Lecture Series: Longevity and Healthy Aging

Please join us at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, for “Human Longevity & Healthy Aging,” a presentation by Baljash Cheema, M.D., Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist at Chicago’s Northwestern University. Dr. Cheema’s presentation is the latest in the 2026 Medical Center Lecture Series and will take place at the Cultural Center Theatre.

Dr. Cheema’s interest in advancing overall well-being and his knowledge of Artificial Intelligence (AI) led to his role as Director of AI at the Human Longevity Lab at Northwestern’s Potocsnak Longevity Institute. He is an active research team member within a cross-sectional study that is exploring biomarkers of aging and longevity. He leads all AI-related efforts within the study.

He also is Medical Director of the Human Longevity Clinic where he leads a team of longevity physicians in orchestrating and administering a comprehensive testing program to measure the effects of aging on individuals. He provides personalized recommendations to promote healthspan — the period of time one can expect to spend in good health — before the onset of disability, frailty or disease.

Clinically, Dr. Cheema is focused on providing excellent cardiovascular care to patients, including those who require heart transplantation or heart pumps, as well as those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

He is deeply interested in the utilization of AI and machine learning to enhance the field of medicine and has pursued additional education in both clinical research and AI. To those ends he has earned Master of Science degrees in Clinical Investigation and AI.

Please join us for a cocktail reception with Dr. Cheema following his presentation. This lecture is graciously sponsored by Healthnetwork Foundation. Please mark your calendar for the final installment in this season’s Lecture Series on Tuesday, April 7, when Dr. Guenther Koehne of Miami Cancer Institute/Baptist Health South Florida will speak about “Stem Cell & Immunotherapy: Miami Cancer Institute’s Global Journey.” His lecture also will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Cultural Center Theatre. Check out the Lecture Series page for more information about current and past lectures.