symptoms, and her heart scan was otherwise normal. The small lung nodule could easily have been overlooked, but timely follow-up allowed us to confirm the diagnosis early and move quickly with care.”

Lower Left Lobe Removal

Kerry was referred to Dr. Arndt for surgery. He recommended minimally invasive robotic surgery to remove the lower lobe of her left lung. “As a young, non-smoker, her lungs looked healthy and had very little scar tissue, which made minimally invasive surgery a great option,” Dr. Arndt said.

Two weeks after her diagnosis, Kerry underwent robotic surgery at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield. Pathology results from the lower left lobe removal showed Kerry’s cancer was even smaller than initially thought, measuring 1.7 centimeters and confirming an early-stage diagnosis and no need for additional treatment.

“Andrea has a lot of the favorable things to never have this come back,” Dr. Arndt said. “Early diagnosis shifts lung cancer from being one of the deadliest cancers to one we can often treat effectively and even cure.”

Encouraging Lung Screenings

Kerry, who also has Type 1 diabetes, chose to share her diagnosis with her family and friends, as well as on social media, to encourage others to take preventive health screenings seriously.

“I have been sharing all the lung screening tools that Northwestern Medicine is offering,” she said. “I have had multiple clients and family members signing up to get screened. If I can help even one person, that is worth it.”

Less than a month after surgery, Kerry is back exercising daily and has resumed her personal training business. “It makes me emotional because sometimes you take things for granted. You take your health for granted and then all of a sudden you’re sick and it really changes how you look at things,” Kerry said. “Thank goodness I prioritize my health.”

Patients interested in scheduling a screening with the Lung Health Center can call 312.695.1800 or email lunghealthcenter@nm.org.

“At OpenEvidence, our mission is to build tools that are clinically meaningful, rigorously validated, and seamlessly integrated into existing workflows,” said Ania Bilski, MD, Vice President Clinical AI at OpenEvidence. “Embedding OpenEvidence within Northwestern Medicine’s EHR delivers real-time, evidence-based insights without adding complexity.”

This enterprise-wide deployment marks the first phase of a broader collaboration focused on ensuring AI is used safely and effectively at the bedside. Beginning October 8, Northwestern Medicine clinicians can launch OpenEvidence directly from Epic, signed in automatically with their existing hospital credentials. For the first time, nurses, pharmacists and other clinical staff will also have access, giving the full care team a fast way to check medication dosing and drug interactions, review the latest guidelines, and get cited answers grounded in peer-reviewed literature, including content from the New England Journal of Medicine and the JAMA Network.

“When evaluating new technologies for our clinical teams, our top priority is that they address real clinical needs and it has the ability to be scaled effectively across the health system,” said James Adams, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Northwestern Medicine. “By making OpenEvidence available directly in the EHR, we’re giving clinicians a single, trusted source for evidence-based answers at the point of care. This collaboration reduces friction in clinical decision-making and allows our teams to stay focused on what matters most - caring for patients.”

“Northwestern Medicine is one of the great academic health systems in the country, and its decision to extend OpenEvidence to the entire care team reflects where modern hospitals are headed,” said Vivien Ho, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at OpenEvidence. “Northwestern Medicine’s collaborative approach made this deployment possible. We’re looking forward to collaborating with Northwestern to continue to build best-in-class clinical workflows for clinicians across care teams.”

Chicago – October 6, 2026 – More than 800,000 Americans undergo surgery to repair inguinal hernias each year, an abdominal wall condition that affects approximately one in four men during their lifetime. The condition occurs in the groin, when a portion of the intestine pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles, creating a bulge that can only be repaired surgically. While not every inguinal hernia requires repair, they can grow overtime, cutting off blood supply to the small intestine, which can lead to emergency complications. Men with inguinal hernias may now be eligible to enroll in a clinical trial at Northwestern Medicine that will study if estrogen-blocking medication could reverse these hernias without surgery. 

“I am always humbled by how much fear and anxiety patients feel around the surgical intervention despite the fact that we do this every day,” said Michael Rosen, MD, chief of gastrointestinal surgery and surgical director of Northwestern Medicine Digestive Health Institute. “Surgeons should always be searching for ways to cure what we treat with surgery with non-operative measures as long as it's safe and provides an effective means.” 

Phase one of the Reversing InGuinal Hernia Trial: The Evaluation of Sex Hormones to Reverse Inguinal Hernias in Males (RIGHT) trial at Northwestern Memorial Hospital is recruiting 30 men, age 50 and older, with symptomatic unilateral inguinal hernias, who have not previously had a hernia repair on that side. This phase seeks to establish whether estrogen-blocking medication can be given safely to older men and if it is feasible to measure changes in hernia size and symptoms. Dr. Rosen, who is leading the trial, says participants will be divided into two randomized treatment groups and given either Fulvestrant intramuscularly or Anastrozole (Arimidex) orally.  

“We will then assess safety and any efficacy at six months with the plan to expand into a much larger trial if we are able to prove that it is safe, and there are signals indicating a change in the hernia or its symptoms,” said Dr. Rosen, a professor of gastrointestinal surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of medicine. 

A collaboration sparked by a surprising discovery 

Dr. Rosen, who joined Northwestern Medicine in February 2025, credits the inspiration for this clinical trial to a discovery made by Serdar Bulun, MD, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Medicine, in a study published that same month. 

