March 29, 2007

Grant to modernize student health service honors John G. Searle

The Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust has made a $1 million grant to Northwestern University for the renovation and expansion of Searle Hall, home of University Health Service.

The gift is in honor of John G. Searle, whose $800,000 gift made possible construction of the original health center. Mr. Searle, then president of G.D. Searle and Co. and vice president of the board of trustees, attended the dedication of Searle Hall with his wife Frances and their children and grandchildren on April 21, 1961.

“The Searle Family is delighted to support the renovation and expansion of Searle Hall so that it may continue to provide for the changing health care needs of current and future students,” said Nancy Searle, Searle Consultant to The Chicago Community Trust. “Our support extends John G. Searle’s legacy of excellence in health care and his dedication to Northwestern University. This new commitment carries forward John G. Searle’s legacy for future generations of Northwestern students.”

“The Chicago Community Trust is proud to support the renovation of Searle Hall student health center,” said Terry Mazany, president and chief executive officer of The Chicago Community Trust. “This latest gift reflects our ongoing commitment to helping improve the collective quality of life here in the Chicago region.” 

The improvement project will modernize existing facilities and add approximately 18,000 gross square feet to the east side of the building at 633 Emerson St. Construction is slated to start this year.

A key feature of the plan is to separate spaces for clinical services from faculty and staff offices. Physicians now use the same room as an examination room and an office. Most of the clinical space will be in the addition while the existing structure will undergo renovation. The remodeling will provide more space for laboratories, medical records, supplies, health education and Counseling and Psychological Services. The layout, including the reception/waiting area, will be designed to protect patients’ privacy.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, plans call for installation of an elevator and an open communicating stairway. The building is now served by one elevator and two stairways.

The site of the proposed addition is the small parking lot located east of the building and west of the north-south alley that will be eliminated. The project will also include a new landscaped entrance plaza.

Since 1915, The Chicago Community Trust has connected the generosity of donors with the needs of the community by giving more than $1 billion in grants to organizations working to improve metropolitan Chicago.