Northwestern Medicine Commits $75,000 to Egyptian Theatre

The Egyptian Theatre in Downtown DeKalb is proud to announce that Northwestern Medicine has committed $25,000 per year over the next three years at the historic theatre.

“The Egyptian Theatre is a cultural icon of this community and we are pleased to provide this support,” said Jay Anderson, president of Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital. “The Egyptian has a wonderful cultural impact within our community and beyond, benefiting people in this entire region.”

Egyptian Theatre Board President Dan Schewe accepted the check from Northwestern Medicine and thanked them for their support. “The Egyptian Theatre has been on a positive growth path for a number of years,” Schewe said. “This community support will allow the Theatre to further our mission and take our impact to new heights.”

Alex Nerad, Egyptian Theatre executive director, spoke about the impact of Northwestern Medicine’s support: “We’re having conversations about integrating the arts further into the local healthcare system.” Nerad continued, “Americans for the Arts, a national organization, has done extensive research that demonstrates that creative arts in healthcare can contribute to many different positive outcomes. We’re excited to explore this partnership and look forward to collaborating on programs for the community.”

Once one of over one hundred Egyptian Theatres throughout the United States, today the Egyptian in DeKalb is one of only seven remaining and is the only one east of the Rocky Mountains. With 1,400 seats, the Egyptian Theatre is host to a variety of events every year, including host to over 30 different community organizations.

Northwestern Medicine provides world class care near where their patients live and work in DeKalb County. The local Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center has an existing relationship with the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute designated center that earned a number one ranking in Illinois and the Chicago Metro Region.  An emerging relationship with the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute brings cardiovascular services ranked sixth in the nation to our local patients. For more information about Northwestern Medicine, visit nm.org.

The Egyptian Theatre, located at 135 N. 2nd Street in Downtown DeKalb, IL is owned and operated by Preservation of Egyptian Theatre, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  For more information on upcoming events, to make a donation, or to volunteer visit the Egyptian Theatre website at http://www.egyptiantheatre.org.

PHOTO: From left to right: Dan Schewe Egyptian Theatre Board President, Alex Nerad Egyptian Theatre Executive Director and Jay Anderson President Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital.