Recognitions and Accreditations

• National recognition
• Medical center accreditations and designations
• Other program recognitions

National recognition

Newsweek: Among the Top 20 Hospitals in the United States

A recent survey from Newsweek ranked Rush University Medical Center No. 18 among hospitals in the United States. Newsweek’s “World’s Best Hospitals” rankings are based on recommendations from medical professionals, results from patient surveys and key medical performance indicators.

'Baby-Friendly' Designation

Rush University Medical Center received “Baby-Friendly” designation from Baby-Friendly USA, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund. These organizations certify whether a hospital adheres to a rigorous series of evidence-based practices shown to increase breastfeeding.

National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program honors Rush for infant safe sleep efforts

Rush University Medical Center is recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a Gold Safe Sleep Champion for our commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.

Among the 'Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion'

Rush University Medical Center was named one of the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion" for the sixth year in a row based on a top score of 90 in the 2024 Disability Equality Index, a comprehensive annual benchmarking tool that allows nationwide leading organizations to self-report their disability policies and practices.

Rush University Medical Center accreditations and designations

Joint Commission accreditation

Rush University Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission, most recently in November 2021. Rush's behavioral health program and Rush's pathology and clinical laboratories are also Joint Commission accredited. Rush's stroke program is certified as a comprehensive stroke center by the Joint Commission.

Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs

The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs has awarded Rush University Medical Center full accreditation. To earn accreditation, an organization must meet or exceed a wide set of stringent criteria and demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the appropriate safeguards and protecting the rights and welfare of research participants.

Three-star designation for the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery: Society of Thoracic Surgeons

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons has designated the Rush Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery a three-star program — the society’s highest rating — for both coronary artery bypass procedures and lung cancer surgeries. Rush is among only a handful of medical centers to receive this recognition for both programs in the United States.

Designation for the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center: National Institute on Aging

The Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center is one of only 31 Alzheimer's disease research centers across the country designated and funded by the National Institute on Aging of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Accreditation for Rush University Cancer Center: American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer

The Rush University Cancer Center is fully accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.

Accreditation for the Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic: the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy

The Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy. Rush's transplant program is fully accredited for allogeneic and autologous marrow and peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation, including cell collection and laboratory processing.

Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer

Rush is a designated National Pancreas Foundation Center of Excellence. This designation recognizes Rush's multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic cancer, treating the whole patient with a focus on the best possible outcomes and improved quality of life. Rush is the first health system in Illinois to earn this designation.

Center of Excellence Designation for Rush Breast Imaging Center: American College of Radiology

The Rush Breast Imaging Center has been designated a breast imaging center of excellence by the American College of Radiology. A center of excellence designation is awarded to breast imaging centers that have demonstrated excellence in breast imaging by achieving accreditation in mammography, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided biopsy and stereotactic breast biopsy.

Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery

Rush University Medical Center has been designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery. This designation recognizes Rush’s commitment to high-quality care, patient safety and providing the best possible outcomes for our spine surgery patients. It also reflects our expertise with cervical and lumbar fusion, cervical laminectomy and lumbar laminectomy/discectomy procedures, which contributes to fewer complications and readmissions compared to other facilities.  

Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Program: Parkinson's Foundation

Rush University Medical Center has been designated as a Center of Excellence by the Parkinson's Foundation. As a Center of Excellence, Rush is part of a group of the world's leading Parkinson's specialists who are focused on changing the course of the disease, and are widely renowned for outstanding performance in Parkinson's research, care and outreach.

Center of Excellence (Level 2) Designation for Huntington's Disease Program: Huntington's Disease Society of America

The Huntington's disease program at Rush has been designated by the Huntington's Disease Society of America as a Center of Excellence since 2005. Rush was the first in Illinois to receive this distinction. As an HDSA Center of Excellence, Rush offers an elite, multidisciplinary, holistic approach to Huntington's disease care and research.

Center of Excellence for Tourette Syndrome: Tourette Syndrome Association of America

The Tourette Syndrome Association Center of Excellence program aims to improve the quality of life of people with Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders by promoting the highest level of care, research, education and training, and advocacy and awareness for these conditions. In receiving this prestigious designation in 2019, Rush became the first and only TAA Center of Excellence in Illinois.

Level 4 Accreditation for the RUSH Epilepsy Center: National Association of Epilepsy Centers

The Rush Epilepsy Center has been accredited as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers for providing a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. The association defines four levels of epilepsy care and accredits centers that provide level 3 and 4 care. Among other advantages, a level 4 center provides the more complex forms of intensive neurodiagnostic monitoring, as well as more extensive medical, neuropsychological and psychosocial treatment.

