Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Women's Board

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Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Women's Board

The Women's Board of Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital advances care through fundraising, advocacy and volunteerism.

08/17/2026

Congratulations to Elizabeth Drechny, RN, BSN and Kelsey A. Plagge, PA-C, of Northwestern Medicine Breast Surgery, who received funding through the 2026 Women’s Board Grants Initiative for their project, North Region Breast Surgery NAC Reconstruction.

The project will bring nipple–areolar complex (NAC) micropigmentation services to patients in the north suburbs completing an important stage of breast reconstruction closer to home.

By expanding access to this specialized service, the initiative will enhance comprehensive breast cancer care while supporting patient confidence, well-being and recovery.

08/14/2026

Innovation begins with great ideas and the support to bring them to life.

The Women’s Board of Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital Grants Initiative has awarded more than $818,000 since 2011 to support innovative clinical programs, research initiatives and patient service projects that advance patient care in the north suburbs.

This year’s grant applicants recently presented their ideas during a Shark Tank-style session to The Women’s Board Grants Committee, Karen Mahnke, MSN, RN, and Michael D. Bauer, MD. Four innovative projects to strengthen patient care in the north suburbs were awarded a total of $71,115.

Over the next few days, we’ll introduce each of The Women’s Board Grants Initiative recipients for 2026 and highlight the innovative ideas that earned funding for their projects.

08/13/2026

The Women’s Board of Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital is proud to support the next generation of healthcare professionals through its longstanding scholarship program.

Now in its 70th year, the program has awarded nearly $50,000 in academic scholarships to clinical staff, their family member, and hospital volunteers

This year also marked the inaugural Susan Thomas Skinner Scholarship, which recognizes Skinner’s lasting contributions to Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital as a member and former president of The Women’s Board and, later, as the hospital’s director of volunteers and director of philanthropy.

Congratulations to all our 2026 scholarship recipients. We look forward to the impact they will make on patients and our community in the years ahead.

08/07/2026

Northwestern Medicine is proud to have five hospitals ranked among “America’s Best,” including Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the only Illinois hospital to be ranked No. 1 for 14 straight years, by U.S. News & World Report, 2025 – 2026. Anchored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which is nationally ranked in 11 clinical specialties, we’re leading the quest for better care in the Chicago area and beyond.

According to U.S. News & World Report, 2025 – 2026, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital is:

• Ranked No. 8 in the Chicago Metro Area
• Ranked No. 8 in Illinois

Nationally ranked in:
• Diabetes and endocrinology (No. 39)
• Geriatrics (No. 46) (tie)
• Neurology and neurosurgery (No. 37)
• Orthopedics (No. 43)

Recognized as High Performing in:
• Gastroenterology and GI surgery
• Pulmonology and lung surgery
• Urology

• Recognized as High Performing in nine procedures and conditions

07/20/2026

The Women’s Board of Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital welcomed Andrea Saenim, vice president of operations at Northwestern Medicine, to our June meeting for an engaging presentation on lung health and the impact of Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute.

Her inspiring presentation highlighted importance of advancing screening, early detection, research and patient care. She also shared how innovation and collaboration continue to improve outcomes for patients across our community.

The Women’s Board is grateful for opportunities to learn from leaders who are helping to shape the future of healthcare.

06/18/2026

We are immensely grateful to Catherine Bernardi, Corey O’Neill and Caitlin Bourne, co-chairs of The Women’s Board of Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital Annual Benefit, for their vision, dedication and countless hours of work in making the Annual Benefit such a success.

Their leadership contributed to an extraordinary result — raising more than $580,000 to advance the expansion of Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital and future cardiovascular care through Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in Lake Forest. Thank you for leading with generosity, passion and purpose.

06/17/2026

We are grateful to Seamus P. Collins, president of Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, and Ian D. Cohen, MD, Charles and Barbara Strang Medical Director, Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute North Region, for their engaging presentations highlighting the future of healthcare in our community.

Their remarks provided meaningful insight into the hospital’s expansion and the advanced cardiovascular care that will be available through Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in Lake Forest. These investments will have a transformative impact on patients and their loved ones for generations to come.

06/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Women’s Heart Care Panel. Northwestern Medicine cardiologists Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc, Jane E. Wilcox, MD, MSC, Priya M. Freaney, MD, Sarah A. Golastein, MD, Rany v. Sweis, MD, MS, and Linda Lee, MD, discussed how heart health changes across a woman’s life and why knowing your numbers plays an important role in prevention. Audience questions touched on topics such as treatment options, menopause, and ways to take a more proactive approach to heart health. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with our community and advance this important conversation together.

06/10/2026

Thank you to the generous businesses and individuals who donated items to The Women’s Board Annual Benefit raffle and auction benefiting Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital. Your support helped make the evening even more special while advancing exceptional care in our community.

We are grateful for the contributions of:
AbbVie
Ballyhoo Hospitality
BIRD Barre
Bliss Diamond
& Jewelry Company
Chef Alberto Garcia
Club Pilates
Dior
Gallagher
Gage Hospitality Group
Holy Mahj
James Dyson Foundation
Lake Forest Custom Clothiers
Lake Forest Health and Fitness
Lake Forest Shop
Lake Forest Flowers
Laura Lou Flowers
Lillie Alexander
M on the Square
MaxMara
Monson Jewelers
Neiman Marcus
Norm and Kim Wesley
Pasquesi Home and Gardens
S Nails and Spa
Sea Island Resort
Smathers & Branson
Sheridan Home
Singalila Gallery
Smith's Mens Store
Tag
Terlato Wine
The Bernardi Families
The O'Neill Family
The Parker Family
Trish McEvoy

06/09/2026

Thank you to our sponsors, supporters, and donors whose generosity helped raise over $580,000 at The Women’s Board Annual Benefit benefiting Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital in support of the hospital’s expansion and the advanced cardiovascular care that will be provided through Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in Lake Forest.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and supporters who made this evening possible. Your generosity helps us make a difference for patients, their loved ones and our community.

Address

1000 North Westmoreland Road
Lake Forest, IL
60045

Telephone

+18472340945

Website

https://lfhwomensboard.nm.org/

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