Explore Alumni Weekend 2026
Welcome back! Alumni Weekend is the cornerstone event for the Medical Alumni Association. Spend the weekend reconnecting with friends and classmates, participate in lectures and tours, explore the campus, and celebrate at class dinners. See you in Chicago!
Please note: Advance registration is required. There is no on-site registration for Alumni Weekend. Registration closes Friday, April 17. You must register prior to Friday, April 17, to be included in any events.
Alumni Weekend 2026 Schedule
Meet in 303
Make the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center (303 East Superior Street) your first stop on campus to pick up registration materials, then plan to return throughout each day to connect with classmates, enjoy refreshments, access Wi-Fi and more. Consider the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center your Alumni Weekend and Reunion Class Headquarters.
Some events and lectures will overlap, so please plan accordingly.
Map of Campus and the Surrounding Area
Please note: MD alumni in reunion year (classes ending in 1s and 6s), PA alumni from the classes of 2016 and 2021, and all MD Half Century Club members (alumni who graduated 50+ years ago) will receive a copy of the Alumni Weekend 2026 brochure in their mailboxes in early January 2026.
Advance registration is required. There is no on-site registration for Alumni Weekend. Registration closes on Friday, April 17. You must register prior to Friday, April 17, to be included in any events.
For more information on which events have associated fees, please see the Alumni Weekend Brochure.
Everyone is welcome at all Alumni Weekend events.
Once you register, your email confirmation will have the list of the events for which you have registered. You also will receive your personalized itinerary with location details at check-in.
**Indicates that this session has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.
Alumni Weekend 2026 Pricing Guide
| Meals and Events (per person) |
EARLYBIRD20 Promo Pricing (January 5–February 28) |
Regular Event Pricing (March 1–April 17) |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | ||
| Mentoring Lunch | $24 | $30 |
| Tea at the Historic Drake Hotel | $40 | $50 |
| All Alumni Welcome Celebration Dinner | $88 | $110 |
| Saturday | ||
| Pancakes and Perspectives Breakfast | $20 | $25 |
| Museum of Contemporary Art | $16 | $20 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | $16 | $20 |
| International Museum of Surgical Science | $16 | $20 |
| Reunion Class, Half Century Club Dinner, Dental School, and Physician Assistant Dinners |
$100 | $125 |
| Young Alumni Reunion Party | $48 | $60 |
| Parking | ||
| Campus Parking | $16 | $20 |
Schedule of Events
Thursday Events
4:30–6:00 p.m.
Alumni Weekend Early Arrival Welcome Reception
W XYZ Bar of the Aloft Chicago Mag Mile Hotel
(243 East Ontario Street)
Arriving early on Thursday? Join us for a drink and appetizers at our welcome reception! Enjoy a fun evening at the W XYZ Bar of the Aloft Chicago Mag Mile Hotel. Registration is required, so be sure to secure your spot!
Please note: Advance registration is required for all Alumni Weekend events. The Welcome Reception is not check-in. Check-in opens Friday morning. If you requested Thursday parking during registration, we will have a parking pass available for you at this event.
Friday Events
8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Check-in
Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
(303 East Superior Street)
Your Alumni Weekend and Reunion Class Headquarters. Stop by to pick up your nametag and your full itinerary, featuring all the events you’re registered for during this weekend and their locations.
Alumni Weekend (AW) Forums
These sessions offer an opportunity to hear from our stellar medical school faculty and staff. Choose from a variety of offerings: health and wellness hot-button issues; the latest in cutting-edge basic science, bench-to-bedside, and clinical research; and timely topics of general personal and professional interest. (**Indicates that the session has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™).
9:00–9:45 a.m.
AW Forum
Development of Targeted Therapies for Patients with Neurological Disorders**
with Dimitri Krainc, MD, PhD, FANA, chair and Aaron Montgomery Ward Professor in the Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology; director of the Feinberg Neuroscience Institute; and president of the American Neurological Association.
9:00–10:30 a.m.
Campus Tour
Tour space is limited. Advance registration is required to participate. Please note: Tours take place rain or shine.
