Rush University honored four esteemed faculty members during a ceremony on June 26, recognizing 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.
"The Investiture Ceremony stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of our donors in advancing equitable health care through education, research and service at Rush University System for Health,” said Julie Hoff, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, provost of Rush University. “It is my honor to recognize our donors' generosity and celebrate the exceptional faculty members whose leadership and contributions are shaping the future of health care — for learners, patients and communities alike.”
At the June ceremony, Rush appointed the following faculty members to endowed positions:
- Asokumar Buvanendran, MD, to the Anthony D. Ivankovich, MD, Chair of Anesthesiology
- Brian Forsythe, MD, to the Tim and Keli Walbert Chair in Orthopedic Surgery
- Lee Jones, MD, to the Stanley G. Harris Family Professorship of Psychiatry
- David C. Reid, MD, FAAD, to the Clark Wylie Finnerud, MD, Professorship of Dermatology
Including the four recent appointments, Rush University has 104 endowed faculty positions, which are critical to the university’s vision. The endowments provide financial resources in perpetuity to fuel the work of leading faculty and support efforts to recruit and retain world-renowned experts dedicated to improving health for all.
“During these challenging times in academic health care and research, we are proud to recognize extraordinary leaders who help Rush navigate through these uncharted waters,” said Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA, president and chief academic officer of Rush University, chief clinical and academic officer and senior vice president of Rush University System for Health, and the James A. Campbell, MD, Presidential Chair. “The role of these outstanding leaders can’t be underestimated. We are proud to recognize their contributions.”
The Anthony D. Ivankovich, MD, Chair of Anesthesiology was established by faculty, former students and friends of Ivankovich to recognize his achievements and contributions to Rush and the field of anesthesiology. It provides support for basic research and educational initiatives.
Buvanendran, chairperson of the Department of Anesthesiology at Rush University Medical Center, specializes in pain medicine. He knows Ivankovich personally and has worked to reinforce the characteristics the chair’s namesake instilled in the department.
“It’s an outstanding honor to continue Dr. Ivankovich’s legacy of producing clinical excellence for patients, not only in the anesthesia field but also in pain medicine,” Buvanendran said. “I am tremendously proud of the trust the university puts in my capabilities, including with this endowed chair.”
The Tim and Keli Walbert Endowed Chair in Orthopedic Surgery was established to advance the groundbreaking work of physicians, surgeons and researchers, keeping Rush at the forefront of research, education and innovation. The chair will help advance the field of orthopedics through scholarship and research, building the capacity of the Rush Arthritis and Orthopaedic Institute, and improving the lives of patients experiencing bone and joint pain.
Forsythe, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery, is the first faculty member to hold the endowed chair. He is an active educator and researcher involved in teaching surgical residents, fellows and practicing orthopedic surgeons. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and is a regular presenter at national and international conferences.
“I am humbled, grateful and honored to hold the Tim and Keli Walbert Endowed Chair in Orthopedic Surgery at Rush,” Forsythe said. “Their gift will enhance our ability to train the next generation of clinicians and leaders. Tim and Keli have provided us the opportunity to invest in groundbreaking research that will improve patient outcomes. Orthopedics at Rush is forever strengthened by their generosity.”
The Stanley G. Harris Family Professorship of Psychiatry pays tribute to the Harris family’s legacy of commitment to Rush University Medical Center, which includes two other endowed professorships established by Stanley G. Harris Sr., a longtime Rush trustee, through the Harris Trust.
Jones, who holds the chair, is the vice dean for education and student experience at Rush Medical College, with decades of leadership in academic medicine, clinical care and medical education. At Rush, he serves as a resource for faculty, students and staff navigating academic and professional challenges, while supporting compliance, accreditation and continuous improvement.
“As a new member of the wonderful Rush family, I am deeply honored to be named the Stanley G. Harris Family Professor of Psychiatry,” Jones said. “Addressing the current and future mental health and wellness needs of all members of all our communities is of the utmost importance. This includes our patient communities and partners, as well as our learners and educators. These needs have become increasingly important, and current events across the globe give an added urgency to this mission. This generous endowment will allow us to advance the thorough preparation of our future physicians to meet challenges — necessary now more than ever.”
Reid, chairperson of the Department of Dermatology at Rush and residency program director, leads efforts to expand the department’s impact, advance care for patients with complex dermatologic conditions and harness new technologies to shape the future of the field. The Clark Wylie Finnerud, MD, Professorship of Dermatology, to which Reid was appointed, was established by Una Finnerud in tribute to her husband, a 1915 graduate of Rush Medical College and faculty member from 1919 to 1942.
"I believe the work we do changes lives,” Reid said. “It changes the lives of our patients, our teammates and staff, and our students. And when you change people’s lives, you change the world. And you give them the chance to change it, too. That’s what this endowment means to me and to us. I’m very grateful."