“To study the effects of estrogen excess on female breast tissue, Dr. Bulun’s team generated a mouse model that formed large amounts of estrogen in adipose and skeletal muscle tissue, when he serendipitously noticed the male breeder mice were forming inguinal hernias,” said Dr. Rosen. 

The study prompted Dr. Rosen to reach out to Dr. Bulun to explore whether the findings could be replicated in clinical trials involving humans. 

“Our findings strongly suggest that men would also respond to this medication as the male mice did, so if a subset of male patients are high risk for surgery, we can one day try to repair the hernias medically,” said Dr. Bulun, chair of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Feinberg. 

Potential to eliminate a field of surgery 

Individuals interested in enrolling in the study should visit ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT07604272 to review inclusion criteria.  

“When you really look at this trial, if this works, one of the most common operations I do, I will not be doing anymore,” said. Dr. Rosen. “If we can treat patients with non-operative measures, with medicine, it's absolutely best for the patients.” 

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is proud to be ranked No. 4 in the nation for gastroenterology and GI surgery by U.S. News & World Report, 2026 – 2027. For information on the Digestive Health Institute and other gastrointestinal clinical trials, visit nm.org/digestivehealth. To learn more about hernia repair treatment options at Northwestern Medicine, visit nm.org.

Chicago, Illinois – October 1, 2026 – Just months after getting married in 2014, Ranim Haddad suffered her first miscarriage. While she and her husband, Fuad, initially remained hopeful, they could never prepare themselves for what would come next – 11 years, 20 miscarriages, a still birth, and a baby who died just hours after being born.

But on October 1, 2025, Ranim and Fuad’s dreams of parenthood finally came true. With the help of maternal-fetal medicine specialists at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, a healthy baby boy named Emmanuel was born.

“We went through 11 years of nonstop heartbreak,” said 36-year-old Ranim. “I was basically pregnant twice a year and wanted to give up so many times. If you have the right support around you, it helps you to keep going and I’m so glad I did.”

Holding out hope

The couple from Alsip, Illinois, was able to conceive both naturally and through in vitro fertilization (IVF), but each one would end in loss. In 2020, just one day after hosting a gender reveal party with family and friends, Ranim’s water broke while she was 18 weeks pregnant. She gave birth at another health system but the baby girl she named Miracle did not survive.

“All of my husband’s siblings got married after us, and they all ended up with babies right away,” said Ranim. “I never felt comfortable. I knew something was wrong, but we just couldn't tell what it was.”

In 2024, Ranim switched her care to Northwestern Medicine and started seeing Susan Gerber, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. During a pregnancy that year, ultrasounds showed no amniotic fluid around the baby which meant no chance of survival outside of the womb. Ranim’s son, Samuel, was born without lungs, and after holding him in her arms, Ranim said goodbye to another baby.

Her luck would finally change in 2025, when she got pregnant again. She was monitored closely by Dr. Gerber’s team and fortunately, experienced no major complications during the pregnancy. After 11 years of waiting, Ranim and Faud’s story finally had a happy ending when Emmanuel was born.

“We evaluated Ranim exhaustively to determine the cause of her losses, and were ultimately unable to find one,” said Dr. Gerber. “We placed a stitch in her cervix during her last pregnancy which may have prevented preterm birth, but that likely has nothing to do with all her first trimester losses. Her success may just be due to her persistence and refusal to give up.”

Life as a new mom

Ranim is embracing life as a mom and rarely leaves Emmanuel’s side. In May 2026, Ranim and Emmanuel wore matching shirts with their photo and the words, “Our First Mother’s Day.”

As Ranim now prepares to celebrate Emmanuel’s first birthday, she’s sharing her story to inspire other women to never give up.

“When I was dealing with each loss, I felt isolated and didn’t want to talk about it with anyone,” said Ranim. “But now I realize, if I had sought support, or heard someone else’s story, it might have helped me. I want other women to know that they’re not alone.”

Common causes of pregnancy loss

About 20 percent of women in the United States now have their first child after age 35. Pregnancy loss happens in about one in four pregnancies, with women over 30 at a higher risk.

Most losses happen in the first trimester and about half are caused by problems with genes or chromosomes. Other factors include:

• Abnormal embryo development
• Existing conditions in the birth parent like high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid issues
• Problems in the uterus like scar tissue or fibroids
• Cervical insufficiency
• Infections
• Autoimmune diseases

The obstetrics and gynecology program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital is proud to be the highest-ranked in Illinois and among the top 5 in the U.S., per U.S. News & World Report, 2026 – 2027. For more information, visit nm.org.

• Academic Medical Center cohort: Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Large Specialized Complex Care Medical Center cohort
  • Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
  • Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital
• Complex Care Medical Center cohort:
  • Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital
  • Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital
• Community Hospital cohort: Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital
• Pediatric cohort: Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital

“This recognition reflects the dedication our physicians, nurses and staff hold in delivering exceptional care every day,” said Howard Chrisman, MD, president and chief executive officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “Being among the nation’s top-performing health systems demonstrates our continued focus on advancing medicine, strengthening outcomes and making high-quality care accessible close to home. Above all, this honor represents the confidence our patients place in Northwestern Medicine and the extraordinary care our teams provide across our health system.”

