kids encyclopedia robot

Rush University Medical Center facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Rush University Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center logo.svg
RUMC - new tower.jpg
Geography
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Coordinates 41°52′29″N 87°40′09″W / 41.874674°N 87.6693°W / 41.874674; -87.6693
Organization
Funding Not for profit (US$581.8 million endowment (2020))
Hospital type Teaching/University
Affiliated university Rush University
Services
Standards tertiary care
Emergency department Yes
Beds 664
History
Founded March 2, 1837; 188 years ago (March 2, 1837)

Rush University Medical Center, often called Rush, is a big hospital and learning center in Chicago, Illinois. It's located in an area called the Illinois Medical District. Rush is the main hospital for a group of hospitals called the Rush University System for Health. This system also includes Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush Copley Medical Center. Rush University Medical Center is also the main teaching hospital for Rush University.

The History of Rush Medical Center

Rush Medical College was officially started on March 2, 1837. This was just two days before the city of Chicago itself was officially formed! The college welcomed its first 22 students on December 4, 1843. It was the very first healthcare place in Chicago. It was also one of the few medical schools in the western part of the United States at that time.

The Presbyterian Hospital of the City of Chicago (Front)
The hospital around the year 1900

The person who started the school, Daniel Brainard, named it after Benjamin Rush. Benjamin Rush was a doctor who signed the Declaration of Independence. He also taught basic medical skills to Meriwether Lewis for his famous trip with William Clark to the Pacific Northwest. The hospital connected to this medical college was the first one in Chicago.

The early teachers at Rush were very well known for their skills. They helped patients, did research, and taught students. They also helped with many scientific discoveries and new ways to treat people. As Chicago grew, Rush became involved with other new places. These included St. Luke's Hospital, started in 1864, and Presbyterian Hospital, which began in 1883. Rush Medical College also worked with the University of Chicago for many years.

In the early 1940s, Rush stopped teaching younger students. But its library stayed open, and its teachers continued to teach at the University of Illinois School of Medicine. In 1969, Rush Medical College started teaching students again. It joined with Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital to form Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center. This hospital had been formed when two hospitals joined together in 1956.

Rush University was created in 1972. Today, this university has colleges for medicine, nursing, health sciences, and research training. In September 2003, the Medical Center officially changed its name to Rush University Medical Center. This new name shows how important teaching and research are to helping patients.

In 2021, Lurie Children's and Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) announced they were teaming up. They formed a special partnership to give better care to children in the area. This partnership began on February 1, 2021. It means that the children's services at RUMC are now part of the "Lurie Children's umbrella." This new group is called "Lurie Children's & Rush Advancing Children's Health."

What Services Does Rush Offer?

Rush University Medical Center has 664 beds for patients. Its main building is 14 stories tall and very large. It is located on Chicago's Near West Side. The hospital is famous for its special butterfly-shaped tower. This design helps the hospital handle many patients at once, especially during big emergencies.

Rush offers more than 70 special training programs for doctors. These programs help doctors learn about many different medical and surgical areas. Rush is also the biggest non-government employer on Chicago's Near West Side. It has almost 10,000 employees.

The Road Home Program

Rush University Medical Center started the Road Home Program in 2014. This program helps military veterans with their mental health. It focuses on conditions like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). PTSD can happen after a very scary or shocking event. TBI is an injury to the brain.

In 2015, the Road Home Program became a founding partner of the Warrior Care Network. This network includes other important programs like UCLA Health Operation Mend and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base.

How Rush Ranks Among Hospitals

In 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked Rush University Medical Center very highly. It was ranked No. 19 in the entire U.S. It was also ranked No. 2 in Illinois and No. 2 in the Chicago area.

Nine of Rush's hospital specialties were ranked among the best in the country. These include:

  • Neurology and neurosurgery (No. 3) - for brain and nerve problems.
  • Orthopedics (No. 6) - for bones and joints.
  • Geriatrics (No. 16) - for healthcare for older people.
  • Gynecology (No. 20) - for women's health.
  • Gastroenterology and GI surgery (No. 21) - for stomach and digestive issues.
  • Pulmonary care and lung surgery (No. 28) - for lung and breathing problems.
  • Cardiology (No. 33) - for heart health.
  • Cancer (No. 42) - for cancer treatment.
  • Ear, nose and throat (No. 45) - for issues with ears, nose, and throat.
kids search engine
Rush University Medical Center Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.