Masters of Ceremonies

Art Norman

Art Norman is a special contributor to NBC 5 News.  His signature segment “Art Norman’s Chicago” airs bi-weekly on NBC 5 News at 5PM.   These stories feature extraordinary people making a difference in their communities across the Chicago area.

During his career, Norman has received many honors for journalistic excellence. Most recently he received an Emmy Award for his contribution to NBC5's coverage of the Chicago Auto Show special.  He has also won Emmys for his spot news coverage of the Fox River Grove Bus Crash. His series "Cops and Robbers," which uncovered secret files on police officers with criminal records, was honored with two prestigious awards: a national Investigative Reporters and Editors Award and a 1992-93 Associated Press Award for "Best Investigative Reporting."

He also received a 1989 Chicago Emmy Award for his contributions to NBC5's coverage of the Laurie Dann spot news story. He was an integral part of NBC5's coverage of the Beirut hostage crisis, providing comprehensive reports on the fate of Geneva and St. Charles, Ill., residents held captive by terrorists. His efforts were honored with a 1986 Emmy Award. In all, Norman has six Emmy Awards.

His other honors include: a 1987 Wilbur Award given by the Religious Public Relations Council for "Giving God The Glory," a documentary tracing Chicago's gospel history; and a 1984 International Radio and Television News Directors Award for his live coverage of the shooting of a divorce court judge and an attorney in a Daley Center Courtroom. His documentary on the plight of poor children won a 1978 School Bell Award from the National Association of Educators. In 1976, Norman worked as writer and photographer on the George Foster Peabody Award winning edition of NBC's "Weekend Magazine." He won North Carolina's RTNDA Award for his coverage of a fatal air balloon crash in 1975.

Norman's involvement with the community is extensive. In addition to hosting numerous community events each year, Norman is a spokesman for the United Negro College Fund and serves as an on-air host of their telethon.

Norman holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math and Physics from Johnson C. Smith University. He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and holds a first class F.C.C. engineer’s license. 

Dr. Lisa Thornton

Dr. Lisa Thornton is a physician and television health commentator. Her medical practice is dedicated to the care and treatment of children and adolescents with disabilities.  She is Medical Director of Pediatric Rehabilitation at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital, and LaRabida Children's Hospital.  She is Assistant Professor in the Departments of Orthopedics and Pediatrics at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. 

Dr. Thornton has been a guest on the Today Show, Good Morning America, the CBS Early Show, CNN, and the Steve Harvey TV Show.  She is the former host of Health Corner, a television series that appeared on Lifetime TV for 5 seasons.  She is passionate about bringing accurate health information to parents so that they can guide their children to optimal health.

She is passionate about her work with children who have disabilities and is currently working on her first book about the inspirational stories of the families she cares for.  The working title is:  The Unexpected Child: Stories of Ordinary Parents, Extraordinary Children, and the Incredible Power of Love".

Dr. Thornton received her undergraduate degree from Fisk University and her medical degree from the University of Michigan.  She currently serves on Aspire's Board of Directors.