Revisit spots from your days as a student and explore new ones on our campus tours, led by staff or faculty with in-depth knowledge of each site.
Northwestern Simulation Center Tour
Learn how medical students, residents, fellows, nurses, and attending physicians use simulation-based education to practice and acquire technical, communication, and team skills. Northwestern Simulation uses state-of-the-art technology and education best practices to train learners to provide safe and effective patient care. The use of the mastery model is an example in which trainees must meet or exceed a predetermined high level of skill in the simulation center prior to working with patients. The center has become one of the hubs of campus life since opening in 2010.
9:15–11:00 a.m.
City Tour
Tour space is limited. Advance registration is required to participate. Please note: Tours take place rain or shine.
City Walking Tour
Enjoy a walking tour through the neighborhoods around Feinberg. From the medical school campus, we will visit Streeterville and learn about its history, from the first permanent settlement in 1799, to the McCormickville neighborhood in the late nineteenth century, to the present. This walk is approximately 1.5 miles on level sidewalks, with one optional staircase. Please dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes. This tour will be led by alum Joseph Gugenheim, ’72 MD.
9:30–11:00 a.m.
Campus Tour
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Tour
Join us for a tour of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. This academic medical center hospital serves as the primary teaching affiliate for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Northwestern Memorial Hospital is the only hospital ranked No. 1 in Illinois for 14 straight years and is nationally ranked in 11 clinical specialties by U.S. News & World Report, 2025–2026. Anchoring the Northwestern Medicine system, the hospital has earned national recognition in safety, care quality, and excellence in nursing care.
10:00–10:45 a.m.
AW Forums
An Update on AI in Healthcare at Northwestern**
with Abel Kho, MD, MS, FACMI, professor of Medicine and Preventive Medicine; director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine; and co-director of the Northwestern Network for Collaborative Intelligence
Breaking Barriers: Navigating Health Equity across Medical School Eras
Join us for an insightful panel discussion featuring medical professionals from a broad range of life experiences as they share their unique perspectives on the evolving landscape of medical education. From the challenges faced by trailblazers breaking barriers to the evolving landscape of medical education, our panelists will explore how their experiences have shaped the pursuit of health equity for all.
11:00–11:45 a.m.
AW Forums
Navigating the Medical School Admissions Process: What Makes a Great Candidate in Today’s Environment
with Roopal V. Kundu ’97, ’01 MD, ’02 GMER, associate dean for Admissions; the Jacob R. Suker, MD, Professor of Medical Education; and professor of Dermatology and Medical Education
The SuperAging Brain: From Connectivity to Connection**
with Tamar Gefen ’12 MS, ’15 PhD, associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and director of the Northwestern University SuperAging Program in the Mesulam Institute for Cognitive Neurology & Alzheimer’s Disease
12:00–1:15 p.m.
Mentoring Lunch with Feinberg Students and Fellow Alumni
Want to be a mentor? Eager to network with fellow alumni who share your professional interests? If so, this lunch is for you. Enjoy a relaxed buffet lunch with our students, share your insights, and hear others’ perspectives on the healthcare profession and various career paths during this structured yet casual session.
1:30–2:15 p.m.
AW Forum
You Have 3 Billion Heartbeats...It’s Not as Much as You Think**
with Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc, vice dean for Health Equity; the Magerstadt Professor; and chief of the Division of Cardiology
1:30–2:30 p.m.
Campus Tour
Student-Led Medical Campus Tour for Alumni and Their Prospective Applicants
Tour the medical campus and learn what it is like to be a medical student at Feinberg today. Some of the tour highlights include the McGaw Pavilion (the active learning classroom spaces), Montgomery Ward Memorial Building (Augusta Webster, MD, Office of Medical Education, Galter Health Sciences Library and Learning Center, Admissions Office, and Office of Health Equity), Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Center (student lounge area), and other places of interest on the medical campus.
1:30–3:00 p.m.
Campus Tour
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Tour
Join us for a tour of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the No. 1 ranked rehabilitation hospital in the US according to U.S. News & World Report. Experts from the Regenstein Foundation Center for Bionic Medicine and Biologics Lab are among the leaders who will take you behind the scenes to see the research hospital’s translational medicine model in action.
