More than a decade ago, Northwest Community Hospital (NCH) Foundation trustee Gary Dorn helped establish the Foundation’s President’s Circle giving society for those who make annual charitable gifts to NCH of $1,000 or more. In recent years, Dorn chaired the President’s Circle Council, and under his leadership, the “Circle” grew to 500 members. So it was especially fitting that at the 10th anniversary President’s Circle dinner on May 31, Foundation board chair Jack Lloyd made this announcement: Gary Dorn has made a $100,000 pledge to help fund a new computerized tomography (CT) scanner for the hospital’s Radiation Oncology department.
Part of Dorn’s motivation for the gift was his relationship with Dr. Philip Lobo, one of three expert radiation oncologists who care for cancer patients exclusively at NCH. Dorn said, “When Dr. Lobo described his department’s need for more advanced technology, I knew it was important. He is not only an excellent physician, but also a dedicated donor and longtime member of the President’s Circle. He helped us expand our network of community members who are truly invested in the hospital’s success. I am thankful for his support.”
Dr. Lobo is deeply grateful for Dorn’s gift to help fund the new wide-bore, four-dimensional, CT scanner—a critical piece of new technology designed to target tumors with high doses of radiation, while sparing healthy tissue. The “fourth dimension” is motion management, which tracks and adjusts for the movement of tumors during breathing cycles, permitting unmatched precision in the delivery of radiation treatment.
“Our care team appreciates the kindness of Gary Dorn and all the generous donors who have stepped up to help us fund this state-of-the-art technology,” said Dr. Lobo. “It will ensure the very best care possible for our cancer patients.”
Successful in both the printing and banking businesses, Gary Dorn is the former chairman and CEO of Bradley Printing Co., and he retired from his last post as chairman of the board at Mount Prospect National Bank in 2006. Since then, he has dedicated himself to volunteer work, as well as to caring for his beloved wife, the late Elsie Dorn, who died of cancer last December. When he chose to make a gift that improves care for cancer patients, Mr. Dorn wanted to honor Elsie’s memory and to recognize the outstanding care she received at NCH.
“Elsie and I both valued our longstanding partnership with NCH, and I want to continue my support for as long as I can,” Dorn said.