Reimagining the Future of Healthcare Our Vision to Help Students Learn, Discover and Thrive
Who We Are Our best healthcare experiences are shaped by people. At Rush Medical College, we provide hands-on education in a supportive, team-based environment to help our students, residents and fellows learn, discover and thrive. By integrating education, research and compassionate care, we train tomorrow’s top doctors and scientists to transform the future of healthcare while giving their best — every day — to everyone they serve. Founded in 1837, Rush is one of the first medical colleges in the Midwest. Today, we enroll more than 700 students each year. These students speak an average of 20 different languages and hold undergraduate degrees from over 80 institutions. They choose Rush for our culture of belonging, commitment to community and the chance to learn alongside the prestigious scientists and clinicians working within the broader Rush University System for Health.
1837
David Jones Peck, MD, the first Black physician to earn a U.S. medical degree, graduates from Rush, beginning the college’s commitment to expanding access to medical education.
Founded by Daniel Brainard, MD, before Chicago becomes a city, Rush Medical College sets a new standard for medical education in the Midwest.
1847
Rush physicians and researchers help shape modern medicine through breakthrough discoveries, including the first descriptions of sickle cell disease and heart attack.
1871 After the Great Chicago Fire destroys its campus, Rush rebuilds and puts down roots on Chicago’s West Side, where it remains today.
20th century
21st century Rush advances the future of medicine through pioneering research, world-class education and a deep commitment to improving health for all.
Our Vision: To become a national leader in training exceptional physicians, advancing scientific discovery, integrating the highest-quality patient care, and serving our communities with equity and purpose.
Our Goals Clinical-academic integration
Research excellence
The practitioner-teacher model shapes students in extraordinary ways, preparing them to serve patients immediately upon entering the workforce. By strengthening our flagship clinical programs, we will continue to deliver nation-leading care, advance education and discovery, and drive reinvestment in our mission to improve health for all.
Our students’ diverse perspectives and intellectual curiosity enhance our research enterprise and deepen our clinical and community impact. By fostering a culture of scientific inquiry, we will accelerate discovery and translate innovation into better care.
Educational innovation
Community and global health impact
We teach students to center patients in all they do — harnessing discovery and technological advancements to equitably improve patient care and research. By offering modern curricula, immersive clinical learning and wraparound support, we will prepare exceptional physicians and scientists.
Good health is shaped by more than medical care. By nurturing partnerships that expand Rush’s impact locally and globally, we prepare future health leaders to provide more people with access to the care they need, when they need it.
How Philanthropy Makes a Difference Since Rush Medical College’s earliest days, philanthropic partners have shaped and advanced our mission, funded vital capital projects and supported initiatives that advance the future of healthcare. Donors support a mix of endowed and expendable funds, providing a wide range of revenue sources for Rush to train exceptional physicians, advance scientific discovery, integrate top-tier clinical care and serve our communities. We’ve seen the spark, and the future of healthcare is bright. With your partnership, we will help more aspiring students pursue a world-class education and inspire the next generation of medical professionals to reimagine what’s possible.
Learn •
Scholarships attract talented students and reduce financial burden, enabling more people to enroll, engage, volunteer and become highly skilled healthcare leaders.
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Service-learning opportunities like the Rush Community Service Initiatives Program, or RCSIP, and Office of Global Health programs instill an appreciation for the complexity of patients’ lives and ground students’ practice in improving health for all.
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Innovative curricula and training programs — including fellowships, interprofessional learning opportunities and accelerated pathways — give students access to the latest technologies, help them translate theory into practice and prepare them for work in fastpaced, technology-driven team environments.
Discover •
Research investments expose students, residents and fellows to experiences across the enterprise; attract and retain esteemed faculty who advance medicine; and propel emerging initiatives.
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Career pathway programs for students offer structured mentorship and early specialty exposure, supporting more deliberate choices about career paths and helping them match into and succeed in residency.
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Ethical integration of AI and digital innovations across our educational environment, clinical care and research enterprise ensures our students, faculty and staff have the right tools and training to lead effective, positive change in healthcare.
“Today’s medical students, residents and fellows will be expected to rapidly absorb information and constantly recalibrate throughout their careers. At Rush Medical College, we’re evolving our educational programs to fit this mindset and prepare the next generation to give everyone their best chance at a healthy life. Philanthropy can help us unlock more opportunities for our students faster.” Pete S. Batra, MD, FACS, FARS Senior Vice President, Rush University System for Health Henry P. Russe, MD, Dean of Rush Medical College Professor, Otorhinolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery
Thrive •
Wraparound supports — including wellness programs, academic coaching, financial counseling, food assistance and emergency funds — help students get the most from their educational experience and reach their full potential.
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Endowed positions attract and retain esteemed faculty and provide reliable funding to propel professional growth and advance patient care, education and research.
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Professional development opportunities help early- and mid-career physician-scientists navigate the dual demands of clinical work and research and strengthen their effectiveness as practitionerteachers.
You can help us reimagine the future of healthcare. Philanthropic investments from alumni, grateful patients and friends of Rush Medical College help aspiring physicians, scientists and postgraduate trainees learn, discover and thrive. With your support, we will achieve more, faster, and give more people access to a high-quality medical education.
To support the college or learn how to continue your legacy of support through an estate gift, contact Jenna Plakut, senior director of alumni giving, at jenna_plakut@rush.edu or (773) 368-2087.