Center for Comprehensive Care Designation for the Rush Multiple Sclerosis Center: National MS Society

Rush has been recognized as a Center for Comprehensive Care through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Partners in MS Care program. Centers for Comprehensive Care are led by clinicians with demonstrated knowledge and experience in treating MS; offer and coordinate a full array of medical, nursing, mental health, rehabilitation and social services; and have a strong collaborative relationship with the National MS Society.

CurePSP Center of Care Designation for Rush's Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Program

Rush’s Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders has been named a CurePSP Center of Care by CurePSP Inc. Centers of Care serve as leading sources of information and support for patients, their caregivers, researchers and health care professionals on neurodegenerative conditions. The recognition was given for excellence in care of and advancement in therapies for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD) patients.

Research Center of Excellence for Lewy Body Dementia: Lewy Body Dementia Association

Rush is the only center in Illinois and one of only 33 centers nationwide to be named a Research Center of Excellence by the Lewy Body Dementia Association. As an LBDA Center of Excellence, Rush is helping to streamline and standardize LBD science, providing the most advanced Lewy body dementia care, and connecting patients and families with the latest opportunities to participate in LBD clinical trials.

Clinical Research Center of Excellence for Rett Syndrome: Rettsyndrome.org

Rush has been designated as one of only 14 Rett Syndrome Clinical Research Centers of Excellence in the nation, and the only one in Illinois, by Rettsyndrome.org (formerly the International Rett Syndrome Foundation). As a Rett Syndrome Clinical Research Center of Excellence, Rush features a team of specialists with substantial experience in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of people with Rett syndrome; partners with families and community health care providers to deliver care that is comprehensive and appropriate for each family's individual needs; and is dedicated to streamlining care delivery.

Gold Level Center of Excellence in Life Support for ECMO: International Extracorporeal Life Support Organization

In 2019, Rush was once again designated a Gold Level Center of Excellence in Life Support for both adult and pediatric extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients. The award, given by the International Extracorporeal Life Support Organization, recognizes Rush as a distinguished leader in critical care for ECMO, a therapy that uses an artificial heart and lung bypass machine to support patients whose organs are failing despite all other treatments. Rush was the first adult and pediatric medical center in Illinois to receive the Gold Level designation from the organization (in 2016). The latest designation extends the recognition until 2022.

Other program recognitions

Heart care program recognition

• Mission: Lifeline STEMI Accreditation: the American Heart Association and the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
  This accreditation is provided through a partnership between the American Heart Association and the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. To earn this accreditation, hospitals must meet standards for prompt, appropriate heart attack treatment, including lifesaving procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on a 24/7 basis. RUSH is one of only two hospitals in Chicago to receive this accreditation.

Rehabilitation accreditation

• The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
  The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities is an independent, not-for-profit accreditor of health and human services. Accreditation involves an on-site survey to determine whether a facility operates in accordance with the commission's standards of quality. The Johnson R. Bowman Health Center at Rush has received the maximum three-year accreditation from the commission for both its general inpatient rehabilitation program and its stroke specialty program.

Pathology and laboratories accreditation

• The College of American Pathologists and the Joint Commission
  The laboratories at Rush are accredited by the College of American Pathologists and the Joint Commission. Joint Commission laboratory accreditation standards address processes that follow laboratory specimens through the laboratory from collection to result reporting, focusing on the provision of high quality, safe laboratory services.

Stroke care recognition

• Certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center — the Joint Commission
  Rush has been certified as a comprehensive stroke center by the Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. The certification confirms that Rush's stroke program has met the highest national standards for safety and quality of care, and further enhances its national reputation as an innovator in health care.
• Gold Seal of Approval to the Stroke Program at Rush — the Joint Commission
  Earning the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission, the stroke program at Rush has been certified as a primary stroke center. This certification recognizes hospitals that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care.
• Gold Plus Achievement Award and Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll Award — American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
  Rush University Medical Center is one of only two hospitals in Chicago to receive both the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's (AHA/ASA) Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award and the AHA/ASA's Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll Award. These prestigious awards recognize Rush's commitment to providing the most appropriate stroke treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Rush SurgiCenter hip and knee replacement certification

Rush SurgiCenter has been recognized as a DNV certified Hip & Knee Replacement Center. The certification is based on standards set forth by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, which recognizes program excellence in patient care and outcomes. This designation validates the center’s excellence across the spectrum of hip and knee replacement care, from diagnosis to treatment, rehabilitation, education and outcomes.