1:45–3:30 p.m.
Tea at the Historic Drake Hotel
Join alumni, faculty, and students for an interactive panel with audience discussion and insights from across the healthcare spectrum.
2:00–3:30 pm
Campus Tour
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Tour
Refer to our Friday 9:30 am listing for a description of this event.
2:30–3:15 p.m.
AW Forum
New Developments in the Treatment of Cancer**
with Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University; the Jesse, Sara, Andrew, Abigail, Benjamin, and Elizabeth Lurie Professor of Oncology; professor of Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics; and associate vice president for Cancer Programs in Northwestern’s Office for Research
Campus Tour
Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Center Tour
The Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center provides critical space for scientists studying cancer, heart disease, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and other priority areas. Its design features a curved glass exterior with flexible floor plans for laboratories. The tower profile references and updates the soaring traditional Gothic buildings on Northwestern’s Chicago campus, presenting a striking profile on the city’s skyline and leading the way for future campus development. The design concept aligns with a vision of the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center as a strong connector at the core of a world-class academic medical district and research campus composed of Feinberg, Northwestern Medicine, the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute—the research arm of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
4:30–8:00 p.m.
Conversations with the Dean followed by Celebrate in Chicago!
Don’t miss this official kickoff to Alumni Weekend. Join Eric G. Neilson, MD, vice president for Medical Affairs and Lewis Landsberg Dean, to hear updates on the medical school and his vision for the future during Conversations with the Dean. There will be ample opportunity for questions. Following Conversations with the Dean, the Distinguished Medical Alumni Award will be presented.
Immediately afterward, gather with your classmates for an evening of connection and celebration during our Celebrate in Chicago event. Join the Medical Alumni Association as we recognize each of our reunion classes and salute the MD Class of 1976—our 50-year class and the newest members of our Half Century Club. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a delicious dinner and dessert buffet.
Saturday Events
7:00–8:00 a.m.
Fun Run/Walk
Head to the Lake Shore Park Running Track (808 North Lake Shore Drive) for a self-guided run or relaxed walk along Lake Michigan (map will be provided). Everyone is invited, no matter your fitness level. Just go at your own pace!
8:00–11:00 a.m.
Late Check-in
Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center (303 East Superior Street)—Your Alumni Weekend and Reunion Class Headquarters
8:00–9:00 a.m.
Pancakes and Perspectives Breakfast
Get ready for a walk down memory lane! Start your day with some morning nourishment and spirited conversation with fellow alumni. During this early morning open mic event, we invite alumni from the 50-year reunion class and beyond to share their perspectives and reflections on their years at the medical school and in the profession since graduation. We welcome ALL alumni to join us for this event.
Complimentary breakfast for alumni members of the Class of 1976 celebrating their 50th reunion and all Half Century Club members.
9:00–9:45 a.m.
AW Forum
Advancing Interventions for Stroke Motor Recovery Leveraging the Academic-Healthsystem Tripartite Partnership in Rehabilitation Services**
with Michael D. Ellis, PT, DPT, professor and associate chair of Translational Research in the Departments of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and director of Translational Rehabilitation Research
9:00–10:00 am
AW Forum
Have Coffee and Conversations with the Half Century Club featuring The History of Abbott Hall
Our Have Coffee and Conversations series is a unique opportunity for you to reconnect with fellow alumni, share your experiences, and enjoy meaningful conversations in a relaxed setting. Our special topic for Alumni Weekend is The History of Abbott Hall.
Rural Vermont was the birthplace of physician Wallace Calvin Abbott and his wife, Clara. A graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School, he and Clara moved to Chicago in 1886 so that he could practice medicine on the Near North Side. He began manufacturing pharmaceuticals in the kitchen of their two-room apartment. Although he became quite wealthy in this business, his love was practicing medicine and making house calls on his bicycle. He and Clara died in the 1920s. The Clara Abbott Foundation provided funding for the construction of Abbott Hall, believed to be the tallest building in the world, serving solely as a student dormitory when it opened in 1940. Through the years, it has served as student housing, barracks for the training of Navy officers, and administrative offices. Join us to learn more about our historic and beloved Abbott Hall.
