| Form 990, Part III, Line 1 Organization's Mission |
The core mission of NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) is to "preserve and improve human life." This mission will be achieved through the provision of superior clinical care, academic excellence and innovative research. NorthShore is a not-for-profit organization principally formed to provide quality healthcare services for the communities it serves. The delivery of healthcare services is provided in a wide range of inpatient and ambulatory healthcare settings, community-wide, employing modern technology and expertise. Support for qualified patients who may not be able to pay the entire cost of their care is a part of the organization's commitment. In support of its primary mission of patient care, the organization engages in a wide range of academic activities in medical education and research. This statement recognizes the Board of Directors' responsibility to maintain the organization's viability to meet its long-term commitment to the communities it serves. It further recognizes the responsibility to maintain technologically current assets for this purpose. This includes the cultivation and development of our physicians, graduate medical students, employees, physical plant, equipment and other resources to assure orderly growth of our services. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a Program Service Description - Patient Care |
NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) is an integrated, healthcare delivery system. NorthShore, headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, includes five hospitals - Evanston Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital, Highland Park Hospital, Skokie Hospital, and Swedish Hospital. NorthShore also includes a 900 physician multispecialty group practice, NorthShore University HealthSystem Faculty Practice Associates, with more than 140 locations in the Chicagoland area. NorthShore is a Magnet-recognized organization, the first in Illinois to receive this prestigious honor as an entire system that demonstrates excellence in nursing and high standards in patient care. NorthShore also is a national leader in the implementation of innovative technologies, including an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. In 2003, NorthShore was among the first in the country to successfully implement a system-wide EMR with demonstrable benefits in quality, safety, efficiency and service to patients. NorthShore has been recognized by multiple national organizations for this notable achievement. As the principal teaching affiliate for the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, NorthShore is dedicated to excellence in medical education and research. Combined with NorthShore's established reputation for advanced information technology and its strong clinical environment, this affiliation represents an exciting advancement in patient care for the Chicagoland area. NorthShore's health system includes significant capabilities in a wide spectrum of leading clinical programs, including Kellogg Cancer Center, NorthShore Neurological Institute, NorthShore Orthopaedic Institute, NorthShore Cardiovascular Institute, Neaman Center for Personalized Medicine and High-Risk Maternity. NorthShore is nationally named a 2020 Most Wired health system for the 17th straight year by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. NorthShore receives a "Level 9 Quality Award" (out of 10) for both Acute and Ambulatory surveys. NorthShore receives the Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award, recognizing 17 of NorthShore's off-site Outpatient Services that have achieved the 95th percentile or above for performance in Patient Experience. NorthShore is named to the 2021 Fortune/IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals list for a record 22 times, more than any other hospital or health system in the U.S. in the award's 28-year history. NorthShore also is among the Top 15 Major Teaching Hospitals. NorthShore earns five stars-the highest possible quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), as part of its consumer-oriented Hospital Compare program. Evanston, Glenbrook and Northwest Community hospitals receive "A" grades and Highland Park and Swedish hospitals receive "B" grades in Spring ratings from The Leapfrog Group, a national organization that focuses on quality and safety in American health care. Evanston, Highland Park and Swedish hospitals are proud to be recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield with a Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) for Maternity Care designation, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. NorthShore Orthopaedic & Spine Institute is named one of the top 50 specialty programs in the country in U.S. News & World Report's annual 'Best Hospital' rankings for 2021-22. Legacy NorthShore also is ranked the #6 hospital in both Illinois and the Chicago metro area. NorthShore is recognized as a LinkedIn 'Top 25 Company' in the greater Chicago area for 2021. NorthShore recognizes and embraces its responsibility to ensure that it fulfills its charitable obligations in the most cost-effective and sustainable manner. In order to achieve this goal, NorthShore has aligned its community benefits program with the guiding principles outlined in Advancing the State of the Art of Community Benefit for nonprofit hospitals, which provides a set of uniform standards to increase accountability and align governance, management, and operations to return benefit to local communities. NorthShore is guided and its initiatives measured by five guiding principles, including: 1) Disproportionate Unmet Health-Related Needs, 2) Primary Prevention, 3) Seamless Continuum of Care, 4) Build Community Capacity, and 5) Community Collaboration. NorthShore informs and educates low-income patients of our Financial Assistance program across many