This year, 1,346 participating hospitals were segmented into seven cohorts for the Vizient Quality and Accountability Study. The study measures performance on the quality of patient care in six domains: safety, mortality, effectiveness, efficiency, patient centeredness and variation in care. The study factors in measures from the Vizient Clinical Data Base and includes performance data from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey and the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network.

Additionally, Northwestern Health Network Medical Group was one of only five medical groups in the country to be acknowledged for the Ambulatory Quality and Accountability Top Performer category, demonstrating excellence in delivering high-quality outpatient care.  

“Delivering consistently high-quality care requires organizations to align clinical expertise, operational discipline and a continuous focus on improvement,” said David Levine, MD, chief medical officer, Vizient. “The hospitals recognized this year demonstrate what is possible when that commitment is embedded across the organization, resulting in better performance and, most importantly, better care for patients.”

CHICAGO – September 23, 2026 - Traditional prostate cancer treatment often involves prostate removal or radiation, but those treatments can affect urinary and sexual function in men.

Northwestern Medicine urologists Ashley Ross, MD, PhD, and Perry Xu, MD, have developed a new and innovative way to treat prostate cancer and urinary symptoms, combining two techniques to target the cancer, improve a patient’s quality of life and avoid multiple surgeries and operating room visits.

Immediate Cryoablation and Enucleation for Prostate Cancer (ICE-CAP) combines two procedures into the same operation: cryoablation, which freezes and destroys the cancerous area of the prostate, and HoLEP, which removes obstructive prostate tissue, creates a wide-open urinary channel and provides long-term relief for patients with enlarged prostates.

“The idea for ICE-CAP emerged after we had a patient with no good standard treatments who needed both cancer control and relief from catheter-dependent urinary obstruction,” said Dr. Ross, who performs the cryoablation part of the procedure. “Cryoablation targets the tumor rather than removing the entire prostate and can preserve urinary and sexual function. The procedure, which not only preserves but can improve urinary function while treating prostate cancer currently reflects Northwestern Medicine’s expertise in both focal prostate cancer therapy and management of enlarged prostates.”

A new approach to treating prostate cancer and urinary symptoms

Doctors Ross and Xu developed the concept one year ago after discussing how to better serve patients who have both prostate cancer and bothersome urinary symptoms. Cryoablation has been increasingly used for focal prostate therapy.

“The ICE-CAP procedure offers an important option for patients who are not ideal candidates for surgery or radiation,” Dr. Ross said. “Very large prostates can be difficult to treat with radiation, especially in men who already have urinary symptoms. Older men are more likely to have significantly enlarged prostates. While surgery may still be an option for them, the risks of side effects can increase with age. For example, whereas only about 1% to 2% of men in their 50s may experience incontinence after surgery, that risk can be substantially higher for men in their early 70s.”

HoLEP, which stands for Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate, has been around since the 1990s.

“When the prostate enlarges, it can compress the urinary channel and create a plumbing problem,” said Dr. Xu, who performs the HoLEP part of the procedure. “With the HoLEP procedure, we can use the laser to open the prostate so that there is a channel that you can urinate through unobstructed."

Dr. Xu said that this issue of prostatic enlargement can affect many aspects of urination, including nighttime urination and urinary urgency and frequency.

“A lot of folks accept waking up at night as part of their routine, but in reality, there's an option to help improve it with techniques such as the HoLEP procedure which can be done as part of the ICE-CAP procedure,” Dr. Xu said.

Raising awareness

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about a disease that will affect 1 in 8 men in their lifetime.

“At Northwestern Medicine, we are developing innovative strategies aimed at reducing the side effects of prostate cancer treatment,” Dr. Ross said. “Our goal is not only to help men live longer and remain cancer-free, but also to help them avoid many of the urinary and sexual side effects traditionally associated with treatment.”

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is proud to be ranked No. 7 in the nation for urology by U.S. News & World Report, 2026-27. For information on Northwestern Medicine urology, visit nm.org.

Since opening in 2025, the center has helped address longstanding barriers to healthcare access by bringing primary, specialty and preventive care services directly into the Bronzeville community, reducing the need for residents to travel outside the neighborhood for many healthcare needs. In its first year, the center exceeded patient volume projections, accounting for almost 83,000 completed patient appointments and creating more than 110 new jobs in the community.

“The success of the Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center has exceeded even our most optimistic expectations,” said Kimbra Bell, MD, medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center. “In just one year, we have welcomed tens of thousands of patients, expanded access to specialty care and built meaningful partnerships throughout the community. This milestone reflects more than numbers. It reflects lives touched, healthier outcomes and a shared commitment to ensuring that residents of Bronzeville and surrounding neighborhoods can receive the highest quality care without leaving their community. We are honored to be part of that journey.”

Clinical and community offerings at the Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center include:

• Primary and specialty care
• Immediate care
• Cancer center with chemotherapy and infusion services
• Imaging and diagnostic services (MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, DEXA and mammography)
• Mental health services
• Pediatrics
• Cardiology
• Women’s Health
• Dermatology
• Physical Therapy
• Pulmonology
• Gastroenterology
• Ophthalmology
• Multipurpose and event spaces for community gatherings and educational workshops
• A teaching kitchen and room for fitness classes

Local Bronzeville resident and Northwestern Medicine patient Lisa Pope has enjoyed the convenience of living several blocks from the facility. “Having my trusted physician so close to my home has been wonderful,” said Pope. “While I was willing to travel long distances to receive care, knowing I no longer have to rearrange my entire day for an appointment has made a tremendous difference. The facility is beautiful, welcoming and convenient, and it has become a valuable asset to our community.”