While the Half Century Club celebrates our 50+ year alumni, we invite ALL alumni and guests to join us for this forum, led by Joseph Gugenheim, ’72 MD.
10:15–11:30 a.m.
AW Forum
Music and Medicine featuring the Northwestern Medical Orchestra**
Enjoy a discussion of Northwestern’s Music and Medicine Program founded in May 2021 by Borna Bonakdarpour, MD, associate professor of Neurology in the Division of Behavioral Neurology, and violist and music practitioner Clara Takarabe. This program brings clinically-oriented music to patients, investigates the efficacy of interventions and their mechanisms of action, and educates the public and trainees. For more information on Dr. Bonakdarpour’s work, visit bornacogneurology.com.
This forum will consist of a short talk, Q&A, and performances by chamber musicians from our Northwestern Medical Orchestra (NMO). The NMO was launched in the spring of 2018 by first-year medical students to provide an instrumental musical experience for members of the Northwestern medical community in downtown Chicago. The group now has 100+ members and holds several concerts every year. To learn more about the NMO, please visit sites.northwestern.edu/nmorchestra. A light reception will follow the forum.
10:00–11:30 a.m.
Campus Tour
Anatomy Lab Tour
On this tour, you will explore the Anatomy Lab, the location for all cadaver-based education for students in our medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant, and prosthetics-orthotics programs, plus anatomy courses for a variety of residency programs. The tour will include demonstrations of the educational technology additions to the labs as they relate to the integration of pathology and radiology for the MD anatomy curriculum. There will be access to our modified resource room, including pathology specimen collections and pieces from the Arey-Krantz collection of prenatal and pathological fetal specimens. Please note: No one under the age of 18 is permitted on this tour.
10:30–11:30 am
Campus Tour
Medicine in History: A Behind the Scenes Tour of Galter Library’s Special Collections
Visit the Galter Library’s Special Collections department, the home of Feinberg’s rare books and historical treasures. The tour will include a showcase of institutional archives and classic texts in the history of medicine, an exhibition on historical approaches to mental healthcare, and a discussion of the history of the Montgomery Ward Memorial Building. The tour will be conducted by Katie Lattal, head of Special Collections at Galter Health Sciences Library and Learning Center.
12:00–1:30 p.m.
Commitment to Scholarships Luncheon
By invitation. Celebrating alumni and friends who have demonstrated a commitment to our current and future medical students through the creation of scholarship funds, this annual luncheon provides a special opportunity for donors to meet the students who are benefiting from their generosity. For more information, please email Olympia Asimacopoulos at olympia1@northwestern.edu.
2:30–3:30 pm
Museum Tour
Tour space is limited. Advance registration is required to participate. Please note: Tours take place rain or shine. No transportation provided.
Museum of Contemporary Art Docent Tour
Enjoy a docent-guided tour designed to navigate the concepts, methods, materials, and ideas that contemporary artists incorporate in their work. The tour will emphasize discovery, interpretation, and conversation.
2:30–4:00 pm
Museum Tours (Self-Guided)
The Art Institute of Chicago Self-Guided Tour
Enjoy a self-guided tour of The Art Institute of Chicago. Explore thousands of artworks in the museum’s wide-ranging collection, from world-renowned icons to lesser-known gems from every corner of the globe. Your personal, pocket-sized guide to the collection, the Art Institute app merges location-aware technology with audio storytelling, letting the art speak to you.
International Museum of Surgical Science Self-Guided Tour
Explore the gripping and sometimes macabre history of surgical science at your own pace with a self-guided tour of the International Museum of Surgical Science. Housed in a historic Lake Shore Drive mansion, you’ll journey through four floors of medical instruments, art, and artifacts, from ancient, trepanned skulls to the dawn of modern medicine. Download the museum’s mobile app for an enhanced experience, complete with an interactive map and exclusive content.
