PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. – September 22, 2026 – Northwestern Medicine has appointed Kate Matousek, MS, BSN, RN, as president of Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital. In her new role, Matousek oversees hospital operations, quality performance and strategic growth initiatives while advancing Northwestern Medicine’s commitment to delivering world-class care closer to home.

Bringing 12 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience, including six years in vice president roles, Matousek has built a reputation for creating highly engaged teams and driving excellent clinical outcomes and strong operational performance.

“Kate is a highly respected leader who combines deep operational expertise with a genuine commitment to patients, physicians and team members,” said Howard Chrisman, MD, president and chief executive officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “Throughout her career, she has built engaged teams, driven outstanding clinical and operational outcomes and consistently demonstrated a collaborative leadership style. Her experience and passion for healthcare make her exceptionally well-suited to lead Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital into its next chapter.”

First joining Northwestern Medicine in 2014, Matousek has served as vice president of operations at both Palos Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. In these roles, she led a variety of clinical and non-clinical departments, including surgery, endoscopy, imaging, the stroke program, support services, and the expansion of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in the western suburbs.

Her connection to the organization began much earlier when her parents met while working in the pharmacy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she was also born.

“As someone whose life has been connected to Northwestern Medicine since birth, it is an incredible honor to serve as president of Palos Hospital,” said Matousek. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our exceptional physicians, nurses, other clinicians, and non-clinical team members as we continue building on the hospital’s strong foundation by advancing the quality of care and experience for our patients in the communities we serve.”

She brings a unique combination of clinical, educational and leadership experience to the role. While studying finance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a family medical emergency inspired her to pursue nursing changing the course of her career. After graduation, she earned a nursing degree from the University of Illinois Chicago then began her career as a critical care nurse at New York University (NYU) Medical Center where she also earned a master's degree in nursing education.

Matousek succeeds Mike Vivoda, who had served as president of Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital since 2018. The leadership transition also reflects a new role for Robyn Harvey, MBA, BSN, RN, who has been named vice president and chief nurse executive for Palos Hospital.

TINLEY PARK, Ill. – August 19, 2026 – Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute has expanded to Tinley Park increasing access to clinical appointments, cardiovascular imaging and cardiac diagnostic testing for patients in the south suburbs. The new services, located at 17333 N. LaGrange Road, Suite 102, include an outpatient cardiology clinic, echocardiograms, supervised stress testing and heart monitoring. The Tinley Park location is designed to support earlier diagnosis, risk assessment and coordinated care for patients with cardiovascular concerns.

“Expanding cardiovascular services in Tinley Park supports our goal to bring more advanced heart care closer to our patients,” said R. Kannan Mutharasan, MD, medical director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital. “By increasing access to cardiovascular imaging and diagnostic testing in the community, we can help patients get answers sooner and connect them to the right care more quickly.”

The Tinley Park expansion builds on Northwestern Medicine's continued investment in the south suburbs. Since expanding to Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital in 2021, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute has increased access to general cardiology care, minimally invasive interventional cardiology and electrophysiology procedures, advanced cardiac and vascular surgery, and enhanced diagnostic capabilities throughout the region. 

In addition to the Tinley Park location, cardiovascular services are available at locations in Orland Park, Mokena, and at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital.This robust footprint brings nationally recognized cardiovascular expertise closer to home for patients across the south suburbs. Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is the top-ranked heart and vascular program in Illinois and ranks No. 7 in the nation for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery in the 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.

Throughout the fall, Northwestern Medicine will continue to expand services at the Tinley Park facility. Additional services coming to or expanding in Tinley Park include primary care, neurosciences, rehabilitation therapy, rheumatology, endocrinology, neurodiagnostic testing and diabetes and nutrition services. 

To make an appointment with Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in Tinley Park, call 708-923-4200 or visit nm.org/heartappointments. For more information about Northwestern Medicine, visit nm.org.