Chicago philanthropist Neil G. Bluhm and the Bluhm Family Foundation have made a $50 million donation to the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute (BCVI). This latest contribution increases Bluhm’s total support for BCVI to $135 million over two decades. The funds will be used to expand access to cardiac care, support research, and enhance the institute’s position as one of the top heart programs in the country and globally.
“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.”
Since its founding in 2005 with an initial gift from Bluhm, BCVI has treated hundreds of thousands of patients across Chicago and beyond. Ongoing contributions have supported efforts such as expanding health equity by bringing high-quality care closer to communities, advancing research, recruiting medical professionals, and launching programs like the Center for Artificial Intelligence and the Bluhm Heart Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The new funding will help further expand access to heart care through new technologies across Northwestern Medicine’s nine-hospital network, increase space at Bluhm Heart Hospital, support research initiatives and clinical trials, develop innovations in cardiovascular medicine, fund fellowships for training physicians, and recruit 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 of 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.”
Bluhm’s philanthropy has contributed significantly to BCVI’s growth. The institute grew from treating 1,000 patients in its first year to more than 48,000 patients in 2025. Now operating at 18 locations throughout greater Chicago with a staff of 2,400 clinicians—including more than 186 specialized cardiologists—BCVI manages complex cases often declined by other health systems.
Key achievements include being ranked among the top 10 cardiology programs nationally by U.S. News & World Report for ten consecutive years; placing among Newsweek’s top 20 hospitals worldwide for cardiac surgery; ranking seventh nationally as a patient-preferred hospital for heart care; achieving a place among the top 15 hospitals nationwide for heart attack survival; seeing a ninefold increase in cardiac surgeries since 2005; maintaining a patient satisfaction rate of 96%; treating patients from all U.S. states and at least 40 countries; publishing over 3,100 manuscripts on cardiac topics in three years; and receiving $100 million 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.”
Northwestern Medicine operates under its parent organization Northwestern Memorial HealthCare (https://news.nm.org/). The institution is recognized as a leading academic health system focused on patient-centered care through education and research (https://news.nm.org/). Howard B. Chrisman serves as president and CEO (https://news.nm.org/), while strategic collaborations advance clinical research efforts (https://news.nm.org/). Northwestern Medicine also acknowledges community service through humanitarian awards reflecting compassion and positive impact (https://news.nm.org/).
For additional information about cardiovascular treatments at Northwestern Medicine visit nm.org/heart.