points within the system. We have posted signs--both English and Spanish--in all our facilities' Emergency Departments and at our Central Registration areas. The NorthShore patient information television channel is available to all patients upon admission and a section describes how to obtain Financial Assistance. The NorthShore billing statements describes the Financial Assistance program and necessary contact information. Our collection agencies and billing offices also coordinate charity care to potentially eligible patients. Finally, the NorthShore website (northshore.org) is another useful resource that informs patients about the Financial Assistance program with links to the application process and the actual financial application. NorthShore also has approximately 16 full-time financial counselors and 38 Customer Service agents representing our hospitals, clinics, and physician offices. These counselors and representatives are responsible for helping patients understand their bills and coordinating financial assistance and insurance eligibility when appropriate. Any uninsured patient admitted to our hospitals will have their case reviewed by a financial counselor. NorthShore has also earned Certified Application Counselor Organization (CACO) status with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Our counselors are certified and capable of helping patients navigate Medicaid and Insurance Exchange options. Any patient having difficulty paying their portion of the bill or wanting to know if they are eligible for financial assistance will have their case reviewed by calling our centralized Customer Service billing department. Our Customer Service department responds to approximately 1,400 calls per day from patients with questions about their bill or that are unable to pay. In addition to the formal application process for Financial Assistance, NorthShore may also grant Financial Assistance on a presumptive basis. Presumptive Financial Assistance approvals are based upon individual life circumstances such as enrollment in low-income government programs with income eligibility below 200 percent of federal poverty level income guidelines or verification of financial indigence through a credit rating agency and their calculated healthcare credit score. NorthShore Evanston Hospital - Evanston Hospital continues to serve the community as a comprehensive acute-care facility and the nucleus of NorthShore. Principal home to NorthShore Cardiovascular Institute and Kellogg Cancer Center, Evanston Hospital also offers a variety of surgical specialties: neurosurgery, gynecological surgery, robot-assisted surgery, surgical oncology and urology surgery. Evanston Hospital is certified by the Joint Commission in palliative care and as a Primary Stroke Center - providing an acute stroke team 24 hours a day, seven days a week for rapid diagnosis and treatment. Evanston Hospital also is a premier Level I Trauma Center in the northern suburbs with a recently renovated and expanded Emergency Department. Physicians work alongside leading researchers to translate the latest technology, treatment and research into improved patient care. As the regional center for high-risk obstetrics, the Infant Special Care Unit and the Women's Hospital offer a comfortable birthing environment where high-risk mothers and their babies have access to the latest technology and a highly trained staff. Evanston Hospital also offers leading-edge lab capabilities and serves as a home base for NorthShore's pioneering Neaman Center for Personalized Medicine, which customizes a patient's care and treatment plan based on the individual's unique genetic characteristics and health history. It also houses the Grainger Center for Simulation and Innovation, which provides nurses, physicians, residents, paramedics, firefighters and police with simulated clinical care, trauma and emergency preparedness training in a controlled environment. During fiscal year ending 12/31/21, Evanston Hospital total admissions were 5,288, and total patient days were 26,644 NorthShore Glenbrook Hospital - Glenbrook Hospital is well known in the northern suburbs as a comprehensive medical center providing advanced diagnostic and therapeutic interventions - particularly focused on advanced ophthalmology and outpatient surgery, and the specialized needs of geriatric patients. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a Program Service Description - Patient Care (continued) |
The hospital boasts a 25,000 square-foot Emergency Department featuring 30 private exam/treatment rooms . In addition to being a Level II Trauma Center, Glenbrook Hospital is certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center - providing an acute stroke team 24 hours a day, seven days a week for rapid diagnosis and treatment. Glenbrook Hospital provides advanced medical and surgical care in a beautiful healing environment. Notable specialties include NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center, NorthShore Neurological Institute, NorthShore Cardiovascular Institute, the John and Carol Walter Center for Urological Health, Patricia Nolan Center for Breast Health, Simms Family GI Lab, and the Eye and Vision Center. In addition, the hospital offers leading-edge interventional radiology and diagnostic radiology services. During fiscal year ending 12/31/21, Glenbrook Hospital total admissions were 2,209, and total patient days were 12,129. NorthShore Highland Park Hospital - Highland Park Hospital includes an updated surgical pavilion offering the latest technology and leading-edge operating rooms. Construction of the Women's Hospital was completed in 2017, providing the only dedicated Labor, Delivery and Post-Partum Unit in Lake County. Highland Park Hospital is the site of the first open-heart surgery in Lake County and continues to provide a full range of cardiac diagnosis and intervention services. Highland Park Hospital's Kellogg