During its first year, the Bronzeville Community Center hosted more than 30 programs attended by more than 900 participants, including sickle cell initiative blood drives, food as medicine and healthy cooking classes, yoga and diabetes prevention courses. In addition, it offered four local Phillips High School students (who had an interest in a pathway into healthcare) paid summer internships, where they learned how to take blood pressure readings, see how injections are given and reviewed how to read vital signs.

“Access to quality health care and healthy living resources should never depend on how far someone can travel,” said 4^th Ward Alderman Lamont Robinson. “Thanks to Northwestern Medicine’s investment in Bronzeville, residents can now receive care, wellness support and access to nutritious food right in their own community. The positive impact has been evident in its first year, and I am excited to see how this resource continues to strengthen the health and well-being of our neighborhood.”

To learn more about the Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center, including community impact, community programming and the full floor-by-floor facility plan, please go to bronzeville.nm.org.

# # #

Wheaton, Illinois – August 28, 2026 – For many people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), rising body temperatures can trigger or worsen symptoms, making everyday activities, including spending time outdoors, playing with children or exercising, more difficult. At Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, patients in the hospital's neuromuscular rehabilitation program are finding relief through the use of cooling vests, an innovative tool designed to help lower core body temperature and improve function.

An estimated 60% to 80% of people with MS are sensitive to heat, which can lead to symptoms such as difficulty walking, cognitive challenges and blurred vision. Research, primarily done in outpatient and community settings, has found that a cooling vest designed to keep the core temperature within safe levels can combat thermosensitivity, a condition of being affected by heat or shifts in temperature, and alleviate some of these symptoms.

Marianjoy clinicians wanted to study the impact of cooling vests in an inpatient rehabilitation setting, an area where limited research has been conducted to date. The Marianjoy Cooling Vest Program was created to assess if torso cooling could improve walking capacity and facilitate fatigue management for thermosensitive patients with MS.

Findings from Marianjoy's study, which is in the process of being published, are encouraging. Therapists observed that patients, after wearing a cooling vest for approximately 30 minutes, experienced an increase in walking distance by 97% and walking speed by 17%.

About 58% of the MS patients studied reported visual impairments such as double vision or blurred vision. After using the cooling vest for 30 minutes, 100% of those patients with visual impairments improved in visual acuity. The findings indicate that torso cooling can lead to improvement in quality of life for MS patients with thermosensitivity.

"Heat can have a significant impact on people with multiple sclerosis, affecting their mobility, vision and overall ability to participate in daily activities," said Elizabeth Foss, MS, OTR/L, FAS, lead therapist in Marianjoy's neuromuscular rehabilitation program. "Cooling vests are giving patients another tool to help manage symptoms, increase endurance and engage more fully in the activities that matter most to them."

Cait Elwart’s Cooling Vest Experience

One patient who has experienced the benefits firsthand is Cait Elwart, a 34-year-old Yorkville resident, athletic trainer and mother of two who was diagnosed with MS in 2022. Following a severe relapse earlier this year that left her unable to walk independently, Elwart completed inpatient rehabilitation at Marianjoy, where she was introduced to cooling vest therapy.

During rehabilitation, therapists had Elwart wear a cooling vest before completing mobility and endurance tests. "After wearing the vest, I did significantly better," said Elwart. "It helps you do more and feel better and you don't get the same slam of symptoms. With MS, you can hit a wall and feel like you can't do any more activity."

Since returning home, Elwart has incorporated a cooling vest into her daily life, using it during outdoor activities, including riding her beloved horse named Scotch. She also recently used a cooling vest to participate in activities with her two children, ages four and seven, while on a family vacation in Michigan.

"I really don't feel like I could participate in vacation without it," Elwart said. “It allowed me to do more and enjoy time with my family without feeling overwhelmed by my symptoms.”

In addition to introducing patients to cooling technology, Marianjoy therapists help connect eligible individuals with resources that may provide cooling vests at little or no cost. The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), for example, offers cooling equipment assistance programs for qualifying patients.

As Marianjoy continues its research, clinicians hope to further demonstrate how cooling vests can support rehabilitation outcomes and improve quality of life for people living with MS.

About Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital

Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital is the only acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital in DuPage County and is nationally recognized for its comprehensive rehabilitation services.

Earlier this month, Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital ranked No. 2 in Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area and is nationally ranked in Rehabilitation at No. 40 in the U.S. News “Best Hospitals” rankings.

Chicago, IL – August 12, 2026 – In a new study published today in Science Advances, Northwestern Medicine researchers have uncovered a previously hidden immune environment in the thymus that may help drive myasthenia gravis (MG), a chronic autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness and fatigue, mainly impacting women under age 40 and men over age 60. Using the largest known cellular and spatial map of the MG thymus ever assembled, researchers identified specialized immune cells and survival signals that may help sustain the disease, opening new avenues for future research and treatment.

Myasthenia gravis occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the communication point between nerves and muscles. The symptoms worsen with activity and improve with rest. Most often, the disease affects the muscles that control the eyes, facial expressions, talking, swallowing and chewing. In severe cases, breathing muscles can become dangerously weak.

While researchers have long known that harmful antibodies play a major role in MG, they do not fully explain why symptoms vary among patients or why some people continue to experience disease activity despite treatment, including the surgical removal of the thymus called a thymectomy.

