Medical School Salutes Founders Society at Chicago Reception
May 5, 2025
More than 230 members of The Founders Society at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine gathered May 3 at the Arts Club of Chicago for a special evening reception celebrating their generous contributions.
The Founders Society recognizes individuals whose philanthropic support and volunteerism help drive Feinberg’s continued growth, excellence, and leadership in medical education and research. With over 3,000 members, including alumni, faculty, staff, and friends, the society represents a cornerstone of the school’s advancement.
“You make our mission—our vision—possible. It’s donors like you who are the difference between us being a run-of-the-mill medical school and being the leader that we have become,” said Alan Krensky, MD, executive for Development at Northwestern Medicine and vice dean for Development and Alumni Relations at Feinberg.
Dr. Krensky highlighted the new Stephen M. Stahl Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, dedicated May 1, as an example of this reputation-defining philanthropy. He called attention to Dr. Stahl and his wife, Shakila, who endowed the center in 2024 and attended the reception.
While Feinberg continues to lead in fundraising for cardiology, cancer, and neuroscience, donor interest is rapidly expanding into emerging fields like longevity, global health, artificial intelligence, and human immunology—areas where Northwestern’s expertise is quickly gaining ground.
Following in the footsteps of the Robert J. Havey, MD Institute for Global Health, endowed by Patrick G. Ryan and Shirley W. Ryan, and the Potocsnak Longevity Institute, endowed by John Potocsnak and his family, the medical school hopes to one day endow the Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (I.AIM) and the Center for Human Immunobiology, Dr. Krensky said.
Led by Abel Kho, MD, I.AIM is poised to put Northwestern at the forefront of medical innovation by combining powerful tech with real-world clinical know-how to create smart, patient-focused AI tools that make a difference in people’s lives.
The Center for Human Immunobiology, led by Stephanie Eisenbarth, MD, PhD, is advancing the understanding of immune system mechanisms and translating groundbreaking discoveries into innovative treatments for immune-regulated diseases.
Acknowledging uncertainty around federal funding freezes, Dr. Krensky promised attendees that Feinberg faculty remain committed to their life-changing research.
“Our vision and our mission are intact,” he said. “I can assure you that [federal funding uncertainty] has not changed the passion of our faculty.”
While many medical school alumni attended the event as part of Alumni Weekend celebrations, including the Commitment to Scholarships luncheon, The Founders Society also includes faculty members, grateful patients, families, and friends from around the world. Through their philanthropy and volunteer efforts, these supporters help Feinberg achieve its goals.