CHICAGO - Northwestern Medicine today announced the launch of the Northwestern Medicine Robert Havey, MD, Institute for Primary Care, a transformative new institute dedicated to advancing primary care delivery, education and innovation across the health system. The institute is made possible through a generous anonymous philanthropic gift in honor of Robert J. Havey, MD, a longtime Northwestern Medicine primary care physician, educator and leader.

This extraordinary contribution represents one of the most substantial philanthropic gifts in Northwestern Medicine’s history and among the most significant ever made in support of advancing the vital practice of primary care.

The Robert Havey, MD, Institute for Primary Care builds on Northwestern Medicine’s sustained commitment to expanding and strengthening primary care and will serve as a catalyst to develop a nationally recognized, integrated primary care model that sets new global standards for patient care.

“This is a transformational gift that will have a lasting impact on our health system and, most importantly, on the patients and communities we serve,” said Howard Chrisman, MD, president and chief executive officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “Primary care is the foundation of better health. It is where relationships begin, prevention takes root and care is coordinated across every stage of life. The Robert Havey, MD, Institute for Primary Care will enable NM to accelerate strengthening primary care as the front door to Northwestern Medicine while expanding access, supporting our clinicians and enabling more proactive, connected care.”

The institute will be focused on optimizing the patient experience through individualized care, advanced technologies and innovative delivery models while fostering a dynamic clinical workforce and advancing the global conversation on the impact of primary care on health outcomes.

Northwestern Medicine will further expand access to high-quality primary care and develop innovative, team-based care models that integrate physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists and support staff. Efforts will include:

• Enhancing connectivity so patients can more easily access care
• Expanding support for patients with complex health needs
• Recruiting top primary care clinicians to broaden reach and clinical excellence

The institute will launch a leading-edge professional development curriculum aimed at equipping current physicians with the latest knowledge and innovations while helping train the next generation of primary care clinicians.

Northwestern Medicine will lead the adoption of advanced technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to improve patient engagement, streamline clinical documentation and enhance care delivery.

The institute builds on more than a decade of investment in primary care across Northwestern Medicine, including innovations in proactive care, care coordination and advanced care planning. Today, Northwestern Medicine operates more than 70 primary care locations. These capabilities provide a strong foundation for continued growth and innovation.

Honoring the Legacy of Robert Havey, MD

Robert J. Havey, MD, has dedicated his career to primary care at Northwestern Medicine, serving as a trusted physician, educator and advocate for patients. He is a clinical professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and vice president of operations for Northwestern Medical Group and has long been committed to advancing primary care both locally and globally.

“While it is an honor to have this institute named after me and to have patients express their gratitude by investing in the future of Northwestern Medicine, the work of this institute is bigger than any one person,” said Robert Havey, MD. “I hope this honor will inspire other primary care physicians to understand their vital role in the healthcare system and the lives of each of their patients.”

CHICAGO, IL – February 11, 2026 – Chicago philanthropist Neil G. Bluhm and the Bluhm Family Foundation are underscoring their commitment to life-saving heart care with a $50 million gift to the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute (BCVI). The gift builds on two decades of generosity from Bluhm, bringing his total gifts to BCVI to $135 million. The additional funds will expand access to cardiac care and bolster what is consistently ranked among the top 10 heart programs in the nation and among the top 20 cardiac surgery centers in the world. 

“My main goal has always been to ensure that anyone who needs world-class heart care can get it,” said Bluhm. “We made this possible 20 years ago in downtown Chicago and built on that when we expanded care into the suburbs. It has been one of my greatest honors to watch this program touch so many lives and I’m humbled to continue supporting this mission.”

World-class care for all

Since Bluhm’s initial gift to establish BCVI in 2005, the institute has treated hundreds of thousands of patients and saved countless lives across Chicago and beyond. Subsequent contributions helped advance health equity by extending top-tier care throughout the region, closer to where people live and work. Bluhm’s generosity has supported research, recruited physicians, and established programs like the Center for Artificial Intelligence and the Bluhm Heart Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

This latest $50 million gift will support the following initiatives:

• Further expand access to heart care by bringing new technologies and innovative therapies to Northwestern Medicine’s nine-hospital health network
• Increase the footprint of Bluhm Heart Hospital with more procedural space
• Support new research and clinical trials
• Develop breakthrough innovations for leading-edge advances in cardiovascular medicine
• Support fellowships to train the next generation of physician talent
• Recruit world-class physician leaders

“Generous contributions from the Bluhm Family have continuously fueled our commitment to saving lives and putting patients first,” said Howard Chrisman, MD, president and chief executive officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “By investing in the future of cardiac medicine, BCVI will continue to stand as a beacon of hope for patients all over the world and for generations to come.”

Building on better medicine

Because of Bluhm’s philanthropy, BCVI has sustained explosive growth since its inception. The institute went from treating 1,000 patients in its inaugural year to more than 48,000 new patients in 2025. Today, the institute spans 18 locations throughout the greater Chicago area and employs 2,400 clinicians. A team of more than 186 specialized cardiologists, cardiac and vascular surgeons take on some of the toughest cases that other health systems are forced to turn away. To date, BCVI has achieved milestones such as:

• Ranked among the top 10 cardiology, heart and vascular programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for the last 10 years
• Among the top 20 hospitals in the world for cardiac surgery as ranked by Newsweek
• Seventh ranked patient-preferred hospital in the nation for heart care
• Among the top 15 hospitals in the nation for heart attack survival
• 900% cardiac surgery growth since 2005
• 96% patient satisfaction
• Treated patients from at least 40 countries and all 50 states
• 3,100 cardiac and vascular manuscripts published over the last three years
• $100 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health since 2020

“As we conclude the celebration of BCVI’s first 20 years, this extraordinary gift ensures we are not only honoring our past, but shaping the next 20 years of cardiovascular care,” said Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, executive director of Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. “This commitment keeps Northwestern Medicine at the forefront of cardiovascular medicine, empowering us to deliver superior outcomes for patients today and into the future.”

Thanks to Bluhm’s unwavering support, BCVI can continue making strides in the fight against heart disease by making care more accessible, supporting clinical talent, advancing infrastructure, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cardiac medicine. 

For more information about cardiovascular treatments at Northwestern Medicine, visit nm.org/heart.