AW Forum
Transforming Medicine: Physicians Leading Change across Healthcare
In an era of rapid advancements and evolving landscapes, physicians are finding new ways to challenge the status quo and drive positive change. Join us as we explore the diverse roles physicians play in transforming healthcare. From developing groundbreaking medical technologies and founding successful startups to leveraging novel platforms and identifying new therapeutic targets, panelists will share their personal experiences and insights on how they see opportunities for physicians looking to make an impact beyond traditional roles in medicine. This thought-provoking discussion will cover topics such as physician entrepreneurship, digital health revolution, policy change, and challenges and opportunities. Don’t miss your chance to hear from inspiring physicians who are at the forefront of healthcare innovation.
5:00–7:00 p.m.
The Founders Society Reception
By invitation. This annual event celebrates and honors members of The Founders Society, our giving society comprised of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who have made leadership-level philanthropic contributions during our current and previous fiscal years, as well as individuals who provided significant volunteer service to the school during that time. Please visit feinberg.northwestern.edu/tfs or email Sarah Kalsbeek at s-kalsbeek@northwestern.edu for more information on joining The Founders Society. Our fiscal year runs from September 1 to August 31.
7:00–9:00 pm
Class Dinners and Photos
Dinner locations near campus to be announced and determined by registration numbers. No on-site registration is available. Advance registration is required to participate. Our professional photographers will be popping in to take group pictures that we will share after the weekend. Dress to impress!
Reunion Class and Half Century Club Dinners
This will be the perfect finale to your weekend! For those marking a milestone reunion, join your classmates to celebrate. For members of our Half Century Club (all alumni past their 50-year reunion), this is a great time to not only eat, drink, and be merry, but also to share stories, take pictures, and continue to connect with old friends and new. Your dinner and drinks are included in the event fee. Select your class year when registering. Alumni from the Class of 1976 should select their 50-year reunion dinner. If you graduated in 1975 or before, please select the Half Century Club dinner.
Dental Alumni Reunion Dinner
Join us for a festive evening of dinner and drinks at our Dental School Alumni Reunion Dinner. This special gathering welcomes alumni from all classes of the Northwestern University Dental School (NUDS), which operated from 1891–2001. Come back to campus to meet with fellow NUDS alums and share stories of the past. Your dinner and drinks are included in the event fee.
Physician Assistant (PA) Program Alumni Dinner
All PA alumni are invited to join this inclusive reunion celebration recognizing the classes of 2016, 2021, and 2025. Event fee includes a two-hour open bar and dinner. For more details and pricing, please email paprogram@northwestern.edu. The PA Department is pleased to offer complimentary dinner for alumni members of the Class of 2025 celebrating their 1st reunion.
Young Alumni Reunion Party at Timothy O’Toole’s (Classes of 2007–2025)
Calling all young alumni! Let’s celebrate the 2011, 2016, and 2021 reunion classes at Timothy O’Toole’s—the spot of late-night hangouts, unforgettable laughs, and the kind of med school stories that only get better with time. Enjoy discounted pricing on this two-hour party with an open bar and delicious appetizers. The fun doesn’t stop there. This party is open to ALL young alumni from the classes of 2007–2025, and guests are welcome too. Don’t miss this chance to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. Your Medical Alumni Association is pleased to underwrite a portion of the event fee to make this celebration affordable for our young alumni.
Reunion Class, Half Century Club, and Young Alumni Reunion Attendees:
Visit the “Find Your Class Year” tab for more information.
Dental Alumni Reunion Dinner Attendees:
For details, please email medalum@northwestern.edu.
Physician Assistant (PA) Program Alumni Dinner Attendees:
Visit the “Find Your Class Year” tab for more information. For details and pricing, please email paprogram@northwestern.edu.
The benefit and services provided by Northwestern University groups are available to all without regard to any category protected by law. The university believes different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds are critical to a dynamic and vibrant university community, and as such, all alumni are welcomed and encouraged to join.
2026 Travel and Accommodations
Find everything you need to plan your trip. We’re excited to offer discounted on-campus parking and room rates at nearby hotels.
