Northwestern Medicine Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Northwestern Medicine has 10 executives leading key functions including clinical operations, financial strategy, medical staff governance, and information technology.

Committed to advancing patient outcomes through academic excellence, Northwestern Medicine integrates research and clinical care to provide world-class healthcare services across the Chicagoland region.

Leadership Roles at Northwestern Medicine

  • Chief Financial Officer - John Urbelis
  • Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Region (West) - Dan Bunnell
  • Chief Operating Officer, Pharmacy Inventory Control - Amanda Madick
  • President, Medical Staff - Bahram Ghaderi
  • President, Medical Staff - Scott Helm
  • President - Maura O'Toole
  • Chief of Staff - Amanda Clarke
  • Medical Director & Chief of Staff - Robert Rivers
  • Director - Information Technology Chief of Staff - Northwestern Medicine - Susan Feeley
  • Chief Medical Officer - Jeremiah Placido
  • John Urbelis - Chief Financial Officer

    John Urbelis, the Chief Financial Officer at Northwestern Medicine, directs the fiscal strategy for the entire academic healthcare network. Urbelis oversees capital allocation, revenue cycle management, and long-term financial planning to sustain the growth of hospitals and outpatient centers. By analyzing market trends and operational costs, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the system maintains the necessary resources for cutting-edge clinical research and advanced medical technology. John Urbelis collaborates with the executive team to balance fiscal responsibility with the commitment to high-quality patient care. This leadership position requires precise management of budgetary frameworks to support the expansion of primary care clinics throughout the region. Through disciplined financial stewardship, Urbelis secures the economic foundation of the organization, allowing Northwestern Medicine to continue delivering superior healthcare services while navigating the complexities of the modern medical landscape.

    Dan Bunnell - Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Region (West)

    Dan Bunnell, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Region (West) at Northwestern Medicine, manages the financial health of operations within the western territory. Bunnell oversees regional budgeting, cost-containment strategies, and resource allocation for hospitals and clinics located in this specific geographic sector. By monitoring financial performance metrics, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Region (West) ensures that regional facilities operate with maximum efficiency while maintaining high standards of patient care. Dan Bunnell collaborates with system-wide leadership to align regional fiscal goals with the broader mission of the organization. This role involves identifying opportunities for operational improvement and capital investment to support the growth of primary care services. Through strategic financial oversight, Bunnell strengthens the market position of Northwestern Medicine, ensuring that the western region contributes effectively to the overall success of the integrated academic healthcare system.
    Dan Bunnell

    Amanda Madick - Chief Operating Officer, Pharmacy Inventory Control

    Amanda Madick, the Chief Operating Officer, Pharmacy Inventory Control at Northwestern Medicine, manages the supply chain and pharmaceutical logistics for the entire healthcare network. Madick oversees the procurement, storage, and distribution of medications to ensure that hospitals and clinics maintain adequate inventory levels for patient treatment. As the Chief Operating Officer, Pharmacy Inventory Control, Madick implements automated tracking systems to reduce waste and improve operational efficiency. This role involves coordinating with clinical departments to anticipate medication needs and mitigate supply chain disruptions. Amanda Madick ensures that pharmacy operations adhere to strict regulatory standards while supporting the delivery of advanced medical care. By optimizing inventory management, the Chief Operating Officer, Pharmacy Inventory Control contributes to the financial and operational stability of Northwestern Medicine. Through rigorous oversight of pharmaceutical logistics, Madick enables the organization to provide consistent, high-quality care across all facilities.

    Bahram Ghaderi - President, Medical Staff

    Bahram Ghaderi, the President, Medical Staff at Northwestern Medicine, represents the interests of the physician community within the academic healthcare system. Ghaderi facilitates communication between the medical staff and hospital administration to ensure that clinical perspectives inform organizational decision-making. As the President, Medical Staff, Ghaderi oversees the credentialing process and promotes professional development among practitioners. This role involves advocating for resources that support advanced surgical procedures and primary care excellence. Bahram Ghaderi works to maintain a culture of collaboration and accountability among the medical team. By aligning the goals of the physicians with the mission of Northwestern Medicine, the President, Medical Staff ensures that the organization continues to deliver high-quality care. Through active engagement with the medical community, Ghaderi strengthens the internal governance of the system, supporting the overall objective of providing comprehensive medical services to the Chicagoland population.
    Bahram Ghaderi

    Scott Helm - President, Medical Staff

    Scott Helm, the President, Medical Staff at Northwestern Medicine, focuses on the operational integration of clinical departments to enhance patient care delivery. Helm manages the coordination of specialized medical teams, ensuring that surgical and primary care services operate with maximum efficiency. As the President, Medical Staff, Helm oversees the implementation of quality improvement initiatives that directly impact patient safety and satisfaction. This role involves working closely with department heads to standardize clinical practices across the network. Scott Helm drives the adoption of new medical technologies and research findings into routine practice. By fostering a collaborative environment, the President, Medical Staff ensures that the medical team remains aligned with the strategic goals of Northwestern Medicine. Through the effective management of clinical staff resources, Helm supports the organization's commitment to providing world-class healthcare services and maintaining its status as a top-ranked academic medical system.