Cancer Center offers the most comprehensive subspecialty care in the northern suburbs including: thoracic and lung, hematology, breast, ovarian, head and neck, melanoma and sarcoma, gastrointestinal, prostate and stomach. Highland Park Hospital is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center - providing an acute stroke team 24/7 for rapid diagnosis and treatment. Highland Park Hospital's Emergency Department also is the region's "pod" hospital for disaster-response activities across Lake County. During fiscal year ending 12/31/21, Highland Park Hospital total admissions were 2,274, and total patient days were 10,746. NorthShore Skokie Hospital - Skokie Hospital is not only home to Illinois' only destination hospital dedicated to orthopaedic and spine care, but it also offers emergency and outpatient services to meet the needs of the local community. The Orthopaedic & Spine Institute provides advanced care and is designed for both outpatient and inpatient procedures, including joint replacement, fracture care and complex spine surgeries. The Institute's team is comprised of trained experts, from orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons and anesthesiologists, to nurses, physical and occupational therapists. Each member of the team is highly experienced in using the latest innovations and leading-edge techniques, including Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols to minimize opioid use and achieve a higher level of patient satisfaction pre- and post-surgery. Established in 1963, Skokie Hospital also provides patients access to a vast network of outpatient clinical resources as well, from multispecialty physician offices to cardiac imaging, radiology and gastrointestinal services - and a Level II Trauma Center and Emergency Department. Skokie Hospital recently completed a seven-year, multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion ensuring the hospital continues to provide the community with exceptional medical care for years to come. A newly opened state-of-the-art surgical pavilion includes eight new operating rooms and a sterile processing center. During fiscal year ending 12/31/21, Skokie Hospital total admissions were 541, and total patient days were 3,150. Swedish Hospital - Part of NorthShore - Swedish Hospital has served the diverse communities of Chicago's North Side for more than 130 years, and on January 1, 2020, Swedish Hospital and its various clinical entities became part of NorthShore University. Swedish Hospital provides the full range of comprehensive health and wellness services including an acute care 312-bed hospital, a talented team of primary and specialty care physicians in the Swedish Medical Group, strong community outreach programs, and Chicago's only certified medical fitness center - Galter LifeCenter. Swedish Hospital offers advanced clinical care in more than 50 academic-level medical specialties. This includes the Mayora Rosenberg Women's Health Center, which offers 3-D mammography and is home to the region's top midwifery program. Swedish Hospital also is certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. Northwest Community Hospital - Part of NorthShore - On January 1, 2021 Northwest Community Hospital (NCH) became part of NorthShore. Serving Chicago's northwest suburbs since 1959, NCH is dedicated to providing outstanding care in the communities it calls home. The hospital serves more than 200,000 outpatients and treat more than 20,000 inpatients annually. The NCH hospital houses a Level III NICU, Level II Trauma Center and a dedicated pediatric emergency department. The hospital has 509 beds, including the South Pavilion with 200 private rooms and a 33-bed acute inpatient rehabilitation unit and seven outpatient rehabilitation centers. The NCH campus houses the Wellness Center, a premier health and fitness center and spa, as well as a full-service, retail pharmacy. NorthShore University HealthSystem Faculty Practice Associates - NorthShore University HealthSystem Faculty Practice Associates (FPA) is comprised of about 900 primary and specialty care physicians located in Chicago and many of the northern suburbs. With more than 140 locations, the primary care team includes experts in internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology. Our primary care team works in close collaboration with physicians in over 50 specialty services in every field of medicine, including cancer, orthopaedics, neurological and cardiovascular care. Additionally, NorthShore advanced primary care by integrating genetics into patient care plans to more precisely guide medical management. Patients who see a FPA primary care physician, now receive a Genetic and Wellness Assessment as part of a patient's annual physical. This personalized medicine tool helps the doctor better identify risk factors and detect diseases at their earliest, most treatable stages. Through NorthShore's teaching affiliation with the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, FPA physicians hold academic appointments at the Pritzker School of Medicine, helping to teach and train the physicians of tomorrow. NorthShore University HealthSystem Foundation - NorthShore University HealthSystem Foundation (Foundation) is dedicated to attracting and stewarding philanthropy in support of the integrated healthcare delivery system's mission to "preserve and improve human life." Generous donations of time, talent and treasure - from individuals, foundations and corporations - help to ensure that world-class healthcare is available close to home. Philanthropy was integral to the founding of NorthShore in 1891, and is simply a part of NorthShore - past, present and future. NorthShore University HealthSystem Home and Hospice Services - NorthShore University HealthSystem Home and Hospice Services (Home and Hospice) offers the full spectrum of home and hospice care, including skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy and home medical equipment. Home and Hospice caregivers represent a wide range of medical specialties and work with the patient, family and physician to tailor home care to meet the individual needs of each patient. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a Program Service Description - Education |
