Rush University Graduate College — Attraction in West Chicago Township

My husband was medivac’d to Rush from Guatemala with heart failure, a heart attack, kidney failure, & diabetes.

Diabetes care-nonexistent- they believe 250 is okay. It screwed up my husband’s A1c and did not help his kidneys. They also had him on the wrong diet for the first three days despite copious records from Hospital Universitario Esperanza’s doctor, Edward Lopez, who had gotten his degree from the Cleveland Clinic and saved my husband’s life after his heart attack.

Dietitians often brought the wrong meal. Even after correcting the menu slip-up. They did not count carbs, and insulin admin was hit or miss-usually miss.

Cardiology- they knew what neeeed to be done, and they were aware of the problems with an angiogram or angioplasty. They tri d a beta blocker, and he nearly died, but the very next day they put in a pacemaker/defibrillator, which I believ kept him alive until he could have stints put in. For that I am grateful.

They did do an angiogram and found extreme blockage, but decided to aim for perfection and heart bypass surgery. After 3 weeks in the Cardiac Intensive Care unit, we were sent home to “get a second opinion” (basically to die). As we left (literally), the head Cardiologist that week said that stints might be an option. The surgery team refused to do bypass surgery because of the downstream blockage.

We went to Northwestern hospital for he second opinion. They concurred about no bypass surgery, but their cardiac interventionist thought stints might be possible. Our new cardiologist, Dr. Mark Ottolin, had worked miracles for us and gotten us in early to see Dr. Ricciardi.

Kidneys-Our new nephrologist, Dr. Rasa Kedainis, noted that Rush had prescribed two drugs that were contraindicated and took my husband off of them. She worked with Dr. Ricciardi, and they were going to do pre-emptive dialysis, but pneumonia intervened. Thankfully. We rushed my husband to Edwards Hospital, and Dr. Ottolin orchestrated everything.

Within a week, the pneumonia cleared, and Dr. Ulrich Luft was able to put in 3 stints. Without dialysis. My husband’s creatinine level has gone down from 4.3 to 2.7 so far. Edwards also kept his diabetes under control. I can’t say enough about how good Edward Hospital was when compared to...

Rush University. A national reputation for excellence, innovation. The College of Nursing taught the Rush Model of Nursing. Driven by the vision of Luther Christman, who wanted parity with physicians based on Doctoral level education and clinical expertise. Saw Nurses as Specialists, Leaders, not as anybody can pass a pill, or take an order handmaids or drones. Scientists at the bedside as Primary Nurses. A radical concept. Practioner-Teachers, at minimum Master's level instructors, maintained full clinical and academic responsibilities. Not ivory tower isolates. A grueling baccalaureate program. Many left. Unique in it's usage of systems analysis to understand all levels of health care. Obstacles to empowering the person as active partner in their health care. (I saw a big one was motivation to change. Felt good to make a difference). The growing cost impact of health care. Medicaid, Medicare. Core Theory and NAS application classes. 2 terms of pharmacology taught by PharmD's. Research applications. Evidence based practice at it's inception. Training in a nationally respected tertiary care center, then called RPSLMC. Teaching rounds at bedside. A mix of students that was fabulous: The youth of those from 2 or 3 years of college: experienced RNs; & those like me with previous degrees including graduate training in other disciplines. Diversity of age, independence of thought, working together. A student co-op to share written transcripts of lectures. Celebrated each week's end at TGIF's. Produced competent, educated, assertive clinicians best able to help patients cope and adapt, improve and challenge the system. As an evolution of Christman's vision & growing health care complexity, this baccacalaureate program is no longer offered. Only graduate level programs exist. Was it perfect? No. Did I love it while I was there? No. Sometimes hated it. Change gets difficult if not painful. Time and experience taught me the value of what I learned. Another vista best appreciated at a distance. Would I do it again? Yes. Without reservation. I am proud of my degree, my training, my education. Great school dedicated to advancing Nursing As a Science. And you...

I was picking up someone that had orthopaedic surgery. Drop off was easy because it was before 8a. So it was basically pull up and drop off. Picking up though I had to keep circling because she was not downstairs yet. It was hard because Valet had cars here and there and there were the medical buses also parked. I was told to watch as I circled till I saw her. It was hard to see inside. So finally I want down the block and called her to let me know when she was downstairs. Well just then she was. So I double back a little and she knew I was coming so she watched for my car. They brought her right out and told the gentleman directing traffic that I was her ride. They let me stop and helped her into the car and on our way we went. It was not as bad as I thought it would be but if I ever have to do it again I know a btter way to pick the person up. You let them know your on your way and when they are downstairs they call and then watch for your car. Stay...