“ We are honored and privileged to be the Members of The Duchossois Family Foundation are, from left, standing: Craig J. Duchossois, Janet Duchossois, Ilaria Woodward, Jessica Swoyer Green, Dayle Duchossois Fortino. Seated: Ashley Duchossois Joyce, AM’01, left, Richard L. Duchossois, Kimberly Duchossois.
beneficiary of such enormous generosity and are excited by what the science can accomplish. PHOTO BY RICHARD SHAY
The gift invests in core strengths of UChicago Medicine: our basic science research and our ability to quickly translate that research for the benefit of patients.” Kenneth S. Polonsky, MD Richard T. Crane Distinguished Service Professor Dean of the Biological Sciences Division and the Pritzker School of Medicine Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs The University of Chicago
“We are already seeing the life-changing effects that microbiome research can have on society. The Institute enables us to provide dedicated
“We are grateful for the Duchossois family’s remarkable level of engagement in establishing this innovative alliance between medical experts and entrepreneurs.” The amount is the largest single gift in support of UChicago Medicine and brings the family’s lifetime charitable contributions to the academic medical center to $137 million. That amount includes a $21 million gift in 1994 to establish the Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine, which is home to outpatient specialty clinics, diagnostic centers and treatment facilities at UChicago Medicine. Until now, much of the research on the microbiome — the community of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms living in the body, primarily the digestive tract — and its relation to human health has focused on its relationship to disease. Recent discoveries, many at UChicago, demonstrate that the genetic material encoded within the microbiome is a critical factor in fine-tuning the immune system and can be powerful in maintaining well-being and preventing disease. uchospitals.edu/midway
The scientific focus of The Duchossois Family Institute was developed over two years of discussions between faculty, led by T. Conrad Gilliam, PhD, dean for basic science and the Marjorie I. and Bernard A. Mitchell Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Human Genetics, and members of the family. The Institute will bring together investigators across the University of Chicago as well as affiliates at Argonne National Laboratory, the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and eventually many more partners. In addition, the University will embed commercialization specialists from its Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to promote participation and support of the business community to further accelerate innovation. “Sustainability and entrepreneurship are critical to the success of this new endeavor,” said Craig Duchossois, a longtime trustee of both the University and the medical center. “The fact that we are able to leverage so many resources at one university means we can aggressively advance the progress of this new science and help society.”
entrepreneurial resources for our scientists to help them advance their early stage discoveries and interventions that have potential for significant positive social and economic impact. That means their research can be quickly developed and deployed into treatments dedicated to improving human health.” John Flavin Associate Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Head of the Polsky Center
Watch a video to learn more about The Duchossois Family Institute and the new science of wellness: dfi.uchicago.edu
MEDICINE ON THE MIDWAY
FALL 2017
5