As a primary teaching affiliate for University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) is dedicated to excellence in medical education and research. NorthShore also has additional teaching affiliation agreements with Rush University Medical Center, University of Illinois-Chicago, Stroger Hospital, and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. NorthShore physician-educators connect and innovate with the next generation of medical specialists to help shape the future of healthcare. Combined with NorthShore's established reputation for advanced information technology and its strong clinical environment, this affiliation represents an exciting advancement in academic medicine for the Chicagoland area and for future physician leaders. NorthShore has an extensive selection of training programs and fellowships to offer physicians at its teaching and research facilities. During fiscal year ending 12/31/21, 223 resident and fellow full-time equivalents (FTEs) participated in NorthShore and affiliate-based programs. The NorthShore residency program areas include: Dentistry, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine (Categorical, Preliminary, and Transitional), and Pathology. The NorthShore fellowship program areas include: Breast Surgery , Cardiology, Endocrine Surgery, Family Medicine-Sports Medicine, Gastroenterology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Musculoskeletal Imaging, Simulation-Emergency Medicine, and Urogynecology. The affiliate-based residency program areas include: Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Pediatrics, Plastic Surgery, Podiatry, Psychiatry, Radiology, and Urology. The affiliate-based fellowship program areas include: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Child Psychiatry, Colon Rectal Surgery, Gynecology-Oncology, Hematology-Oncology, Mammography, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Medical Microbiology, Molecular Genetics Pathology, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Nephrology, Neuroradiology, Orthopaedic Hand, Orthopaedic Sports, Palliative Medicine, Peripheral Vascular Surgery, and Surgical Oncology. NorthShore also offers a comprehensive Pharmacy residency program, with resident positions located at all four hospitals. The Pharmacy residency program includes both clinical and administrative exposure focusing on inpatient and ambulatory practice. The program also includes specialty residencies in oncology, pharmacy informatics, and pharmacy administration. The program consists of a multitude of experiences that reinforce residents' knowledge and skills and help them advance into well-rounded practitioners. During fiscal year ending 12/31/21, 16 residents participated in the program. The NorthShore School of Nurse Anesthesia operates out of Evanston Hospital and is affiliated with DePaul University. The program has full accreditation from the Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The mission of the school is to prepare qualified professional registered nurses for the advanced practice of nurse anesthesia in a variety of practice settings. The graduate nurse anesthetist demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to take on leadership roles in the practice of nurse anesthesia. During fiscal year ending 12/31/21, 96 students participated in the program. NorthShore also provided clinical training and internships during the fiscal year for 101 high school and college students. Students interned in the following areas: Nursing, Diagnostic Radiology, and Physical Therapy. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a Program Service Description - Research |
The NorthShore University HealthSystem Research Institute (Research Institute) was organized in 1996 to provide a means for integrating leading-edge research into improved clinical care. The Research Institute also creates an environment to recruit and retain externally-funded research leadership in order to achieve the mission and goals of the organization. The Research Institute now houses more than 210 principal investigators who currently occupy 95,000 net square feet of research space and work on 1,200 active research protocols. The Research Institute builds on NorthShore's promise to deliver excellence in all aspects of patient care. Efforts are directed to research initiatives that make a difference across multiple disciplines. From oncology and neurology to orthopaedics and cardiovascular care, the Research Institute focuses on areas of inquiry that have the potential to make the greatest impact on improving and saving lives. NorthShore offers some 1,000 active clinical trials of various types, from innovative surgical procedures to the latest drug therapies. NorthShore's clinical research portfolio focuses on a range of conditions, including cancer, neurologic disorders and stroke, cardiovascular disorders, and a wide range of pediatric and gynecologic conditions. Additionally, major clinical trial programs in advanced imaging and medical genetics are also offered. The Research Institute is also a member of the Illinois Precision Medicine Consortium (IPMC), which is part of a national landmark longitudinal All of Us Research Program (AoURP) cohort program to improve the ability to prevent and treat disease based on individual lifestyle, environment, and genetics. NorthShore will enroll over 9,000 NorthShore patients in the study, and participants in NorthShore's AoURP will be asked to share a wide-range of health, environmental, and lifestyle information. The NorthShore Program for Personalized Cancer Care (PPCC) is pioneering new strategies in cancer care. The PPCC uniquely focuses on the genetic pattern of an individual's hereditary DNA to derive a personalized cancer risk assessment profile. Based on the inherited risk of developing a given cancer, the PPCC is beginning to implement personalized cancer care strategies that encompass the entire spectrum of disease. The PPCC believes this approach will lead to more efficient use of health care resources by targeting prevention and screenings toward individuals at greater risk of developing cancer, earlier cancer detection, and, ultimately and most importantly, reduced cancer deaths and suffering. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 15 Process to Establish Compensation of Top Official and Other Employees |
