Notable Alumni of Rush University: Leaders in Healthcare and Beyond
Rush University, a Chicago-based institution renowned for its health sciences programs, has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Originally founded as Rush Medical College in 1837, the university has evolved into a leading academic medical center, producing graduates who have made significant contributions to healthcare, research, and various other fields. This article explores the notable alumni of Rush University, highlighting their achievements and impact on society.
A Legacy of Excellence: From Rush Medical College to Rush University
The origins of Rush University can be traced to 1837 when the Illinois state legislature chartered Rush Medical College, just two days before the city of Chicago was incorporated. Daniel Brainard founded Rush Medical College in March 1837, two days before Chicago was chartered as a city. The college is named for Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a Pennsylvania physician, who counted George Washington among his patients. He became a medical and humanitarian leader after the Revolutionary War. He was also a social activist, a prominent advocate for the abolition of slavery, for scientific education for the masses-including women-and for public medical clinics to treat the poor. In the manner of most medical schools in the 19th century, Rush was a proprietary institution owned and operated by a group of physicians who had joined Brainard in establishing practices in young Chicago.
RUSH faculty established a teaching hospital, Presbyterian Hospital, in 1883. In 1956, Presbyterian Hospital merged with nearby St. Luke’s Hospital, which was founded in 1864. Their nursing schools also united to create the Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing. In 1969, RUSH Medical College merged with Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital to create RUSH-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center. RUSH University was established in 1972. James A. Campbell, MD, served as RUSH University’s first president. Campbell chose Luther Christman, PhD, RN, FAAN, to serve as the founding dean of the College of Nursing. From 1984 to 2002, Leo M. Henikoff, MD, served as University president. RUSH-Presbyterian-St. In 2012, RUSH opened the distinctive butterfly-shaped Tower building, which has already become a Chicago icon.
Today, Rush University is comprised of four colleges: Rush Medical College, the College of Nursing, the College of Health Sciences, and the Graduate College. Each college offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in health sciences and related fields.
Notable Alumni: Shaping the Future of Healthcare
Rush University has produced a diverse array of accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. These individuals have excelled in clinical practice, research, education, administration, and advocacy, leaving a lasting impact on healthcare and society.
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Medicine
- Juan A. Asensio-Gonzalez, MD ’79/RMC: Was elected as a distinguished member of the Royal National Academy of Medicine of Spain.
- Adam Basler, MD ’13/RMC: Joined St. James Hospital as a full time general surgeon.
- Constance A. Benson, MD ’81 & ’86/GME: Joined NDA Partners LLC as an Expert Consultant.
- Stephani D. Christensen, MD, GME: Was recognized in 40 under 40 in the Las Vegas Sun for her work as a hematologist and medical oncologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers.
- Randy J. Epstein, MD ’80/RMC, GME: Was named a 2019 top doctor by the National Keratoconus Foundation.
- Jeffrey Horowitz, MD ’98/MRC: Was appointed as Professor of Medicine and Division Director of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
- Michael Hoeh, MD, GME: Has joined Elmhurst Clinic's urology department in Naperville, Il.
- Joshua J. Jacobs, MD, GME: Was elected as vice president of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) for a one-year term.
- Anmar Kanaa'N, MBBS, GME: Joined Cleveland Clinic Akron General as a cardiologist.
- Leo Kanev, MD ’98/RMC: Was appointed medical director of The Moorings of Arlington Heights.
- Kyle W. Korth, MD ’14/GME: Joined the Orthopedics Department at Medical Associates of Dubuque Iowa.
- W. Ian Lipkin, MD ’78/RMC: Received an award from the Chinese government in recognition of his many years of dedicated work to improve the country’s public health and disease outbreak efforts.
- John P. Lubicky, MD ’80/GME: Is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery & Pediatrics & Chief of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery at West Virginia University Medicine in Morgantown, WV.
- Michael A. McGee, MD ’00/RMC, MPH, FACEP: Co-founded Premier Urgent Care & Occupational Health Center, the first black-owned urgent care center in South Chicago.
- Giselle S. Mosnaim, MD, MS, FAAAAI, GME: Was named president of The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
- Tiffany Morgan, MD ’14/RMC: Has joined the practice at New Hanover Regional Medical Center Radiation Oncology in Supply, North Carolina.
- Robert H. Rotering, MD ’78/RMC: Returned to his home state of North Dakota where he is Medical Director of the Tioga Medical Center following an international career serving in Grenada, Saudi Arabia, Brunei and Dubai.
