About the Husmans
Born and reared in Chicago, David Husman, J.D., is the founder and chairman of Heartland Real Estate Partners and has more than 65 years of real estate, banking, and principal investing experience. He attended the University of Illinois at Navy Pier and graduated from law school at DePaul University. David was also a co-founder and former board member of both the Affiliated Bank Group and MB Financial, Inc., one of the largest commercial banks in Chicago, which later became Fifth Third Bank.
David met his wife, Cathy, in 2000 and the couple were married in Chicago, Illinois in 2003. Cathy, mother to one daughter, served as executive vice president for the Hard Rock Cafes. She later owned and operated two prominent restaurants in Chicago: Old Carolina Crab House and Widow Newton's Tavern.
After getting married, the couple were inseparable-they traveled extensively, visiting 57 countries. They worked together in the real estate industry and enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren.
Making an Impact
David and Cathy developed ties to NSU after Cathy was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2021. They were referred to Eduardo Locatelli, M.D., M.P.H., neurologist and founding director of the NSU Health Neuroscience Institute and ALS Center in 2022.
“Dr. Locatelli is a true scientist,” Husman said. “He’s not financially motivated. He is a true humanitarian. What he did to treat my wife was more than exemplary, and I have full confidence in his leadership of the ALS Center at NSU.”
Through David and Cathy’s extraordinary generosity, the NSU Health Neuroscience Institute and ALS Center are positioned for preeminence. The world class clinical researchers at NSU Health, in partnership with philanthropists like the Husmans, are partnering to make yours a healthier world for NSU, pALS, and beyond.
Give to NSU
It was his and his wife’s experience interacting with Dr. Locatelli and his staff that endeared NSU to the Husman family and is the driving force for their support of our university. Sadly, Mrs. Husman succumbed to the disease, but her spirit will live on in the work her family will now support at NSU.
Dr. Harry K. Moon, M.D., FACS, FRCSEd | President & CEO, Nova Southeastern University
A Brain Center with Heart and Soul
Thanks to a generous gift from the Husmans, the Neuroscience Institute will be named the David and Cathy Husman Neuroscience Institute at NSU Health. The Institute is focused on providing comprehensive and compassionate care to patients with neurological disorders, understanding the health impact—physical, mental, and emotional—of living with a neurological disorder. Areas of expertise include ALS, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, epilepsy, back and spine pain, and more.
Finding New Ways to Help
To honor her memory, the ALS Center at the NSU Health Neuroscience Institute will be named the Cathy J. Husman ALS Center at NSU Health. An ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence, the center provides specialty care for patients diagnosed with ALS. Its multidisciplinary team approach assesses the patient from head-to-toe to ensure all aspects of the disease are addressed including physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Here, You’ll Feel Better
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