 Magnet Designation

Rush Copley Medical Center achieved Magnet with Distinction recognition in 2024.

Joint Commission accreditation

RUSH Copley Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission. The Joint Commission also accredits the In Vitro Fertilization Laboratory at RUSH Copley on a biennial basis. This accreditation attests to the quality and safety provided in assisting couples to achieve successful pregnancy outcomes.

• Breast Health Center
• Cancer care
• Emergency services
• Family Birth Center
• Family Medicine Residency program
• Heart and vascular care
• Imaging
• Intermediate and intensive care
• Laboratory services
• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation
• Certifications

Breast Health Center

Rush Copley Medical Center has earned a full accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation is given to centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care and undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance.

Cancer care

• American College of Radiology accreditation 
  Radiation oncology at Rush Copley Medical Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology. Accreditation is granted to facilities that meet a peer-review evaluation for achieving high practice standards. The program also evaluates personnel qualifications, facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs.
• Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons accreditation
  Rush Copley’s Cancer Care program is accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation demonstrates commitment to provide quality cancer care to the community and is the highest designation a community cancer center can attain. In 2018, Rush Copley received the Commission on Cancer's Outstanding Achievement Award.
• Cancer Care Center recognized for excellence in lung cancer screening
  Rush Copley Cancer Care Center has earned recognition as a Center of Excellence by GO2 for Lung Cancer for providing the community with patient-centered, evidence-based lung cancer screening. This recognition connects Rush Copley to a nationwide network of other Centers of Excellence which collaborate and share their knowledge of advancements in early detection, treatment and care.

Emergency services

• Emergency department recognized for pediatrics care
  Rush Copley's emergency department has received recognition and approval for the care of pediatric patients by the Illinois Department of Public Health as an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics. The emergency department is also recognized and approved by the State of Illinois as a Level II Trauma Center.

Family Birth Center

• U.S. News & World Report
  RUSH Copley Medical Center has been recognized as High Performing in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) in the Best Hospitals for Maternity by U.S. News & World Report. Only one-third of the hospitals evaluated earned the High Performing rating.
• Healthgrades 2020 Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award
  This award recognized RUSH Copley in the top 10% of hospitals evaluated that provide outstanding performance in gynecologic surgery, including hysterectomy and surgery related to the female reproductive system.
• Family Birth Center named a Level III neonatal intensive care unit
  The Family Birth Center at RUSH Copley has been designated a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by the Illinois Department of Public Heath for providing care to high-risk mothers and newborns. RUSH Copley is Kane County's first Level III hospital.

Family Medicine Residency program

• Recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
  Rush Copley's family medicine residency is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for providing the highest quality primary, subspecialty and preventive health care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The residency adheres to the goals and objectives of the American Board of Family Practice, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the Residency Review Committee.

Heart and vascular care

• 2023 Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology
  Rush Copley has been recognized for providing a high standard of care for heart attack patients by the American College of Cardiology and is one of only 140 hospitals nationwide to receive this honor.
• Chest Pain Center
  Rush Copley Medical Center has earned full accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with PCI and Resuscitation from the American College of Cardiology. The designation recognizes Rush Copley's efforts to enhance outcomes by initiating proactive treatment strategies.
• Accredited in adult transthoracic echocardiography and nuclear cardiology
• Rush Copley Medical Center is accredited in adult transthoracic echocardiography and nuclear cardiology by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. Accreditation is given to facilities that are found to provide quality patient care in compliance with national standards.
• Certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation has certified both Rush Copley's Cardiac Rehabilitation program and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program for offering the most advanced practices available and being a leader in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Imaging

• Ultrasound services accreditation
  Rush Copley Medical Center's imaging services has received accreditation for a commitment to quality and safety by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories and the American College of Radiology for general, obstetrical, gynecological and vascular examinations. Our imaging services are also accredited by the Fetal Medicine Foundation for nuchal translucency examinations, and by the Nuchal Translucency Quality Review Program for nuchal translucency examinations.
• MRI and CT services accreditation
  Rush Copley's MRI and CT services are accredited by the American College of Radiology for providing the highest level of image quality and patient safety.
• Mammography accreditation
  Rush Copley has been accredited for mammography by the American College of Radiology. In addition, Rush Copley Medical Center and Midwest Center for Advanced Imaging are designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology for earning accreditation in all of its voluntary breast imaging accreditation programs. Rush Copley is the only hospital in the greater Fox Valley area, and only one of a handful of facilities in Illinois, to receive the designation.