    Maura O'Toole - President

    Maura O'Toole, the President at Northwestern Medicine, provides executive leadership for the entire integrated academic healthcare system. O'Toole oversees the strategic direction of hospitals, outpatient centers, and primary care clinics, ensuring that the organization fulfills its mission of delivering comprehensive medical care. As the President, O'Toole manages the alignment of clinical research with patient service delivery to maintain the system's top-ranked status. This role involves coordinating with the board and other C-suite leaders to drive growth and operational excellence across the Chicagoland region. Maura O'Toole monitors the overall performance of the network, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support advanced surgical procedures and medical innovation. Through visionary leadership, the President guides Northwestern Medicine toward achieving long-term sustainability and excellence in healthcare. By fostering a culture of quality and service, O'Toole ensures that the organization remains a cornerstone of the regional medical community.

    Amanda Clarke - Chief of Staff

    Amanda Clarke, the Chief of Staff at Northwestern Medicine, coordinates executive initiatives to ensure operational alignment across the integrated academic healthcare system. Clarke manages high-level administrative workflows, facilitating communication between clinical leadership and the board to support the delivery of advanced surgical procedures and primary care. By streamlining internal processes, the Chief of Staff enables the organization to maintain its status as a top-ranked provider in the Chicagoland area. Amanda Clarke monitors the execution of strategic goals, ensuring that hospital resources remain focused on patient-centered outcomes and clinical research excellence. This role involves constant collaboration with department heads to optimize administrative efficiency. Through rigorous oversight of organizational priorities, the Chief of Staff drives the mission of Northwestern Medicine forward, ensuring that all operational facets support the broader goal of providing comprehensive medical care to the community.

    Robert Rivers - Medical Director & Chief of Staff

    Robert Rivers, the Medical Director & Chief of Staff at Northwestern Medicine, governs clinical standards and administrative coordination within the academic healthcare system. Rivers oversees the integration of medical protocols across hospitals and outpatient centers, ensuring that patient care aligns with the latest research from the Feinberg School of Medicine. As the Medical Director & Chief of Staff, Robert Rivers manages the interface between clinical practitioners and administrative leadership to optimize service delivery. This role involves establishing rigorous quality benchmarks for surgical procedures and primary care initiatives. By fostering a culture of clinical excellence, Rivers ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of medical innovation. Through the alignment of medical staff objectives with institutional goals, the Medical Director & Chief of Staff maintains the high standards of care that define the reputation of Northwestern Medicine in the competitive Chicagoland healthcare market.

    Susan Feeley - Director - Information Technology Chief of Staff - Northwestern Medicine

    Susan Feeley, the Director - Information Technology Chief of Staff - Northwestern Medicine at Northwestern Medicine, architects the digital infrastructure supporting the academic healthcare system. Feeley manages the alignment of IT initiatives with clinical and administrative requirements, ensuring that data systems facilitate seamless patient care and research activities. As the Director - Information Technology Chief of Staff - Northwestern Medicine, Feeley oversees the implementation of advanced technology solutions across hospitals and outpatient centers. This role involves coordinating cross-functional teams to enhance cybersecurity, data integrity, and system interoperability. Susan Feeley drives the digital transformation strategy, enabling clinicians to access critical information efficiently. By optimizing the technological landscape, the Director - Information Technology Chief of Staff - Northwestern Medicine supports the mission of Northwestern Medicine to provide cutting-edge medical services. Through consistent innovation in IT governance, Feeley ensures that the organization remains a leader in the digital healthcare space.

    Jeremiah Placido - Chief Medical Officer

    Jeremiah Placido, the Chief Medical Officer at Northwestern Medicine, directs the clinical strategy and quality assurance programs for the academic healthcare system. Placido oversees the performance of medical staff across all hospitals and outpatient centers, ensuring that patient care meets the highest standards of safety and efficacy. As the Chief Medical Officer, Placido collaborates with the Feinberg School of Medicine to integrate clinical research into daily practice. This role involves establishing evidence-based protocols for surgical procedures and primary care. Jeremiah Placido monitors clinical outcomes to identify areas for improvement and innovation. By fostering a collaborative environment among physicians, the Chief Medical Officer ensures that Northwestern Medicine remains a leader in medical excellence. Through the strategic management of clinical operations, Placido drives the organization toward achieving superior patient health outcomes and maintaining its reputation as a premier healthcare provider in the region.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Northwestern Medicine Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Northwestern Medicine?
    Northwestern Medicine is led by John Urbelis (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Dan Bunnell (Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Region (West)) and Amanda Madick (Chief Operating Officer, Pharmacy Inventory Control).
    Who is part of Northwestern Medicine’s executive team?
    The executive team of Northwestern Medicine includes leaders such as John Urbelis (Chief Financial Officer), Dan Bunnell (Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Region (West)), Amanda Madick (Chief Operating Officer, Pharmacy Inventory Control) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Northwestern Medicine have?
    Northwestern Medicine has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Northwestern Medicine’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Northwestern Medicine includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Region (West), Chief Operating Officer, Pharmacy Inventory Control, President, Medical Staff, President, Medical Staff.