A detailed compensation review of the top 17 executives, including the Chief Executive Officer, is conducted annually. Market data is collected and assessed by an external independent compensation consultant who specializes in compensation consulting within the healthcare industry. The work product from this study is reviewed separately with Board-retained legal counsel. Market data for base and variable compensation is assessed annually for local, regional and national hospitals, integrated delivery systems, and academic medical centers. A detailed total compensation market review is conducted every two years. The market assessment includes assessing job content in order to make appropriate market data comparisons. Specific recommendations are then reviewed, discussed and approved as appropriate with the Compensation Committee of the Board, in session with legal counsel present, in advance of implementation. A detailed compensation review of the 13 Clinical Chairs is also conducted annually. Market data is collected and assessed by an external independent compensation consultant who specializes in compensation consulting for physicians within the healthcare industry. The work product from this study is reviewed separately with Board-retained legal counsel. Market compensation data for each physician's specialized area of training is assessed annually. A detailed total compensation and Fair Market Value review is conducted every two years. Specific recommendations are then reviewed, discussed and approved as appropriate with the Compensation Committee of the Board, in session with legal counsel present, in advance of implementation. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 2 Family/business relationships amongst interested persons |
Toure S Claiborne, A Steven Crown, David A Dohnalek, Connie K Duckworth, Guy W Eisenhuth, John Erwin III, William M Farrow III, Ann K Ford, Neil S Freedman, Gerald P Gallagher, Catherine Guthrie, Mahalakshmi Halasyamani, Gregory K Jones, Jason L Koh, Harry M Jansen Kraemer Jr, Samuel M Mencoff, Kristen Murtos, Christopher J Olson, Bea Reyna-Hickey, Scott C Schweighauser, Susan B Sentell, Mark S Talamonti, Gregory Wallman, Kevin Willer, John G Zern, David F Zucker - Business relationship, Harry M Jansen Kraemer Jr and Samuel M Mencoff - Business relationship, Kristen Murtos and David Rahija - Business relationship, Mahalakshmi Halasyamani and Kristen Murtos - Business relationship, Sean O'Grady and Michael S Caplan - Business relationship, Douglas D Welday and Jesse Peterson Hall - Business relationship |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b Review of form 990 by governing body |
The NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) Form 990 was reviewed by executive management and an outside accounting firm. The NorthShore Form 990 was then provided to the Chairman of the Board of Directors via email for review and ability to ask questions of management prior to filing. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c Conflict of interest policy |
All officers, directors and employees are required to report any potential or actual conflicts of interest as they arise, promptly and in writing, to the Chief Compliance Officer. In addition, on an annual basis, the Chief Compliance officer requires all officers, directors, and key employees to complete, sign and return a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement requiring information about any and all potential or actual conflicts. Timely and accurate completion of the Statement is mandatory, and completed Statements must be returned to the Chief Compliance Officer within 15 days. Any disclosures included on the Statements are reviewed and acted upon as necessary by the Chief Compliance Officer and the Corporate Compliance Committee. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 19 Required documents available to the public |
The NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are available to the public upon request. The NorthShore annual audit report and financial statements are also available to the public through GuideStar and the Illinois Attorney General's Office websites as part of the federal and state tax return filings. The NorthShore quarterly and annual financial statements and annual audit are also made available to the public through the Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA) website as part of the tax-exempt bond offerings. |
| Form 990, Part VIII, Line 2f Other Program Service Revenue |
Other - Total Revenue: 1872135, Related or Exempt Function Revenue: 1872135, Unrelated Business Revenue: , Revenue Excluded from Tax Under Sections 512, 513, or 514: ; |
| Form 990, Part VIII, Line 11d Other Miscellaneous Revenue |
Other - Total Revenue: 6261609, Related or Exempt Function Revenue: 5863544, Unrelated Business Revenue: 281032, Revenue Excluded from Tax Under Sections 512, 513, or 514: 117033; |
| Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 Other changes in net assets or fund balances |
Equity adjustments for the Pension Plan - 3950388; Research Fund Deferred Income Reversal - -1667826; |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.