Community service is an integral part of the culture of Rush. It is who Rush is and what Rush does.
Through the Rush Community Service Initiatives Program, there is an opportunity for Rush University students, faculty, residents, fellows and staff to use their distinct skills and talents to make a difference in our community and beyond.
The mission of Rush Community Service Initiative Program (RCSIP) is to provide community-based volunteer experiences for Rush students that enhance their ability to work in teams, develop patient relationships, care for diverse populations, and to provide targeted services based on community need. We achieve our mission by:
- Aligning volunteer experiences with the findings of the Rush community health needs assessment
- Developing community programs that focus on access, health promotion, and pipeline programs for health care careers
Who can be involved in RCSIP?
RCSIP opportunities are available to all students, faculty, residents, fellows and staff at Rush University.
For students: RCSIP offers you a chance to support your community, while also honing your health care skills with hands-on experience. A recent study at Rush found that the opportunities available through RCSIP influenced 66 percent of our current students to choose Rush as their school of choice.
For faculty, residents, fellows and staff: RCSIP provides a venue for giving back to your community, while also giving you an opportunity to mentor students and guide the next generation of health care providers.
More than 90 percent of Rush University students volunteer in the community alongside teachers and peers from every college. Listen to the stories of students who participate in RUCaring or conduct Schweitzer fellowships.
What does RCSIP do?
To serve the community surrounding Rush, RCSIP programs do the following:
- Align volunteer experiences with the health needs of some of our surrounding communities on the West Side of Chicago
- Develop community programs that align with Rush’s community health improvement plan that addresses the health needs of our community
- Provide appropriate support and training for student volunteers
For more information
If you are interested in volunteering in a RCSIP program, please contact:
Sharon D. Gates, DSW
Senior Director, Student Diversity and Community Engagement
Rush University
600 South Paulina, Room 979
Chicago, Illinois 60612
Tel: (312) 942-3670
Fax: (312) 942-3127
Email: sharon_gates@rush.edu