“During childhood, the purpose of the thymus is to train the body’s immune cells, but in adulthood, the thymus shrivels up and starts to malfunction, which can lead to myasthenia gravis,” said Ankit Bharat, MD, senior author of the study, chief of thoracic surgery and executive director of the Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute. "Our study suggests there's more to myasthenia gravis than antibodies alone. We found evidence that the thymus may create an abnormal immune environment that helps certain B cells survive and persist, even after the thymus is removed. Understanding that environment gives us an entirely new framework for studying and possibly treating the disease."

What this means for patients

For patients like 30-year-old Marissa Humayun of Chicago, the latest research gives her hope, especially after three years of ups and downs.

In early 2023, at the age of 26, Humayun went to the emergency department with stroke-like symptoms that came out of nowhere, including a droopy eyelid and double vision. When bloodwork came back negative for the main MG antibodies, Neena Cherayil, MD, a neuro-ophthalmologist at Northwestern Medicine, diagnosed Humayun with ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) and seronegative myasthenia, a rare form of MG, where three of the known antibodies for MG don’t show up in standard blood tests, but patients still present symptoms.

Three months after her diagnosis, Humayun underwent robotic surgery with Dr. Bharat to have her thymus removed and donated the small gland to his research study. Even though the thymectomy was a success, Humayun’s symptoms returned, which can happen in some patients. Humayun now relies on infusion therapy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital to help control her symptoms and is treated by Arjun Seth, MD, a neuromuscular medicine specialist at Northwestern Medicine.

“When symptomatic, I have droopy eyelids, fatigue and double vision – especially if I’ve pushed myself too hard or didn’t rest enough. Myasthenia gravis is such a discouraging disease, but I must honor my body for what it can do today,” said Humayun. “Dr. Bharat is an inspiring surgeon and researcher, and Northwestern Medicine has truly taken care of me throughout my diagnosis and treatment. I’m optimistic for the future, knowing scientists right here in Chicago are working to find solutions for patients in the myasthenia gravis community.”

“Our hope is that we can now identify patients – like Marissa – who are at risk of having a recurrence after the thymectomy and after treatment,” said Dr. Bharat. “Also, this study gives us clues as to why some patients don’t respond to the conventional medical treatments. What we’re hoping to do is identify those patients who are at risk and then ultimately design clinical interventions that can kill those cells and then prevent the recurrences.”

A surprising discovery

To better understand what happens inside the thymus, Northwestern Medicine researchers analyzed 23 thymus samples from 16 patients and combined several advanced technologies, including single-cell RNA sequencing, immune receptor analysis and spatial transcriptomics. Together, these techniques allowed scientists to identify individual cell types and determine where those cells were located within the tissue.

After integrating their data with previously published datasets, the team created an atlas containing nearly 347,000 cells, making it the most comprehensive map of the MG thymus to date. Researchers expected to find evidence of a single rogue immune-cell population driving disease, but instead, they found something very different.

The study revealed a diverse population of class-switched B cells clustered within and around abnormal germinal centers in MG tissue. Rather than showing signs of traditional immune regulation, these cells appeared to rely on a separate survival pathway involving molecules known as BAFF and BCMA.

The researchers describe the finding as a potential "tolerance checkpoint swap" in which B cells move away from normal immune-control mechanisms and become supported by survival signals from the surrounding tissue environment.

"We did not find one dominant B-cell clone taking over," said Dr. Bharat. "Instead, we found a diverse population of B cells living within an abnormal immune neighborhood. The neighborhood itself may be helping these cells survive."

What happens next?

The findings may help explain several longstanding mysteries surrounding myasthenia gravis, including why antibody levels do not always match disease severity and why improvement after thymus-removal surgery can vary from patient to patient. However, the researchers caution that the current study did not directly test those questions.

“This study is not a treatment announcement and does not change current recommendations for patients with myasthenia gravis,” said Dr. Bharat. “Thymectomy remains an evidence-based treatment for appropriately selected patients, and additional research will be required to determine whether the newly identified pathways play a direct role in disease progression.”

Instead, the work provides a detailed roadmap for future investigation.

"This study gives us a map," said Dr. Bharat. "The next step is to determine whether these pathways actively drive disease and whether they can be targeted to restore immune tolerance. That's the promise of this research."

The pulmonology and lung surgery program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital is proud to be the highest-ranked in Illinois for 15 straight years and No. 4 in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report, 2026 – 2027. For more information, visit nm.org.

HUNTLEY, Illinois – August 11, 2026 – Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital celebrated its 10-year anniversary by welcoming back the family whose unplanned arrival became part of the hospital's history on its very first day.

Heather and Shane Doty, along with their daughter, Gianna, attended the celebration held for hospital staff on Monday, marking a decade since the hospital opened as Centegra Hospital-Huntley on August 9, 2016.

As hospital employees gathered outside for a commemorative photo before the facility opened, the Dotys drove up with Heather in labor. Just two minutes after the hospital officially opened its doors, Gianna was born, becoming the hospital's first patient and first baby.

Ten years later, the family returned to celebrate the milestone with hospital leaders, physicians and staff members at a party on Monday. Watching staff members join together to sing “Happy Birthday to You” to Gianna brought Heather tears.

