Rush University System for Health has earned a rare honor from the American Hospital Association as a finalist for the 2025 Foster G. McGaw Prize in Excellence in Community Service — with the distinction of being one of only a few in the award’s history as first-time nominee.
Rush was among only four health systems to be named as a finalist. Minnesota-based Fairview Health Services in Minnesota was awarded the top prize.
Sponsored by the Baxter International Foundation and administered by the AHA, the prize is given annually to a health care organization that has shown exceptional commitment to community health and developing innovative partnerships with community organizations to address societal factors influencing health and improving access to high quality, safe and equitable health care.
“We are honored to be a finalist. An incredible team came together to demonstrate the depth and breadth of Rush’s programs and commitment to our community,” said Dr. Omar Lateef, president and CEO. “I’m inspired and humbled by our team’s passion to ensure that everyone gets the chance to be healthy.”
The recognitions were made during the AHA Leadership Summit in Nashville in July.
Rush — along with Inova Health Care Services in Fairfax, Va., and LifeBridge Health in Baltimore — also was recognized for their community health work. Specifically, judges focused on:
- Rush Education and Career Hub, which provides academic enrichment, mentoring and internship opportunities that help local youth get and stay on healthcare career paths.
- Rush Community Service Initiatives Program, where students, faculty, residents, fellows and staff are empowered to use their talents to make a difference in their community.
- Nursing Faculty Practice in the College of Nursing, which moves nursing-led health care services into the communities Rush serves.
- Veteran and Family Outreach through the Road Home Program that provides free mental health care to thousands of military veterans and their families.
- The Anchor Mission commitment that drives the economic benefits of how Rush hires, purchases and invests to improve the economic vitality — and thus health — of the communities Rush serves.
“The journey from building our nomination to celebrating in Nashville was a powerful reflection of the heart and soul of Rush,” said Wrenetha Julion, PhD, MPH, RN, FADLN, FAAN, the Michelle and Larry Goodman MD Endowed Professor of Health Equity. “It showcased the extraordinary work being done across our system and in the communities we are privileged to serve. Community service is not an initiative at Rush. It’s a core value. This prestigious honor is a tribute to every individual who lives our mission, vision and values, and a moment to reaffirm our commitment to serve with equity, compassion and purpose"
Speaking in Nashville representing Rush at the ceremony, John Diederich, president and CEO of Rush Copley Medical Center, drew the link between this work and the strength of the Rush team.
“We invest in our employees — that’s a part of our culture that we’ll continue to keep pervasive across the organization,” Diederich said. “When we talk about our strategic pillars, one of the key metrics is whether we are hiring from our anchor mission zip codes. Sixteen percent of our employees at Rush come from those anchor mission zip codes. It's a passion of mine. It's a passion for many of our leaders.”
