Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital Celebrates 10 Years, Welcomes First Patient Family Back

Heather and baby Gianna cropped

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.

Doty family with Joan Stout, MSN, RN

"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.”

Staff at Huntley 10-year celebration

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.

Staff celebrating at anniversary event

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.