FOURTH-GENERATION PHILANTHROPIST

Maddie Dugan—granddaughter of A.B. Dick Jr.— continues a proud family legacy of giving through her work on the Women’s Board of Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital scholarship committee.

WHEN A 14-YEAR-OLD MADELEINE “Maddie” Bronson Dugan began working as a candy striper at Lake Forest Hospital back in 1965, she admits to being somewhat oblivious to the role her family had in building the state-of-the-art facility.

In her mind, she was merely following in the footsteps of her mother, Helen Dick Bronson, and grandmother Helen Aldrich Dick—who had been volunteering at this hospital and at Rush Presbyterian Hospital for decades.

Dugan says she was probably in her 20s when she learned that it was her own grandfather—A.B. Dick Jr.—who convinced her great-grandmother to donate 60 acres of the family’s estate on Deerpath Road, Westmoreland Farm, to build a new hospital for the people of Lake Forest.

“I didn’t really know the history of the property and the family’s gift when I was working as a candy striper,” says Dugan, who continues to serve what is now Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital as a volunteer and as a member of its Women’s Board. “That was just a thing to do when you are a teenager in Lake Forest. I started at 14 and continued on vacations from boarding school and college. When I came back in 1976, I started up again and have been at it ever since.”

One of Dugan’s passion projects is helping future health care professionals through the Women’s Board scholarship committee. Among the five scholarships being offered for 2026 is one established in 1952 in honor of her late grandfather, A.B. Dick Jr., and another established in 2009 in memory of her mother, Helen Dick Bronson.

“My family has been involved in this scholarship program since it started over 60 years ago,” says Dugan, who joined the Women’s Board in 1977. “In that time, these funds have helped countless employees and community members pursue advanced degrees in various medical fields. My vision is to see it continue to grow to help even more students.”

Scholarships are made possible through private donations and fundraisers such as the annual spring benefit being held April 18 at Shore Acres Country Club.

“These financial gifts were created to promote the education of young men and women who want to go into medicine,” says Dugan. “We’ve also been able to help staff who wanted to further their education and get more advanced degrees in nursing, radiology, or medicine and that’s been wonderful too.”

While funds are awarded based on need and merit within specific guidelines for each scholarship, Dugan cites two examples when the recipients had a meaningful personal connection to her family.

“A couple of staff members in the cancer department who took care of my mother when she was struggling with cancer subsequently applied for scholarships and it was wonderful to be able to help them,” she explains. “And then this last year, we gave the Helen Dick Bronson scholarship in my mother’s memory to the daughter of a physical therapist who helped rehabilitate me when I had my knees replaced. I recognized the name and realized who she was. She was very deserving of the scholarship so I was very happy to give it to someone we knew.”

In addition to her work on the scholarship committee, Dugan volunteers at the front desk of the hospital one day each week—greeting patients, pushing wheelchairs, and answering questions as they arise. Her cousin, John Dick, is also involved with the Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital at the board level. His father, A.B. Dick, III, was on the board of directors and served as president of the board for many years.

It’s a family legacy she’s proud to continue.

“I never knew my great-grandparents and my grandfather died when I was 3. But I knew my grandmother and her philanthropic work very well,” says Dugan, who has also held board positions for other community organizations, including Allendale Shelter Club, Elawa Farm Foundation, and the History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff. “I remember her volunteering in the Rush gift shop every week. She also hosted Lake Forest Hospital Women’s Board teas at her home on Lake Road. We were always involved in Lake Forest Hospital on all levels and these are memories I hold dear.”

---

Building A Healthier Tomorrow

Five 2026 scholarships offered by the Woman’s Board of Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital help fund health care careers.

Since its founding more than 75 years ago, the Women’s Board of Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest has awarded more than 1,150 higher education scholarships to employees, their children, and Lake Forest Hospital volunteers who are pursuing careers in the health care field.

The deadline to apply for the following 2026 scholarships is February 15.

• The A. B. Dick Jr. Scholarship, established in 1952, is named for the first chairman of Lake Forest Hospital Board of Directors. These scholarship awards range from $1,500 to $2,000 for each recipient.

• The Marion Warner Hodgkins Scholarship was established in honor of the first president and founder of the Women’s Board. This scholarship awards up to $5,000 to a scholarship applicant who shows exceptional talent and promise.

• The Helen Dick Bronson Scholarship was established in 2009 in memory of the daughter of A. B. Dick Jr., Helen Dick Bronson. An amount from $2,500 to $4,000 will be awarded to a scholarship applicant who is currently employed at Lake Forest Hospital.

• The Christina Schulte Fisher Scholarship was established in 2007 to honor the exceptional volunteer service of Mrs. Fisher. These scholarships each range in amount from $1,750 to $3,500 and are awarded to as many as three recipients per year.

• The Susan Thomas Skinner Scholarship was established in 2024 to honor Sue and her commitment to Lake Forest Hospital and the community. Sue serves as an honorary member of the Women’s Board. Recipients of these scholarships will be awarded up to $5,000.

Applicants are advised to submit only one application as the committee will determine which scholarships are the best match. Two reference forms are required along with the application.

For more information, visit lfhwomensboard.nm.org/scholarships.