Alumni Weekend 2026 Hotel Accommodations
Hotel rooms have been arranged at various local hotels at discounted rates. Please mention Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Alumni Weekend when you make your reservation and call early to ensure availability. Rates are guaranteed until March 30, 2026, or until the room blocks sell out. The rates shown below are per night.
Accessibility
Northwestern University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all events and programs. Accommodations such as sign language interpreters, accessible seating, lactation spaces, adjustments due to dietary needs, and presentation materials in alternate formats are provided upon request. Please contact Emma Wittkowski at medalum@northwestern.edu or 312.503.8012 by Friday, April 17, so that we may accommodate your request. Every reasonable effort will be made to implement accommodations in an effective and timely manner.
Parking
Discounted parking for the weekend is available on campus. The parking pass grants in/out parking privileges for the parking garages listed below. A parking pass is not required for entry into the garages; however, it is required to exit.
Parking is available from 12:00 pm on Thursday, April 30, through 12:00 pm on Sunday, May 3. If you stay past the 12:00 pm validation time on Sunday, May 3, you will be responsible for any additional parking fee accrued past 12:00 pm
Huron Superior (Lot A) Parking Garage
Corner of East Huron Street and North Saint Clair Street
222 East Huron Street | Chicago, IL 60611
Erie Ontario (Lot C & D) Parking Garages
Corner of East Erie Street and North Fairbanks Street
321 East Erie Street | Chicago, IL 60611
Parking Pass Pick-Up
You may park in the garage prior to obtaining your parking pass.
If picking up on Thursday (April 30):
Parking passes will be available for pick-up at the Early Arrival Welcome Reception. (4:30–6:00 p.m. | Aloft Chicago Mag Mile, W XYZ Bar, 243 East Ontario Street | Chicago, IL 60611)
If picking up on Friday (May 1):
Check-in will be in the lobby of Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center (303 East Superior Street | Chicago, IL 60611) from 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
If picking up on Saturday (May 2):
Check-in will be in the lobby of Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center (303 East Superior Street | Chicago, IL 60611) from 8:00–11:00 a.m.
Find Your Class Year
MD Alumni:
Did you graduate with your MD degree in a year ending in a 1 or 6? If so, it’s your reunion year! Find class-specific info below to connect with friends, join your reunion class committee, and find out more about making your class gift.
Half Century Club Members (Alumni Past Their 50-Year Reunion):
We invite all members of our Half Century Club to join us for special programming throughout the weekend including a special Half Century Club dinner, the Pancakes and Perspectives breakfast, a presentation on The History of Abbott Hall as part of our Have Coffee and Conversations series, and many other general interest forums featuring top faculty from Northwestern. For more information, visit the Alumni Weekend “Half Century Club Alumni” webpage below or call 312-503-8012.
Physician Assistant (PA) Program Alumni:
All PA alumni are invited to join this inclusive reunion celebration recognizing the classes of 2016, 2021, and 2025 on Saturday, May 2. The event fee includes a two-hour open bar and dinner. Visit the “Physician Assistant Alumni” Alumni Weekend webpage below for more information. For more details and pricing, please email paprogram@northwestern.edu.
Come Back. Give Back.
Make a Gift
A gift in honor of your reunion supports scholarships, faculty recruitment, ground-breaking research, and unparalleled learning experiences. All gifts made from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026, to any area of the medical school count as a reunion gift and donors will be recognized on the Reunion Honor Roll.
Make your gift today to support the future of medicine:
Make a Reunion Gift
A Class Legacy
Reunion alumni are encouraged to support the legacy of their classes by giving to a class scholarship fund. The MD reunion classes of 1961, 1966, 1971, and 1991 have established endowed class funds at the medical school. For all other MD classes, we invite our alumni to support the legacy of their class by making a gift to anywhere at the medical school in honor of their reunion.
For our PA reunion alumni, please direct your reunion gift to the Physician Assistant Program Scholarship Endowed Fund.
Wherever you decide to give, a gift in honor of Reunion made to any area of the medical school will be celebrated on your Reunion Honor Roll. Please know gifts of $1000+ will qualify you for membership in The Founders Society. For Young Alumni giving levels and more information, please visit The Founders Society website.
