Tessa Quinn
Rush University Medical Center, formerly known as Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, is named after Benjamin Rush, a Pennsylvania physician and the only physician with medical school training to sign the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Rush, who counted George Washington among his patients, became a medical and humanitarian leader after the Revolutionary War and was a prominent advocate for the abolition of slavery and scientific education for the masses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Rush University Medical Center |
| Former Name | Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center |
| Location | Illinois Medical District neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Year of Name Change | 2003 |
| Named For | Benjamin Rush |
| Who was Benjamin Rush | The only physician with medical school training to sign the Declaration of Independence |
| Founder of Rush Medical College | Daniel Brainard |
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What You'll Learn
Benjamin Rush, the physician who signed the Declaration of Independence
Rush University Medical Center is an academic medical center in the Illinois Medical District neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It is the hospital for the Rush University System for Health and serves as the primary teaching hospital affiliated with Rush University. The medical center has 664 patient beds and is known for its butterfly-shaped tower, designed to handle mass casualty events. Rush University, which includes colleges of medicine, nursing, health sciences, and research training, was established in 1972.
The medical center is named for Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a Pennsylvania physician. Rush was the only physician with medical school training to sign the Declaration, and he later taught Meriwether Lewis basic medical skills for his expedition with William Clark. He was also a lifelong friend of Thomas Jefferson and an outspoken advocate for the advancement of science, medicine, and education. He was a social activist and a prominent advocate for the abolition of slavery, scientific education for the masses, including women, and for public medical clinics to treat the poor.
Benjamin Rush was a member of the Sons of Liberty and represented Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress. He also served as Surgeon-General of the Middle Department of the Continental Army, where he laid the foundation for battlefield medicine. He was active in treating wounded and sick soldiers during the Philadelphia Campaign in 1777. In addition to his medical practice, Rush was involved in writing and education. He published the first American textbook on chemistry and contributed editorial essays to the papers about the patriot cause. He also founded Dickinson College in 1783 and Franklin & Marshall College in 1787.
Benjamin Rush was a fervent advocate of "heroic" medicine, which claimed that bleeding and purging were some of the best treatments for any ailment. He wrote about this extensively in his 1789 book "Medical Inquires and Observations" and tested his theory during a Yellow Fever epidemic in 1793. However, he did not keep detailed records of his cases, and his method was quickly questioned by fellow physicians, falling out of favor by the early 1800s. By the turn of the century, he shifted his focus to mental illness, being one of the first to delve into the study of psychiatry with his last publication, "Medical Inquiries and Observations upon the Diseases of the Mind".
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Rush Medical College, founded in 1837
The college was founded by Daniel Brainard, who named it in honour of Benjamin Rush, a renowned Pennsylvania physician and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Rush was the only physician with medical school training among the signatories and later taught basic medical skills to Meriwether Lewis for his expedition. Benjamin Rush was also known for his humanitarian work, social activism, and advocacy for scientific education and public medical clinics. By the time of his death in 1813, he had become the most celebrated physician in America.
Rush Medical College opened its doors to students in December 1843, starting with a class of 22. Over the years, the college has produced numerous distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions to the field of medicine. The college's association with the University of Chicago, which began in 1898 and lasted until 1941, further enhanced its reputation. During World War II, Rush temporarily discontinued its pre-clinical educational program, but the college reactivated its charter in the late 1950s and merged with Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital to form the Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center.
Today, Rush Medical College, as part of Rush University, continues its proud tradition of educating future leaders in medicine. The college offers a range of degree programs and is known for its innovative approach to medical education, emphasising team-based exercises and a "flipped classroom" model. Rush Medical College students and faculty conduct research that advances our understanding of diseases and leads to more effective treatments. The college is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community that welcomes people from all backgrounds. Additionally, through various programs and initiatives, the college gives back to the surrounding communities, making a positive impact on the lives of others.
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Presbyterian Hospital, founded in 1883
The original Rush Medical College was established in 1837 and was Chicago's first healthcare institution. The college was founded by Daniel Brainard, who named it in honour of Benjamin Rush. Rush Medical College was affiliated with the University of Chicago from 1898 until 1941. In 1942, the college closed its doors for the next 27 years.
In 1956, Presbyterian Hospital merged with St. Luke's Hospital to become Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital. This merger also included the nursing schools, which united to create the Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing. In 1969, Rush Medical College reactivated its charter and merged with Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital to form Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center.
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center became affiliated with Rush University, which was established in 1972. The university initially included colleges of medicine, nursing, health sciences, and research training. In 2003, the medical centre officially changed its name to Rush University Medical Center, reflecting the importance of education and research in its patient care mission.
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St. Luke's Hospital, founded in 1864
St. Luke's Hospital, founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1864, was a healthcare institution that underwent several transformations and mergers over the years. It played a significant role in the history of medicine and nursing education. The hospital was named for the evangelist and physician, St. Luke.
In 1885, St. Luke's Hospital founded the Training School for Nurses, also known as the St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing. This school provided diploma education to nurses and was the first antecedent of the College of Nursing at Rush University. The nursing school at St. Luke's Hospital was a pioneer in nursing education, with more than 7,500 nurses graduating from its program.
In 1956, St. Luke's Hospital merged with Presbyterian Hospital, forming Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital located on Chicago's West Side. This merger also united the nursing schools of the two institutions, creating the Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing. The merged hospital became a part of the growing network of healthcare institutions that would eventually become the Rush University System for Health.
The original St. Luke's Hospital Complex, constructed in the Gothic Revival style, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. As St. Luke's Hospital continued to expand, it eventually outgrew its original building and moved to a new location. The hospital played a crucial role in the development of modern medicine, pioneering the use of antiseptics, adopting X-rays as a diagnostic tool, and performing groundbreaking procedures such as open-heart surgery.
Today, the legacy of St. Luke's Hospital lives on through the Rush University System for Health, which includes colleges of medicine, nursing, health sciences, and research training. Rush University Medical Center, the successor to St. Luke's Hospital, is now a top-ranked academic medical centre in Chicago, known for its excellence in patient care, research, and community service.
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Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, formed in 1956
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center was formed in 1956 when St. Luke's Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital merged. The two hospitals joined forces to obtain the critical mass of resources of contemporary teaching medical centers. The merger also created the Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing, which united the nursing schools of the two hospitals.
The history of Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center can be traced back to the founding of St. Luke's Hospital in 1864 and Presbyterian Hospital in 1883. Presbyterian Hospital was established at the urging of the faculty of Rush Medical College, which was founded in 1837 and opened in 1843 as Chicago's first health care institution. Rush Medical College was named after Benjamin Rush, the only physician with medical school training to sign the Declaration of Independence.
In 1969, Rush Medical College reactivated its charter and merged with Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital. This merger formed the Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, which became the hospital for the Rush University System for Health. Rush University was established in 1972, and its College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences admitted its first students in 1973.
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center has continued to grow and expand over the years. In 1980, Copley Memorial Hospital joined the academic network of the medical center. Today, the Rush University System for Health includes Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush Copley Medical Center and serves as the primary teaching hospital in affiliation with Rush University.
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Frequently asked questions
Rush University Medical Center is named for Benjamin Rush, a Pennsylvania physician who was the only physician with medical school training to sign the Declaration of Independence.
The founder of Rush Medical College, Daniel Brainard, established the college in honour of Benjamin Rush.
Rush Medical College was established in 1837 and closed in 1942. It was re-established in 1969 and merged with Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital to form Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center.
Rush University Medical Center is known for its butterfly-shaped tower, designed to handle mass casualty events. It is also recognised for its excellence in patient care, research, and teaching.