"Emotional, it feels really emotional. We’re just so grateful," Heather Doty said. "When we pulled up that morning, we never imagined we would become part of the hospital's history.”

The anniversary celebration brought together team members, physicians, volunteers and hospital leadership to reflect on the hospital's first decade and look ahead to the future.

“This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate not only the hospital’s first decade, but also the remarkable growth of the Huntley community we are privileged to serve,” said Matt Carlen, president of Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital. “For 10 years, we have grown and evolved alongside our community, expanding access to care and adapting to meet the region’s changing healthcare needs. Becoming part of Northwestern Medicine in 2018 strengthened our ability to bring nationally recognized expertise, advanced technology and specialized care closer to home.”

As Huntley and the surrounding communities have grown, the hospital has served as an important economic driver in the region attracting top healthcare talent and creating jobs. The Huntley Hospital campus is home to more than 1,330 employees and 300 board-certified physicians.

“We are especially proud that Huntley Hospital has become both a trusted healthcare resource and a premier destination for physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals,” continued Carlen. “Many of our team members live in Huntley and neighboring communities, making it an honor to care for our friends, families and neighbors every day. We look forward to continuing to support the health and well-being of this community for generations to come.”

In August 2016, the hospital opened as Centegra Hospital-Huntley, bringing a five-story, 380,000-square-foot hospital to the area. In 2018, the hospital joined Northwestern Medicine, along with McHenry and Woodstock Hospitals.

Since then, Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital has expanded services and provided care to patients throughout McHenry County and the surrounding region. Earlier this month, Huntley, McHenry and Woodstock Hospitals combined ranked T-No. 11 in both Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area in the U.S. News “Best Hospitals” rankings.

Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital continues to grow, with the opening of a third Medical Office Building (MOB) on campus slated for October 2026. The opening of MOB 3 will significantly expand existing services, including the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, oncology and infusion services, general surgery and urology, while introducing several new specialties to the Huntley campus including gastroenterology, radiation and surgical oncology and palliative care. The project brings 300 new jobs, including physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and support staff roles.

Palos Heights, Illinois — August 10, 2026 — After a rare and aggressive cancer returned more than a decade after her original diagnosis, Regina Henneman is back in remission thanks to a personalized treatment approach at the Northwestern Medicine St. George Cancer Institute in Orland Park that combined immunotherapy, radiation therapy and multidisciplinary expertise.

“Regina's journey is remarkable not only because of how rare her cancer is, but because of her resilience throughout years of treatment and surveillance,” said Yazan Numan, MD, a medical oncologist at the Northwestern Medicine St. George Cancer Institute who cares for Henneman.

When Henneman, 83, first noticed bruising near her temple in 2009, she had no idea it would mark the beginning of a 15-year battle with one of the rarest cancers in the world.

At the time of diagnosis, Henneman was working as a registered nurse at a hospital in one of Chicago’s south suburbs. What was initially believed to be a hematoma turned out to be angiosarcoma, a rare cancer that develops in the lining of blood vessels.

“As a registered nurse, I had never heard of angiosarcoma before,” Henneman said. “I went into the office full of nurses and no one had heard of it. I went to the medical library and looked it up.”

Understanding Angiosarcoma

Sarcoma is an exceptionally rare type of cancer, originating in the body’s soft tissues, including bone, muscle, fat and nerves. Sarcomas account for less than one percent of all new cancer diagnoses in adults each year.

Angiosarcoma, which is one type of sarcoma, develops in the cells linking blood vessels and lymph vessels. Angiosarcoma is even more rare, with only one person per million being diagnosed with the disease in the U.S. each year. The disease is so uncommon that many healthcare professionals will never encounter a case during their careers.

“Proper diagnosis and treatment of angiosarcoma can be especially challenging,” Dr. Numan said. “At a comprehensive cancer center, patients have access to specialists who understand the nuances of this rare disease, along with advanced diagnostic tools, innovative treatment options and clinical research opportunities that may not be available elsewhere. For patients facing an uncommon cancer, that level of specialized care can be invaluable.”

The disease often requires care from a multidisciplinary team that may include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists and radiologists. Long-term surveillance is also critical because recurrence can occur years after initial treatment.

Over the next several years, Henneman underwent six surgeries, radiation therapy, as well as chemotherapy infusions at multiple institutions, as physicians worked to control the disease.

“I had multiple Taxol, also known as paclitaxel, infusions which were physically debilitating, but it saved me because I had no active cancer until 2025,” Henneman said.

Northwestern Medicine Takes on a Dangerous Recurrence

After moving to Mokena several years ago, Henneman established care with Dr. Numan at Northwestern Medicine St. George Cancer Institute in Orland Park following a recommendation from her primary care physician.

For years, surveillance scans showed no evidence of disease. In 2025, she developed a recurrence in her right lung after several episodes of coughing up blood. Due to Henneman experiencing significant complications from chemotherapy in the past, her care team explored immunotherapy treatments.

"Historically, treatment options for angiosarcoma have been limited, particularly for patients who may not tolerate chemotherapy well,” Dr. Numan said. “Emerging research suggests that immunotherapy may benefit some patients with this disease, and Regina's case demonstrates the potential of this approach.”

Northwestern Medicine physicians collaborated across specialties to evaluate the treatment approach and worked with her insurance provider to secure approval. Henneman began treatment with pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda, along with radiation therapy in 2025.