Impact
Each year, roughly 70% of our medical students receive scholarships. To support one of our top priorities and secure our place among the nation’s premier institutions, we endeavor to make a Northwestern medical education accessible to the very best students, regardless of their economic background. Your class scholarship will enable more students to reap the benefits of a Northwestern medical education without bearing a significant financial burden. Scholarships also help ensure that our community more accurately reflects the world at large—and that every student benefits from an environment rich with diverse perspectives.
Related Links:
Contact and FAQ
Alumni Weekend 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
Which classes are celebrating their reunions this year?
What are some of the main events that will take place during Alumni Weekend?
- Alumni Weekend forums from our stellar medical school faculty and campus tours.
- Friday evening’s Conversations with the Dean followed by Celebrate in Chicago, our all-alumni welcome reception—the kickoff to the weekend and a great place to start reconnecting with each other. Dress up or dress down.
- Pancakes and Perspectives Breakfast—complimentary admission for alumni members of the class of 1976 celebrating their 50th reunion and all Half Century Club members.
- The Commitment to Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday—celebrating alumni and friends who have demonstrated a commitment to our current and future medical students through the creation of scholarship funds. Meet the students who are supported by scholarships. By invitation only.
- The Founders Society Cocktail Reception on Saturday for leadership-level donors (donors who give $1000 or more each year). By invitation only.
- MD Reunion Class, Dental, and Physician Assistant dinners, and our Young Alumni Reunion Party on Saturday—the perfect finale to your weekend!
- Our Half Century Club (HCC) dinner where you can connect with fellow HCC alums.
Do I have to register in advance?
Yes, advance registration is required for all Alumni Weekend activities. There is no on-site registration for Alumni Weekend. Registration closes on Friday, April 17. You must register prior to Friday, April 17, to be included in any events.
When and where is my class dinner?
Class dinner locations near campus to be announced and determined by registration numbers. Low registration numbers for a class may result in the class dinner being canceled, in which case you will be refunded.
Class dinner locations will be posted on the individual class pages found on the “Find Your Class Year” tab of this website prior to Alumni Weekend. Advance registration is required for these dinners and for all Alumni Weekend events. There is no on-site registration for Alumni Weekend. Registration closes on Friday, April 17. You must register prior to Friday, April 17, to be included in any events.
Which ticket option do I select when registering?
Please refer to the guide below to determine which ticket type to select during Alumni Weekend registration.
- HCC Members
- MD reunion alumni from the classes of 1961, 1966, and 1971 should select “Half Century Club (HCC) Alum and Guest.”
- Non-reunion HCC members should select “Half Century Club (HCC) Alum and Guest.”
- MD Reunion Alumni
- Class of 1976: select “MD Class of 1976 Alum and Guest.”
- Classes of 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021: select “MD Alum and Guest.”
- Other MD Alumni
- All non-reunion MD alumni should select “MD Alum and Guest.”
- MAA Board Members
- MAA Board members should select “MAA Board Member and Guest.”
- Other Alumni Groups
- Dental alumni should select “Dental Alum and Guest.”
- Physician Assistant alumni should select “PA Alum and Guest.”
How do I make a gift in honor of my reunion? Will my name appear on the Reunion Honor Roll?
Many classes have chosen to generously endow a class scholarship in honor of their reunion. The legacy of these classes lives on in perpetuity at the medical school through current and future class scholars. Gifts of any size to class scholarships, or ANY area at the medical school, from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026, will be recognized as a reunion gift and secure your place on the 2026 Reunion Honor Roll. Gifts can be made online, over the phone, or as part of your Alumni Weekend registration. The 2026 Reunion Honor Roll will be posted in September 2026. For more information, please contact Katie Bradshaw Ferris, assistant director of Reunion and Leadership Giving, at katie.ferris@northwestern.edu or 312-503-0111.
My class is not celebrating a major reunion; will there still be things for me to do?
How can I change or add to my registration once it is submitted?
To remove events, cancel a registration, or request a refund, send an email with your request to medalum-reunion@northwestern.edu. Cancellation requests must be received by Friday, April 17, to be entitled to a refund. Sorry, no refunds can be issued after this date.
