Rush University

It was a call he never expected to receive.

Nearly 10 years ago, Rush Medical College student Seth Adler swabbed the inside of his mouth and joined the Gift of Life Marrow Registry to help save someone's life. Just last year, he found out he was a match for a 78-year-old male with leukemia.

Adler is sharing his experience and calling on others to be someone's match.

"I do want to emphasize how important stem cells [or bone marrow] are. If someone is diagnosed with blood cancer, and chemotherapy or surgery fails, this donation is their last treatment option," he says.

Read more of his story at https://rsh.md/4g06sUW.

The Faculty Excellence Awards celebration was an opportunity for the Rush University community to connect with colleagues, reflect on their contributions and recognize the remarkable work advancing education, research and service.

Read more about the event and this year's honorees at https://rsh.md/4gBYKRL.

Everyday tasks like paying for groceries, catching the bus or caring for a pet can become challenging after an illness or injury. To help patients regain these important skills, students in Rush University's Occupational Therapy Doctorate program are creating occupation kits that let patients practice these activities as they recover.

“The partnership between OTD and the Rush Specialty Hospital is huge,” says Sarah Czyszczon, a second-year OTD student. “Not only does it benefit the patients by giving them additional practice with real-life occupations, but it is so heartwarming for us students to know we are helping.”

Read more at https://rsh.md/4fgYxRp.

Sharon D. Gates, DSW, was a legend in our midst.

People will remember Sharon, the senior director of Student Diversity and Community Engagement, as an integral part of their education, a strong support system and an inspiration to lead by example.

The memories and stories you all share of Sharon is a true testament to the person she was. Her dedication to the Rush community and infectious smile left a lasting impression on anyone who knew her.

“Sharon was a unique leader and an inspiring force for good — listening and supporting our students, teaching all of us about the value of working with the community, and always finding time for anyone who needed her,” says Dr. Omar Lateef, president and CEO of Rush. “She walked the halls of Rush with grace, and she made all of us better people and Rush a better place forever.”

Read more about her profound impact on Rush and the communities we serve at https://rsh.md/3SZnp95.

Rush Medical College recently held its orientation for incoming M1 students. They came together to meet their peers, connect with faculty and leadership and learn more about Rush 9-1-1 — a group dedicated to teaching lifesaving skills.

We're so excited you're here, and we can't wait to watch you grow into compassionate and skilled healthcare professionals.

Finding the answers to commonly asked questions about the way humans think is no easy task. But Arka Mallela, MD, MS, assistant professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, knows the more clinicians learn about the brain, the better they can take care of patients.

To do that, Mallela uses brain mapping — a combination of imaging, recording of brain activity, electrical stimulation and behavioral testing — to understand where important functions are in the brain and how they can be preserved or carefully worked around during procedures.

Read more at https://rsh.md/3QYMUqa.

As future healthcare professionals, students reflected on the role they play in creating a more equitable future during Rush's annual Juneteenth celebration.

"Juneteenth helps emphasize the need to have cultural competence and embrace diversity so we can take the best care of our patients," says College of Nursing student Aniya Bennet.

The Juneteenth Jubilee was a day of freedom, love and togetherness.

We succeed when we work together.

That was the message at the African Student Association's first roundtable. Guest speakers discussed the importance of analyzing global health systems to influence innovation and create sustainable change.

Interested in getting involved? Learn more at: https://rsh.md/4b8sPVh.

Rush University recently honored four academic leaders for their appointments to endowed positions. Endowed faculty appointments, many made possible by the generosity of philanthropic partners, are the university’s highest honor and demonstrate confidence in and commitment to Rush’s future.

Celebrating Distinguished Academic Healthcare Leaders Rush University honors faculty recently appointed to endowed positions made possible by philanthropy.