The Digestive Health Foundation honored colorectal surgeon Steven Stryker, MD, and his wife Andrea Schwartz at its third annual gala June 9 at the Four Seasons Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Here are four things to know:
1. Over 400 guests attended the gala, raising a record-breaking $2.41 million to support the foundation's work to improve the quality of life for patients at the Northwestern Medicine Digestive Health Center in Chicago.
2. Judith Blazer, a longtime patient of Dr. Stryker, created the $1 million Steven J. Stryker, M.D. Gastrointestinal Surgery, Education and Research Endowment to support surgical trainees pursuing a career in gastrointestinal or colorectal surgery. The endowment was announced at the gala.
3. Dr. Stryker has been a board-certified colorectal surgeon at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago for 33 years. He received his medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and underwent fellowship training at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, Minn.
4. Ms. Schwartz is Macy's vice president of regional media relations, leading teams responsible for developing and executing public relations strategies for nearly 500 stores in 35 states. Gastroenterologist and DHF chief medical advisor Stephen Hanauner, MD, called them the "ultimate power couple."
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