Remembering Ann Lurie
September 12, 2024
Ann Lurie, a visionary donor, Northwestern University Trustee, and humanitarian, passed away on June 24, 2024, at 79. We remember her legacy at Northwestern and profound impact upon medical research and patient care in Chicago and globally.
This story originally ran in the September 2024 issue of The Philanthropist.
Lurie's Legacy
1973
Nurse at Children’s Memorial Hospital: Ann Lurie worked as a pediatric intensive care nurse at Children’s Memorial Hospital, known today as the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
1990
In Memoriam: Robert H. Lurie: Ann Lurie’s husband, Robert Lurie, was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer in 1987. He passed away on June 20, 1990, two and a half years after his initial diagnosis. In appreciation of the exceptional care he received, the Luries decided in early 1990 to endow the cancer center with the goal of providing the best care to patients and their families. The endowment provided resources to invest in faculty, research, and education to prepare the next generation of scientists and clinicians.1991
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University: The cancer center was dedicated in 1991 to Robert H. Lurie through an endowment from Ann and Robert H. Lurie. The full name was adopted in 1997 when the cancer center was awarded the National Cancer Institute’s highly competitive “comprehensive” designation for its dedication to the highest standards of cancer research, patient care, education, and community outreach.
1997
Diana, Princess of Wales Professorship in Cancer Research: This professorship was established in Princess Diana’s name to commemorate her visit to the Lurie Cancer Center in 1996 as well as her keen interest in cancer research and the care of cancer sufferers. Today, Daniela E. Matei, MD, chief of Reproductive Science in Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, holds this professorship.
Jesse, Sara, Andrew, Abigail, Benjamin and Elizabeth Lurie Professorship in Oncology: Established in 1997, this professorship was renamed in 2002 when Leonidas C. Platanias, MD, PhD, was named to the professorship. Dr. Platanias became director of the Lurie Cancer Center in 2014.
2007
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago: Ann Lurie made a $100 million gift, the largest in Children’s Memorial Hospital’s history, in 2007 to help fund construction of the new hospital. The gift remains the largest gift in its 142-year history. Today, Lurie Children’s Hospital is Illinois’ only freestanding hospital exclusively for children, offering patients access to world-class care in a modern, kid-friendly environment. It is Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine’s hospital affiliate for pediatric care and research.2009
Board of Directors of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
2021
Ann Lurie Professorship in Hematology and Oncology: A new professorship honoring Ann Lurie will support the next Chief of Hematology and Oncology in the Department of Medicine at Feinberg.
Life Trustee at Northwestern University
Ann Lurie made a tremendous mark upon the medical field worldwide, and the impact of her philanthropy will be felt indefinitely. We at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine extend our profound gratitude to Ms. Lurie and our deepest condolences to her family.