Rush University System for Health is sharing publicly its bold plan — Without Boundaries: The RUSH Campaign — to eliminate the barriers in health care preventing many from living their best, healthiest lives.
Today the RUSH Campaign entered its public phase, on its way to achieving a goal to raise at least $750 million in support of all aspects of the Rush mission. Across Rush University Medical Center, Rush Copley Medical Center, Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush University, philanthropic partners have the opportunity to help solve the greatest challenges facing patients, students, the communities Rush serves and the providers who serve them — changing lives and the field of health care in the process.
“Health care is facing great challenges, but our plans are even greater,” said Dr. Omar Lateef, president and CEO of Rush University System for Health and Rush University Medical Center. “This is the most ambitious campaign in our history and the first to benefit the entire Rush University System for Health. Because of your partnership, we’ll be able to realize our vision for health care without boundaries — for you, for your community, for everyone.”
As a nonprofit academic health system, Rush reinvests all operational income and every philanthropic gift into its mission to improve health. The advances faculty and staff across Rush make in care, research, education and health equity are possible only with the support and generosity of donors.
“Our decision to give our time and our philanthropic support to Rush is motivated by the urgent need to maintain Rush’s momentum as a nexus of health care innovation,” said William Downe, former CEO of BMO Financial Group, Rush trustee and co-chair, System Campaign Committee. “Philanthropy is the fuel health care experts need to bring their ideas for advancements to life.”
The RUSH Campaign is built around the following key priorities:
- Neuroscience: Providing increasingly effective treatment, while fueling research that unlocks the mysteries of the brain and improves its resilience to age, illness and injury.
- Cancer: Delivering medical advances and research breakthroughs across our cancer care locations, while continually improving patient experiences and life expectancy.
- Health Equity: Eliminating social and health inequities by improving our communities’ access to care and investing in factors for longevity, including employment, education, safe housing, healthy food and mental health support.
- Education & Workforce Development: Giving Rush University students the highest-value health sciences education and leading novel solutions for our nation’s workforce shortage.
- Innovation: From accelerating research to transforming digital access, realizing Rush’s limitless potential to improve the way care is designed and delivered.
- Bone & Joint: Innovating surgical and nonsurgical care and fostering scientific discovery to extend and restore full, active lives.
- Emerging Opportunities: Driving solutions for care delivery in programs beyond the priority areas listed above.
While the priorities of the RUSH Campaign are forward-looking, there are success stories behind each that demonstrate the impact donors’ support has on people’s lives day in and day out. Illustrating these successes:
Scholarships That Change Lives (Education & Workforce Development)
Because of donor scholarship support, Ye Rim Noh, a second-year medical student and DACA recipient, finds community and support at Rush.
Parkinson’s Research That Improves Lives (Neuroscience)
Jori Fleisher, MD, has received a federal grant to advance research — originally launched by philanthropy — to improve life for patients and their care partners.
Cancer Treatment That Saves Lives (Cancer)
Kristina had a great support system to help her through cancer treatment. Now she wants to help others.
Joint Preservation That Keeps Life Moving (Bone & Joint)
Former pro soccer player’s gift keeps the ball rolling on leading-edge joint preservation research.
Eliminating Health Disparities and Rebuilding Communities (Health Equity)
With funding from our donors, John Rich, MD, MPH, Harrison I. Steans Director of the RUSH BMO Institute for Health Equity, aims to use innovative thinking and collaboration to reduce violence, poverty and health disparities.
Investing in Technology that Changes Health Care Delivery (Innovation)
Forward-thinking campaign gifts fund new technology to fuel imaging research across Rush.
Those interested in joining the RUSH Campaign and creating a future for health care without boundaries can contact the Rush Office of Philanthropy at (312) 942-6830 or giving@rush.edu. For more information on the RUSH Campaign or any of the success stories shared, contact Tobin Klinger, director of media relations, at tobin_klinger@rush.edu.