- Gary H. Salzman, MD ’77/RMC: Received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Arizona Geriatrics Society.
- Robert J. Thorsness, MD ’16/GME: Joined Hinsdale Orthopaedics as a Sports Medicine-Orthopaedic Surgeon.
- Stephen Trzeciak, MD, GME: Was named Chief of Medicine at Cooper University Health Care and chair of the Department of Medicine for Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
- Adam M. Young, MD, GME: Joined the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute as a board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management physician.
Nursing
- Pamela L. Arnold Dunley, ’82/CON: Joined the board of directors at Planetree International.
- Kathleen R. Catrambone, ’89 & ’00/CON: Was elected as chair of the American Academy of Nursing, Global Nursing and Health Expert Panel for 2019.
- Simendea S. Clark, DNP ’10/CON: Was named president of the Chicago campus for Chamberlain University.
- Deborah Curry, ND ’04/CON: Was selected as a recipient of the 2019 Chancellor’s Awards from Gadsden State Community College, where she is the dean of health sciences.
- Jennifer L. Fischer, ’04/CON: Was named Chief Experience Officer at Holyoke Medical Center.
- William D. Jones, ’17/CON: Was named the Assistant Unit Director of 14 West at Rush University Medical Center.
- Alessandra McNamara, MSN ’17, RN-BC,CNL/CON: Has accepted a clinical nurse position at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital on the addictions unit and recently earned psychiatric and mental health nursing board certification.
- Masako Nagamatsu Mayahara, ’97 & ’98/CON: Was named Associate Chairperson for the Department of Community, Systems, and Mental Health Nursing at Rush University Medical Center.
- Florence C. Roque, BS ’94, MS & DNP '96/CON: Is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner at her private practice, Southwest Pediatric Care, in Deming, New Mexico.
- Barbara A. Swanson, DNSC ’91/CON: Received the 2018-2019 Rush Faculty Excellence Award for Excellence in Research.
- Thomas Starr, DNP ’18, MSN ’14, RN, CNL, NEA-BC,CCRN,CMC/CON: Was promoted to Senior Clinical Director, Nursing, Capacity Management Center, and Resource Team at NorthShore University Health System.
- Ruth M. Wingeier, CON ’77: Retired from her independent midwifery home birth practice in Long Prairie, Minnesota and is looking forward to traveling more, not being on-call, and spending time with her husband and family.
Health Sciences
- Anne Corley Baum, MS ’89/CHS: Has published a new book Small Mistakes, Big Consequences: Develop Your Soft Skills to Help You Succeed through Momosa Publishing, LLC in Bethlehem, PA.
- Jack W. Bailey, MS ’04/CHS: Was named senior vice president for clinical services at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
- Brian G. Lane, ’99/CHS, ’98/CERT: Was named president and CEO of The Center for Health Affairs.
- Deandre L. James, ’06/CHS: Was named Executive Director at Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust.
- Sue Wu Marr, ’97/CHS: Joined Plante Moran as principal in healthcare practice.
- Nicholas M. Moore, PHD ’09/CHS AND ’17/GRAD: Was awarded the 2019 Member of the Year at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science - Illinois on April 19, 2019 in Peoria, IL.
- Erica L. Shaver, MS, RD, LDN/CHS ’13: Is a bariatric dietitian at Wesley Woodlawn Hospital and ER in Wichita, Kansas.
Other Notable Alumni
- Linda P. Fried, MD ’79/RMC, GME: Was named the recipient of the New Work Academy of Medicine Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation 2019 Alma Dea Morani Award.
- Robert J. Zagar, PHD ’81/GME: Published "Implications of Machine-Learning, Internet-Tests to Save Lives and Money: "7-Point Violence Profile."
The Rush University Alumni Association: Fostering Connections and Supporting Future Leaders
The Rush Medical College Alumni Association plays a vital role in connecting alumni with each other and with the university. The association's mission is to support the success of Rush Medical College while promoting the college and its alumni as innovative leaders in medical education, practice, research and service. The association is focused on three of the following fundamental areas: Promoting alumni engagement, Enhancing the value of a RUSH degree, Supporting the medical college as well as residency and fellowship programs, Support student programs.
The association’s Executive Council works to prioritize and strengthen these areas by supporting and promoting gifts to the Rush Medical College Alumni Student Success Fund which provides funding for RMC students’ professional development and student events that strengthen a sense of belonging. This includes: Global Trip Support, RMC Summer Research Fellowship, M1 Stethoscopes and White Coats, M2 First Aid Textbooks and Practice Exams, M4 Commencement Banquet.
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