Health, Wellness & Fitness at Navy Pier

Together through our partnership, Navy Pier and Northwestern Medicine continue to make a tangible impact on the health and well-being of our community through the Wellness Way fitness trail, promoting the world-class medical care Northwestern offers, and hosting collaborative events.

The team at Northwestern Medicine is committed to building stronger communities by helping remove barriers to better health. Northwestern Medicine’s commitment is fueled through three pillars: access to care, economic and workforce development, and community engagement. We are honored to see them fulfill this promise across Chicagoland and at Navy Pier.

Access to Care

Northwestern Medicine is committed to building stronger communities by helping to remove barriers to better health. The health system delivers world-class, culturally competent care regardless of ability to pay, race, age, gender, sexuality or any other social factor, in the communities where patients live and work.

Northwestern Medicine has launched first-in-the-nation programs specifically for patients who have been historically underserved, including LGBTQ patients and those who are at high risk of poor health outcomes. In addition, it maintains community partnerships with several organizations that care for patients with barriers to care due to low income and/or insufficient health insurance. In fiscal year 2021, Northwestern Medicine provided nearly $80 million in charity care for those who could not afford medical care.

Economic and Workforce Development

Northwestern Medicine is the third-largest private employer in Illinois. It invests in the communities it serves by employing residents who reflect the diversity of the community. It also provides innovative training, education and development opportunities that help drive local economic growth. Northwestern Medicine continues to actively look for ways to partner with Navy Pier and other organizations to participate in job fairs and workforce conventions.

Since 2018, Northwestern Medicine has had a 90% increase in hiring from Chicago communities that have been historically under-resourced, and it spent $4.8 million in fiscal year 2021 on goods and services from businesses in Chicago communities that have experienced disinvestment. In addition to these efforts, Northwestern Medicine offers college scholarships, and it supports initiatives for veterans transitioning out of the military. The health system continues to find new ways to encourage economic and workforce development. Learn more here.

Community Engagement

Northwestern Medicine supports initiatives that reduce violence, address trauma and build safer communities. A part of this initiative includes an educational tour at Navy Pier. The Northwestern Medicine Experience Tour stops by the Promenade in Polk Bros Park. During this free program, Northwestern Medicine staff members connect with families through engaging activities. This includes a life-size “Operation” game to share fun facts about Northwestern Medicine, MyNM® app demos, Tiny Researchers activity for kids, educational information about health, and more.

Get Involved

Northwestern Medicine Wellness Way Fitness Trail is open to the public 24/7 weather permitting and encircles the historic lakefront destination. The Wellness Way outdoor walking path is 1.5 miles, and features distance checkpoints and fitness tips. Starting and ending in Polk Bros Park, guests can exercise by walking, jogging or running along the waterfront while learning healthy tips from Northwestern Medicine HealthBeat via QR codes found on the quarter-mile markers along the Pier’s South and North Docks. Wellness Way was also used for Navy Pier’s first ever 5K race.