As we continue our work to become a top five pediatric heart center in the next five years, the Founders’ Board’s generous commitment to the Heart Center has been essential in making progress towards this goal. 

In addition to the arrival of David Winlaw, MD, FRACS, Division Head of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery, we recruited two exceptional female leaders last year to expand the Heart Center’s expertise from the community to the operating room:

Lindsey Gakenheimer-Smith, MD, joined the Heart Center in November 2024. Dr. Gakenheimer-Smith’s interests include caring for patients with arrhythmias and alleviating disparities in general pediatric cardiac care. As Medical Director of Mobile and Community Cardiology, she is passionate about increasing access to care in the Chicagoland area. Under her leadership, we launched a community-based cardiology clinic to bring general cardiology services to underserved Chicago neighborhoods through Lurie Children’s mobile health unit. Dr. Gakenheimer-Smith also hopes to expand the Heart Center's public health impact through partnerships with Federally Qualified Health Centers and the Chicago Park District, offering heart health education sessions and improving care accessibility for post-surgical patients on the south and west sides.

“I’m incredibly grateful for your support that allows me to provide cardiac care in an area that hasn’t previously had easy access to services. In my work, I am trying to emulate the same support you have given me and be a conduit for your generosity. I’m passionate about mentoring our trainees in cardiology to do community-based care. Through their work, your support will impact future generations.”

In August 2025, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Elisabeth Martin, MD, MPH, was appointed Director of the Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction Program and Surgical Outcomes Research. Dr. Martin has extensive expertise in neonatal surgery, pediatric heart and lung transplantation and adult congenital heart disease. Her work focuses on the rare condition of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collaterals, a complex and rare heart defect that affects how blood flows from the heart to the lungs. Dr. Martin’s experience with this condition will benefit many complex patient situations. Dr. Martin holds the A. C. Buehler Professorship in Surgery. 
 

Supporting Nurses, Advancing the Field

Discovery drives the future of patient care. 

With their insights at the bedside, nurses are uniquely positioned to lead research that translates directly into better outcomes for children and families. Recognizing this, the Founders’ Board commitment to Nursing supported Founders’ Board Nurse Scientists, including Susan Horner, PhD. Dr. Horner is a Developmental Specialist in the NICU and a former Krehbiel Scholar. Earlier this year, she was awarded an internal grant for her project Hospital to Home: Optimizing Preterm Infant Environment (H-HOPE). 

This project studies a behavioral health intervention that helps parents connect with and support their babies during hospital stays, which is important for healthy development. While it has been shown to benefit many infants, it has not yet been studied in babies born with birth defects who need surgery soon after birth. The data Dr. Horner obtains from H-HOPE will support her application for an R01 grant to the National Institutes of Health.

Lurie Children’s nurses significantly impact kids’ lives locally and contribute to advancing pediatric healthcare nationally. To further broaden their reach, the department has developed an opportunity for nurses to serve care providers and children in Grenada, West Indies. The Founders’ Board’s commitment provided key funding for this global nursing initiative. In spring of 2024, nurses and nursing leadership provided training and services at three locations in the capital of St. George’s: Queen Elizabeth Home for Children, Dorothy Hopkin Home for the Disabled and St. George’s General Hospital. At the children's home, our nurses provided training on positive discipline and how to reinforce good behavior to increase staff knowledge about child development. The Hopkin Home staff requested training in skin care and seizure response.

At the general hospital, our team worked with the country’s Chief Nursing Officer to empower the nurses to use their voice and express their needs. Our nurses also provided training on quality improvement techniques to help participants gain the skills needed to create evidence-based change. At the bedside focusing on a patient, our nurses don’t often reflect on their valuable skills and the amazing care they consistently provide. Working in Grenada gives them the chance to shift their perspective while in service of others.

Multi-Year Financial Impact

The Founders' Board exceeded its overall campaign commitment goal of $40M with a total of $52.8M raised in support of the for every child campaign. This total makes the Founder's Board the single largest contributor to the campaign. The Founders' Board's commitment to the campaign includes 100% participation from Founders' Board members.

Thank You

Your generosity exemplifies an unwavering dedication to helping children live fuller, healthier lives. From advanced heart care to exceptional nursing, your impact is felt across the hospital. We are deeply grateful for your dedication to our patients and families and the teams that provide exceptional care.