Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital has opened two new patient pavilions as part of an expansion project aimed at meeting increased demand and improving access to advanced medical care in the northern suburbs. The expansion adds about 290,000 square feet of space, introducing 96 medical-surgical beds and 18 observation beds. This development nearly doubles the hospital’s previous capacity, providing all private rooms for patients.
“This expansion reflects our continued commitment to providing exceptional care close to home,” said Seamus Collins, president of Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital. “With more space, advanced capabilities, and a broader range of services, we are better equipped than ever to bring the world class care of Northwestern Medicine to patients across the area.”
A key feature of the expanded facility is a new emergency department with additional diagnostic imaging options such as x-ray, CT, and ultrasound. This upgrade is designed to manage growing patient volumes and improve emergency evaluations and treatment efficiency.
The hospital has also received state approval for a cardiac surgery program. This will allow patients in the area to undergo advanced cardiovascular procedures locally rather than traveling to Northwestern Medicine’s downtown campus. These new procedures are expected to start in late 2026 or early 2027. The expansion supports growth in specialized services as well.
“Advancing cardiac care at Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital is not just about expanding services, it’s about elevating the standard of heart care for every patient who walks through our doors,” said Ian Cohen, MD, Charles and Barbara Strang Medical Director of Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital. “By integrating cutting‑edge technologies with a highly coordinated, patient‑centered approach, we are ensuring that our community has access to the most advanced cardiovascular treatments available closer to home.”
To address increased activity at the hospital, a parking structure completed in 2024 now provides 894 additional spaces for patients and staff.
Beyond clinical improvements, the design of the new pavilions includes native landscaping and walking paths intended to create a therapeutic environment.
“We are proud of what this expansion represents—not only for our hospital, but for the communities we serve,” Collins said. “As we enter this next chapter, we continue to bring the clinical power of Northwestern Medicine to our residents, while still honoring our community roots. Our mission remains on delivering the highest quality care with compassion, innovation, and excellence.”
Northwestern Medicine operates under its parent organization Northwestern Memorial HealthCare (https://news.nm.org/) and is recognized nationally for its commitment to physician well-being programs and humanitarian awards honoring community service (https://news.nm.org/). As a leading academic health system based in Chicago (https://news.nm.org/), it focuses on delivering top-quality patient care through education and research initiatives while engaging in collaborations that advance clinical research (https://news.nm.org/). The organization emphasizes world-class care through a mission centered on patient care, education, and research (https://news.nm.org/). Howard B. Chrisman serves as president and chief executive officer (https://news.nm.org/).
For more information about the expansion or available services at Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, visit their campus development page.