“Keytruda is so much better than the chemotherapy,” Henneman said. “I had zero side effects.” Today, her scans show no evidence of disease, and she continues receiving immunotherapy while remaining under close surveillance.

“Every patient's situation is unique, and optimal care depends on collaboration,” Dr. Numan said. “By bringing together experts from multiple disciplines, we can evaluate every available option and develop a coordinated treatment plan tailored to each patient's needs. Regina's outcome reflects the value of that team-based approach.”

Now back to living an active life and spending time with her family, Henneman hopes her story offers encouragement to others facing a rare cancer diagnosis.

“I would like to help anyone through this because many patients are told angiosarcoma is deadly and it doesn’t have to be,” Henneman said. “If I can help one person in the world, I want to do this.”

Chicago, IL – For the 15^th consecutive year, Northwestern Memorial Hospital has once again been recognized among the nation's elite hospitals, retaining its prestigious Honor Roll designation in the 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Northwestern Memorial Hospital remained nationally ranked in 10 specialties, with all 10 ranked among the nation's top 10 programs.

"These results reflect the extraordinary dedication of our physicians, nurses and team members who work every day to deliver exceptional care for our patients and communities," said Howard Chrisman, MD, president and chief executive officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. "To be recognized among the nation's very best hospitals, while seeing meaningful improvements across so many clinical specialties, speaks to our unwavering commitment to advancing medicine, improving outcomes and providing the highest quality care close to home. Most importantly, these rankings reflect the trust our patients place in us and the outstanding care they receive throughout Northwestern Medicine."

Northwestern Memorial Hospital once again achieved regional No. 1 (tie) rankings in Illinois and Chicago metropolitan area. New this year, additional regional specialty rankings were awarded for Cancer; Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery; and Orthopaedics. Northwestern Memorial achieved No. 1 in Illinois and Chicago metropolitan area for all three specialties.

Northwestern Memorial’s nationally ranked programs include:

• Cancer (No. 8); Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery (No. 7); Diabetes & Endocrinology (No. 5); Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (No. 4); Geriatrics (No. 4); Neurology & Neurosurgery (No. 2); Obstetrics & Gynecology (No. 5); Orthopaedics (No. 7); Pulmonology & Lung Surgery (No. 4); and Urology (No. 7).

The rankings also highlight strong performance across Northwestern Medicine's regional hospitals:

· Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital is No. 6 in Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area and earned a national ranking in Obstetrics & Gynecology (T-No. 48), is designated “High Performing” in Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery, Diabetes & Endocrinology, and Orthopaedics. The hospital achieved a new regional specialty recognition in Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery (No. 5) and Orthopaedics (No. 6). The hospital achieved “High Performing” in 16 eligible Procedures & Conditions.

· Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital moved up to No. 7 in Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area and earned national rankings in 5 specialties (Diabetes & Endocrinology No. 29; Gastroenterology & GI Surgery No. 40; Geriatrics No.46; Neurology & Neurosurgery T- No.45; and Orthopaedics T-No. 34), is designated as “High Performing” in Pulmonology & Lung Surgery, and is regionally ranked No. 3 in Orthopaedics. The hospital achieved “High Performing” in 11 eligible Procedures & Conditions.

· Northwestern Medicine McHenry, Huntley and Woodstock Hospitals combined ranked T-No. 11 in both Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area and designated as “High Performing” in 1 specialty (Orthopaedics), and No. 9 in Illinois and Chicago metropolitan area for a regional ranking in Orthopaedics. McHenry, Huntley and Woodstock Hospitals achieved “High Performing” in 11 Procedures & Conditions.

· Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital ranked T-No.13 in Illinois and T-No.13 in the Chicago metropolitan area and achieved “High Performing” in 10 Procedures & Conditions.

· Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital ranked T-No. 13 in Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area with 1 specialty ranked as “High Performing” (Diabetes & Endocrinology). Delnor achieved “High Performing” in 8 eligible Procedures & Conditions.

· Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital achieved “High Performing” in 2 Procedures & Conditions.

· Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital ranked #2 in Illinois and Chicago metropolitan area and nationally ranked in Rehabilitation at No. 40.

For more information, please go to Best Hospitals | U.S. News Hospital Rankings and Ratings.

CHICAGO, IL - July 23, 2026 – For Preeyanuch Chanwongwanit, a busy mom of four from New Berlin, Wisconsin, life came to a screeching halt in 2019 when she was diagnosed with renal failure. After school activities with her children were quickly replaced by a demanding dialysis schedule, as the family awaited a life-saving kidney transplant. But when two transplant surgeries at another health system failed, the 46-year-old was faced with yet another daunting diagnosis – an allergy to general anesthesia.

“This is one of the most bizarre stories I’ve ever heard,” said Vinayak Rohan, MD, a transplant surgeon at Northwestern Medicine. “This patient had two previous attempts at kidney transplantation at another health system but went into cardiac arrest on the table before the surgeries could even start.”

The discovery of Chanwongwanit’s allergy by her care team in Wisconsin meant a third attempt at a kidney transplant would be complicated, as she could not undergo general anesthesia. Out of options, her care team reached out to Northwestern Medicine’s AWAKE Program (Accelerated Surgery Without General Anesthesia in Kidney Transplantation), which offers select patients a chance to remain awake through their kidney transplant.

