With construction of all the major new buildings in the Rush Transformation under way, it's a good time to look back at how quickly this project has progressed in just a few years — and look ahead to how much will be accomplished in the years to come.

2004

Rush University Medical Center announces plans to invest in the Rush Transformation, a comprehensive construction and facilities renovation program. This investment includes a new hospital building, a new orthopedic ambulatory building, renovations to existing hospital facilities, improved parking and a new central power plant and parking garage.

Rush University Medical Center announces plans to invest in the Rush Transformation, a comprehensive construction and facilities renovation program. This investment includes a new hospital building, a new orthopedic ambulatory building, renovations to existing hospital facilities, improved parking and a new central power plant and parking garage.

2005

Trustee John Boler and his wife, Mary Jo, donate $20 million to the project.

2006

Trustee Marvin Herb and his family donate $20 million to the transformation project. The Rush Transformation Center opens on first floor of the Atrium Building, providing a preview of what will happen on campus over the next seven years.

June: A kick-off celebration for the transformation takes place on Rush's campus at the future site of the new hospital. Guests, including Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, are treated to a look back at Rush history, as well as a virtual tour of the Rush of tomorrow.

June:  Rush receives board approval for a Certificate of Need to proceed with detailed planning for the campus project.

December: Work finishes on the schematic design phase of the project, which evaluates the layout of various departments and floors with regard to the arrangement of rooms and traffic flow for patients, staff and visitors.

2007

February: Rush applies for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its new hospital building. These efforts made Rush the first comprehensive hospital in city of Chicago to seek LEED certification.

The state of Illinois approves Rush's request for a Certificate of Need to build the new orthopedic ambulatory building. The state-of-the-art building will consolidate outpatient offices and facilities of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and many Department of Orthopedic Surgery functions.

July: Rush clinicians, faculty and staff gather to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new orthopedic ambulatory building.

July: The Jelke building exterior renovations are completed early in 2008.

September: The Rush West Campus building opens, providing a new home for the Laurance Armour Day School — a day school facility for preschool children.

2008

January: Rush Ambulatory Behavioral Medicine Services, the Rush Day Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry Outpatient Clinical Services relocate to the Rush West Campus building.

March: Webcams are installed around campus to show progress of the construction at various sites.

April: The Illinois Clean Energy Foundation awards a grant of $135,000 to Rush in support of the East Tower's energy efficient design.

Spring: Construction on the East Tower begins.

September: Groundbreaking for the East Tower, including a week-long series of events.

2009

Summer New staff and student parking garage opens. Central power plant scheduled to open.

Fall: Orthopedic Building scheduled to open.

2012

New hospital facility (East Tower) expected to open.

2015

Atrium and Kellogg building renovations scheduled to be completed.

2016

The oldest buildings on the west end of campus, including the Senn, Rawson, Jones, Murdock and Pavilion buildings, will be demolished to create campus green space. Historical fixtures and pieces from the buildings will be removed for display in new facilities and archives.