Rush Opens New Health Center in River North on Tuesday

Newswise — Rush Opens New Health Center in River North on TuesdayRush Returns to Its Roots at Grand and Dearborn, Site of Rush Medical College Until Chicago Fire in 1871

People living and working in and near Chicago’s River North neighborhood will have more convenient access to physicians with Rush University Medical Center starting Tuesday April 5, when Rush will open a new health care facility at the corner of Grand and Dearborn streets. The state-of-the-art medical practice, Rush River North, is housed in the 10,000-square-foot ground floor space at the Grand Plaza apartment building at 539 N. Dearborn Street.

It certainly is much different from the last snapshot of Rush care in River North. (see photo at end of story) The photo below is of faculty and students of Rush Medical College in 1871 after the Chicago Fire destroyed the building – also at Grand and Dearborn. The college relocated to Chicago’s near West Side, the northeast corner of Harrison and Wood, in 1876.

.The practice will include five primary care physicians, two specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, a dermatologist and advanced practice nurses. Lab tests and diagnostic imaging also will be available. Other specialists will be added over time.

The staff will care for a wide range of patients, from those needing routine primary care to those requiring ongoing support to manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure.

“We designed this practice around what patients told us they wanted, in a convenient neighborhood location that will allow Rush to provide care when and where people need it,” said Michael Dandorph, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Rush University Medical Center. “After-hours visits and immediate care also will be available."

“We want to assure the very best possible experience for our patients, bringing forward sophisticated new technology that will provide an unprecedented personalized experience that makes the most efficient use of a patient’s time with their health care provider,” Dandorph adds.

The practice also will offer such features as online communication tools and multiple options for contacting medical providers who practice at Rush River North, as well as a host of nationally recognized specialty providers within the Rush system.

Patients will be able to take advantage of MyChart, Rush’s patient portal, which is securely available via an Internet connection. MyChart enables patients to easily view and update portions of their medical record and can help strengthen relationships they have with Rush providers by giving patients another way to contact their caregivers. MyChart will be used to send patients reminders about health maintenance and upcoming appointments, and it will permit online scheduling.Additionally, the practice will streamline the patients’ visits by using technology to help patients complete forms at their convenience and check in electronically, either ahead of their appointments at home, on their mobile device wherever they are, or via kiosks and tablets at the facility.

The design of the practice site will foster efficient and effective communication among the health care team to promote coordinated care, with the patient and his or her family always at the center of all discussions and decisions.Physicians from Rush currently practice at a number of locations throughout the Chicago area, including the following:• Chicago, North Side — Rush Primary Care, 1300 W. Belmont Ave.• Chicago, Loop — Rush University Internal Medicine – 230 W. Monroe St.• Chicago, Lincoln Park — Rush University Physicians at Lincoln Park; 2835 N. Sheffield St.• Oak Park — Rush Medical Office Building, 610 S. Maple Ave.• Lisle — DuPage Medical Group (cancer specialists), 430 Warrenville Rd.,• Worth — University Family Physicians Southwest, 7000 W. 111th St.

Over time, Rush plans to offer more locations and easier access for people to see their Rush care givers throughout the Chicago area. “This and other sites will complement and help us improve the health of those who have come to trust Rush for their health care needs at our near west side campus and other locations,” Dandorph said.

Rush Medical College faculty and students gather at the Grand and Dearborn site of Rush Medical College following the great Chicago Fire in 1871. The College relocated to Chicago’s near West Side, the northeast corner of Harrison and Wood, in 1876, the current site of the college and Rush University Medical Center.