Rush Medical College

Rush University Rush Medical College
Established	1837
Type	Private
Endowment	US$389 Million
Dean	Thomas A. Deutsch, MD
Academic staff	2,600
Students	525
Location	Chicago, Illinois, USA
Campus	Urban
Website	www.rushu.rush.edu/medcol/

Rush Medical College (often referred to simply as "Rush") is the medical school of Rush University, a private university in Chicago, Illinois. Rush Medical College was one of the first medical colleges in the state of Illinois and was chartered in 1837, two days before the city of Chicago was chartered, and opened with 22 students on December 4, 1843. Its founder, Dr. Daniel Brainard, named the school in honor of Dr. Benjamin Rush, the only physician with medical school training to sign the Declaration of Independence and who would later teach Meriwether Lewis the basic medical skills for his expedition with William Clark to the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Rush was also known as the "Father of American Psychiatry."

During its 1st century of operation, more than 10,000 physicians received their training at Rush Medical College; a "Rush Doctor" was a highly-prized commodity in the American West of the 19th century. Rush Medical College was affiliated with the University of Chicago from 1898 until 1942. With the onset of World War II, the medical college temporarily suspended its educational program, though it continued its corporate existence. Its faculty continued undergraduate and graduate teaching of medicine and the biological sciences as members of the faculty of the University of Illinois. The charter of the medical college was reactivated in 1969 when it became part of Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, which changed its name in 2003 to Rush University Medical Center to reflect the important role education and research play in its patient care mission. In 1971, Rush Medical College reopened with a class of 66 first-year students and 33 third-year students.

Since 1972, Rush Medical College has been part of Rush University. Rush Medical College affiliates include its teaching hospital Rush University Medical Center, nearby John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, and NorthShore University HealthSystem – Skokie Hospital (formerly known as Rush North Shore Medical Center)

Rush Medical College ranks among America's 10 medical schools with the lowest acceptance rates. Out of 6,488 applicants, only 246 were accepted for the class of 2014, with an acceptance rate of only 3.8% of the applicant pool. In 2011, US News World Report ranks Rush 70th among U.S. allopathic medical schools.

Curriculum

Preclinical years are graded as Honors, Pass, Fail. Clinical years are graded as Honors, High Pass, Pass, Fail.

Year One (Preclinical)

In 2010, the Rush Medical College curriculum underwent an extensive transformation as it implemented a system-based curriculum. Each organ system is organized into an individual block that integrates the pertinent material from each basic science discipline. A block will span from 3 to 6 weeks and end with a exam that constitutes 70–80% of the final grade (Honors/Pass/Fail). The first year consists of:

• Cellular and Molecular Biology Block
• Immunology and Hematology Block
• Musculoskeletal Block
• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Block
• Gastrointestinal System and Metabolism Block
• Genitourinary Block
• Central Nervous System Block

Throughout each block students take the year-long Physicianship Program. This program introduces students to various aspects of medicine and provides hands-on physical examination training. Students obtain clinical experience starting in the first weeks of school as they are required to work alongside a mentoring physician in pediatrics, internal medicine, or family medicine.

Year Two (Preclinical)

• Clinical Immunology
• Microbiology
• Clinical Pathophysiology
• Pathology
• Medical Pharmacology
• Physical Diagnosis and Interviewing
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• Psychopathology
• Preceptorship

USMLE Step 1 passing score required for promotion into third year

Year Three (Clinical)

• Internal Medicine (12 weeks)
• Family Medicine (4 weeks)
• Pediatrics (8 weeks)
• Psychiatry (4 weeks)
• Surgery (8 weeks)
• Obstetrics/Gynecology (6 weeks)
• Neurology (4 weeks)
• optional open elective (2 weeks)

Year Four (Clinical)

• Senior Subinternship (4 weeks) – chosen in department of medicine, surgery, pediatrics, or family medicine.
• Electives (28 weeks) – 8 weeks of medical electives, 4 weeks of surgical electives, 4 weeks ED/ICU electives, 12 weeks open electives

USMLE Step 2 attempted by December 31st of fourth year is required for graduation

Notable Alumni

• Robert E. Minahan - Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Henry Arthur Callis - One of the founders of Alpha Phi Alpha

See also

• James Oliver Van de Velde, Bishop of Chicago, founder of hospital taken over by Rush Medical College
• Rush University Medical Center
• Rush University

Further reading

• Ernest E. Irons, The Story of Rush Medical College Chicago: Board of Trustees of Rush Medical College, 1953

External links

• College Website
• Medical Center Website
• List of 1897 Faculty of Rush Medical College
• Photo – 1890's Surgical Clinic
• History of Chicago Neurology
• Rush Medical Student Website