College of Health Professions Distinguished Alumnus Award

2020 Award Recipient

Matthew L. Primack, PT ’99, DPT ’04, MBA

Matthew L. Primack, PT ’99, DPT ’04, MBA, serves as President of Advocate Condell Medical Center, a 300-bed Magnet Level I Trauma Center in Libertyville, IL. Recognized by US News and World Reports and Truven Analytics for multiple national recognitions, Dr. Primack is responsible for executive oversight of the hospital. As part of the Advocate Aurora Health system, a top 10 health system in the nation, he prioritizes safety, quality, and service while continuing to expand key strategic services to the community. Dr. Primack emphasizes efficiency and excellence in operations, improved access for patients, and community partnerships. 

Dr. Primack served as President of Advocate Christ Medical for two years prior to his current position. An 800-bed tertiary/quaternary center serving the southwest side of Chicago, he was responsible for executive oversight of the facility with key initiatives including a perioperative renovation project, a transformational cost reduction implementation, and several violence prevention and workforce development projects. Before joining the leadership team at Advocate Christ, Dr. Primack served as the Vice President of Business Development and Clinical Institutes at Advocate Condell Medical Center where he was responsible for all strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, clinical service lines, and physician alignment initiatives. He started his career by opening a private practice in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation that was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Healthcare and Lake County’s Daily Herald for exemplary patient care and small business success. 

Having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati in Pre-Medicine Biopsychology, Dr. Primack earned a graduate degree from the Chicago Medical School in Physical Therapy, a clinical doctorate from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Physical Therapy, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He completed the American Hospital Association’s Health Care Transformation Senior Fellowship and is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has been appointed to the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business Executive MBA Ambassador’s Board and is both a 2016 Signature Fellow and 2019 Daniel Burnham Executive Fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC). Dr. Primack was recently appointed to the LGC Board of Directors. 

With a passion for the advancement and success of others, he serves as a Healthcare Innovation Advisor to the University of Chicago and mentors graduate students and young careerists. He has advised over 40 healthcare start-ups throughout the country and remains committed to the advancement of healthcare through innovation. Dr. Primack has lectured both regionally and nationally on the advancements of healthcare innovation and cost transformation. He serves on boards of several philanthropic and civic non-profit organizations throughout the Chicagoland area and led state-wide initiatives on violence prevention and work force and economic development.