If something comes up, can I cancel and receive a refund?
We understand that sometimes life interferes with our best-laid plans, so we will accept cancellations.
To remove events, cancel a registration, or request a refund, send an email with your request to medalum-reunion@northwestern.edu. Cancellation requests must be received by Friday, April 17, to be entitled to a refund. Sorry, no refunds can be issued after this date.
If you use a Visa/MasterCard gift card for your registration fee, please keep the gift card until after Alumni Weekend should you need to cancel or be refunded for any reason.
How do I request accessibility accommodations?
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Do I need to print and bring my registration email with me?
Where is check-in located?
In the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center (303 East Superior Street).
Please note: Check-in opens Friday morning. The Alumni Weekend Early Arrival Welcome Reception on Thursday is not check-in. If you requested Thursday parking during registration, we will have a parking pass available for you at this event.
Where can I pick up my nametag and itinerary if I didn't make it to check-in?
Do I have to bring my nametag to every event?
Yes, please wear your nametag to every event. We will prepare one nametag for the weekend.
Can I get CME credit for attending Alumni Weekend programming?
How do I take advantage of discounted campus parking?
Discounted parking for the weekend is available on campus when registering. The parking pass grants in/out parking privileges for the parking garages listed below. A parking pass is not required for entry into the garages; however, it is required to exit.
Parking is available from 12:00 pm on Thursday, April 30, through 12:00 pm on Sunday, May 3. If you stay past the 12:00 pm validation time on Sunday, May 3, you will be responsible for any additional parking fee accrued past 12:00 pm
Huron Superior (Lot A) Parking Garage
Corner of East Huron Street and North Saint Clair Street
222 East Huron Street | Chicago, IL 60611
Erie Ontario (Lot C & D) Parking Garages
Corner of East Erie Street and North Fairbanks Street
321 East Erie Street | Chicago, IL 60611
Parking Pass Pick-Up
You may park in the garage prior to obtaining your parking pass.
If picking up on Thursday (April 30):
Parking passes will be available for pick-up at the Early Arrival Welcome Reception. (4:30–6:00 p.m. | Aloft Chicago Mag Mile, W XYZ Bar, 243 East Ontario Street | Chicago, IL 60611)
If picking up on Friday (May 1):
Check-in will be in the lobby of Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center (303 East Superior Street | Chicago, IL 60611) from 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
If picking up on Saturday (May 2):
Check-in will be in the lobby of Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center (303 East Superior Street | Chicago, IL 60611) from 8:00–11:00 a.m.
To see where to park, download the map.
What is the dress code for the weekend?
Will the bookstore be open?
Yes, the Abbott Hall bookstore will be open during Alumni Weekend. Bookstore Hours are:
- Thursday, April 30—10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Friday, May 1—10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 2—9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Be sure to visit the bookstore to pick up some medical school swag items and use your special 10% off coupon! Coupon available for pick up with your weekend itinerary at check-in, as well as at the Alumni Relations table in the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center (303 East Superior Street) during Alumni Weekend check-in hours.
Will there be photos taken during Alumni Weekend?
Yes, photographers will be at most of our events. Please note, a class photo will be taken at each of the Saturday evening dinners. The select photographs will be available after Alumni Weekend, and all reunion class attendees will receive a copy of their class photo.
**This event is being digitally recorded and/or photographed. By attending, you acknowledge and agree to grant Northwestern University the right to digitally record, film, photograph, or capture your likeness in any media now available or hereafter developed and to distribute, broadcast, use, or otherwise disseminate such media in perpetuity without any further approval from you or any payment to you.**
Questions? Contact Us!
For general inquiries, please contact:
Medical Alumni Association
medalum@northwestern.edu
312-503-8012
For changes to your registration, cancellations, or refund requests, please contact:
Special Events Team
medalum-reunion@northwestern.edu
Please note: All requests must be received prior to Friday, April 17.
For questions about MD reunion and class funds, please contact:
Katie Bradshaw Ferris
Assistant Director, Reunions & Leadership Giving
katie.ferris@northwestern.edu
312-503-0111