NorthShore Names Inaugural Holder of Neaman Family Chair
NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) has named Jason L. Koh, MD, MBA, the inaugural holder of the Mark R. Neaman Family Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery, the result of a $1 million legacy gift generously donated by Mark and Susan Neaman of Lake Forest, Ill.
Dr. Koh - an internationally recognized orthopaedic surgeon - has been with NorthShore since 2009 and serves as the Department Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery, Director of the NorthShore Orthopaedic Institute, and is a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.
The Neaman family gift reflects not only their gratitude for the exceptional orthopaedic care NorthShore has provided historically, but also supports the NorthShore vision for highly advanced orthopaedic services across the Chicago region. NorthShore is nationally recognized as a high-performing health system in complex orthopaedic procedures, and this gift will support the clinical and research aspirations for orthopaedics in the future. The naming of the endowed chair not only acknowledges the Neaman family's generosity, but also honors the transformative leadership of Mark Neaman, whose distinguished career at NorthShore spans four decades, including 26 years as President and Chief Executive Officer.
"Susan and I are delighted to recognize the extraordinary work of Dr. Koh and the expert team at NorthShore Orthopaedic Institute," Neaman said. "There's an increasing need to invest in exceptional orthopaedic care, technology and research for the future so that patients affected by musculoskeletal issues can regain active and healthy lives. My family and friends have benefited greatly from the extraordinary care provided at NorthShore, and our hope is that this gift inspires others to consider their own philanthropic priorities."
As a highly respected surgeon and researcher, Dr. Koh has achieved an international reputation for his research in tissue repair and regeneration, shoulder surgery, and sports medicine - applying novel clinical approaches to repairing damaged soft tissue through regenerative medicine. He and his team are using an individual's own cells to grow new cartilage in the lab that is then implanted into the patient's injured joints. As a result, patient recovery time is quicker than with traditional treatment methods, and more patients are fully able to return to previous levels of activity, pain-free.
"I am honored and extremely grateful to receive this endorsement from Mark and Susan," Dr. Koh said. "The donors and I share a deep appreciation for the transformative power of medicine, and the value to all those we are privileged to serve. It is my honor to lead a superb team in an environment that supports the development and delivery of transformational treatments for our patients. This generous donation from the Neaman family will enable NorthShore to continue defining the future of medicine. Philanthropy is vital to our vision for the NorthShore Orthopaedic Institute."
Dr. Koh graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins, followed by an internship at Massachusetts General Hospital. He completed an orthopaedic surgery residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, and a fellowship in sports medicine at Cleveland Clinic. He has contributed to more than 70 published papers and 17 book chapters, and has lectured nationally and internationally. His research has been recognized with multiple awards, and he has been recognized as a "Top Doctor" by his peers.
NorthShore University HealthSystem is an integrated healthcare delivery system consistently ranked as a Top 15 Teaching Hospital in the U.S. The NorthShore system, headquartered in Evanston, IL, includes four hospitals - Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie. NorthShore also includes a 900 physician multispecialty group practice, NorthShore Medical Group, located in over 100 locations in the Chicagoland area. NorthShore is a Magnet recognized organization, the first in Illinois to receive this prestigious honor as an entire system that demonstrates excellence in nursing and high standards in patient care. The system also supports the NorthShore Research Institute; the NorthShore Foundation; and the NorthShore Home & Hospice Services. In addition to launching Be Well Lake County, a community health initiative committed to providing greater access to comprehensive care, NorthShore contributes more than $210 million in charitable care and services to the communities it serves.