Instead of using general anesthesia, a spinal anesthesia shot is given to the patient, similar to what’s used during a cesarean section for childbirth. It involves injecting a local anesthetic into spinal fluid and numbing the lower half of the body while allowing the patient to remain conscious.

“The AWAKE Program was built for patients like Preeyanuch. When her medical team in Wisconsin called us, they said, ‘we know Northwestern Medicine is the only place that can help her,’” said Satish Nadig, MD, PhD, transplant surgeon and director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center. “To date, we’ve performed 25 kidney transplant procedures where the patient is fully awake, and Preeyanuch is our first patient from Wisconsin. The AWAKE Program represents our commitment to continuously reimagine what is possible in transplant care. We’re incredibly proud to offer this innovation and deeply grateful for the opportunity to help patients like Preeyanuch.”

Redefining what is possible for patient care

After her two unsuccessful transplant attempts at another health system, Chanwongwanit was running low on hope. But after meeting Dr. Rohan and his team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chanwongwanit’s husband, Arthur Lee, said everything changed.

“Dr. Rohan explained to us how the surgery would work, and we immediately felt more comfortable knowing general anesthesia wasn’t part of the plan,” said Lee. “As a husband and father, you want to see your loved one happy and healthy, and the AWAKE Program gave us confidence from day one. What could have been another stressful experience turned into one filled with reassurance.”

On May 25, Chanwongwanit received a kidney from a deceased donor at Northwestern Memorial, and despite giving birth to four children, Chanwongwanit had her first experience with an epidural.

“All four of my deliveries were natural births, so this was my first time having an epidural,” said Chanwongwanit. “I was completely alert on the operating room table, went through the transplant without any complications, didn’t experience any pain, and went home 36 hours after surgery. I felt supported by my care team every step of the way and would highly recommend the AWAKE Program to other patients.”

“At Northwestern Medicine, we’re always looking for new ways to make transplantation safer, more accessible and less burdensome for patients. Through our AWAKE Program, we’re helping people experience a smoother recovery while delivering the same world-class transplant care,” said Dr. Rohan. “Our team is honored to be part of these extraordinary journeys and to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes as they begin a new chapter in their lives.”

Back to being mom

Two months after the transplant, Chanwongwanit’s new kidney is functioning as it should, allowing her to get back to the things that matter most. The children’s music and sport schedules have begun to replace dialysis, allowing the family to finally begin their long-awaited fresh start.

“Instead of living life from the sidelines, I can now be there for my four children every day – celebrating milestones and making memories. I also miss my parents who live in Thailand, so I’d love to visit them soon,” said Chanwongwanit. “I’m so grateful to my organ donor and the incredible team at Northwestern Medicine for giving me a second chance at life. With my new kidney, anything is possible.”

About the AWAKE Program

Northwestern Medicine surgeons performed the first AWAKE kidney transplant in June 2024, and to date, 25 patients have received kidney transplants without general anesthesia.

The program is designed to give patients who are not candidates for general anesthesia an alternative for undergoing the surgical procedure, while also decreasing the length of their hospital stay (one day compared to 4-7 days with general anesthesia).

For more information on the AWAKE Program at Northwestern Medicine, visit nm.org.

While past studies have found that women are more frequently affected by long COVID than men, the new study published today in the Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology showed for the first time that women report more neurologic symptoms of long COVID and experience worse impacts on quality of life and cognitive function than men. 

“We were surprised to see such a significant difference between female and male patients,” said Igor Koralnik, MD, chief of neuroinfectious disease and global neurology at Northwestern Medicine. “Both in the frequency of neurologic long COVID symptoms and in levels of self-reported fatigue, as well as in a cognitive task of attention.”

Study highlights

• The study looked at the first consecutive 2,329 patients who have been seen at the Northwestern Medicine Neuro COVID-19 Clinic.
• Approximately 2/3 of patients were women.
• Women more frequently reported neurologic symptoms such as brain fog, dizziness, headache, numbness and tingling and pain.
• No neurologic symptoms were more common in men.
• Women also reported more non-neurologic symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, dysautonomia and gastrointestinal issues.
• Women also reported worse alteration of their quality of life caused by fatigue than men on standardized questionnaires.
• Women scored lower than men in a task of attention on objective cognitive tests.

“We think that the reason women are more frequently and severely affected by long COVID than men is because long COVID is an autoimmune disease, and women are more prone to autoimmune diseases than men, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis,” Dr. Koralnik said. “We and others have found evidence of immune dysregulation and autoimmunity in patients with long COVID. We next want to understand the underlying causes for the neurologic symptoms of long COVID and identify and validate biological markers that show how active the disease is. We hope our study will alert providers about the importance of timely diagnosis and targeted interventions in female patients, who are often negatively affected by gender bias in medicine.

“A Household Pulse Survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics estimated that nearly 18 percent of U.S. adults had experienced long COVID and that five percent were experiencing it as of September 2024. It is safe to estimate that long COVID still affects millions of adults in the United States currently,” said Dr. Koralnik. 

To date, the Neuro COVID-19 Clinic has treated more than 3,300 patients with long COVID from 44 states. While severe cases of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization have become rare, Dr. Koralnik says COVID-19 continues to occur and the risk of developing long COVID increases with repeat occurrences of COVID-19.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is ranked No. 6 in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report, 2025-2026. For more information, visit nm.org and to schedule an appointment with the Neuro COVID-19 Clinic, call 312.695.7950.