Intermediate and intensive care

• Beacon Award for Excellence
  Intermediate care and intensive care at Rush Copley Medical Center have received gold-level Beacon Awards for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. The awards recognize exceptional patient care, healthy work environments and unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with the association's six Healthy Work Environment standards.

Laboratory services

• Commission on Laboratory Accreditation
  Rush Copley's laboratory services received accreditation from the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists. Rush Copley Medical Center Laboratory is one of a select group of laboratories that meet rigorous laboratory standards designed to help ensure quality patient care.

Neuroscience

• Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers
  Rush Copley Medical Center excels in the treatment and diagnosis of stroke. The Joint Commission, in conjunction with the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, recognized Rush Copley with Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. Certification recognizes an organization’s dedication to fostering better outcomes for patients.
• Gold seal of approval
  Rush Copley Medical Center’s Stroke Program is the first in Kane County and the Fox Valley region to be certified by the Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers and earn its Gold Seal of Approval for providing the highest level of care for patients who have had a stroke.
• Get With the Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award
  Rush  Copley Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines - Stroke quality achievement award and was also named to the Target Stroke Honor Roll. The award recognizes RUSH Copley's commitment to and success in ensuring that patients who have had a stroke receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

Rehabilitation

• Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission Facilities recognition
  The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission Facilities establishes nationally recognized standards of quality in rehabilitation programs or services. Rush Copley has achieved this recognition for its rehabilitation services and stroke specialty care.
• Newsweek’s 2023 Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers
  Rush Copley was names to Newsweek’s list of the nation’s top physical rehabilitation facilities based on quality of care, quality of service, quality of follow-up care and accommodation and amenities.

Certifications

• Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
  For the fifth consecutive year, nurses in Day Surgery and the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit at Rush Copley Medical Center have been inducted into the prestigious Leadership Circle of the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification. The honor comes after 100% of eligible perianesthesia registered nurses earned Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse or Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse certifications. Rush Copley is one of just two recognized PACU and Day Surgery units in the United States that have obtained 100% certification.
• Diabetes Center
  The outpatient Diabetes Education Center at Rush Copley Medical Center is recognized by the American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Program as a provider of high-quality education services.

Rush Oak Park Hospital named Most Wired by Hospitals & Health Networks Magazine

For demonstrating leadership in the use of information technology, Rush Oak Park Hospital has been listed among the most wired hospitals in the nation. 

Top teaching hospital

Rush Oak Park Hospital was recognized as a Top Teaching Hospital, one of only 55 in the country, from the Leapfrog Group.

Beacon Award

Rush Oak Park intensive care unit was recognized with a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Healthgrades Patient Safety Award

Rush Oak Park Hospital is one of only 458 hospitals across the nation to achieve Healthgrades' Patient Safety Excellence Award, which places it among the top 10% of all short-term acute care hospitals reporting patient safety data.

CMS Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey

Rush Oak Park Hospital received a four-star rating based on data from the CMS Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey.

Top surgical hospital

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program recognized Rush Oak Park Hospital as one of 52 participating hospitals that have achieved meritorious outcomes on surgical patient care.

Five Star Rating for Quality and Patient Experience

Rush Oak Park Hospital received five stars, the highest possible, for quality and patient experience from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Magnet Designation

The hospital is a Magnet designated hospital, the most prestigious honor a health care organization can achieve for nursing excellence and high-quality patient care. 

Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award

Rush Oak Park Hospital received the 2020 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Stoke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital's commitment to ensure stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines on the latest scientific evidence. 

Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Certification

Gold Seal of Approval for our dedication to providing safe, high-quality care, treatment and services to our patients diagnosed with diabetes.

LGBTQ Healthcare equity

Rush Oak Park Hospital received a score of 100 and has been designated a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality in the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equity Index (HEI) 2020.

Leapfrog 'A' Grade for Safety

Rush Oak Park Hospital is regularly rated the highest possible score for patient safety — an A grade — by the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit patient safety watchdog organization.

Primary Stroke Certification

Rush Oak Park Hospital's telemedicine stroke technology is certified by the Joint Commission. Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes hospitals that meet standards to support better outcomes for stroke care.

Echocardiography accreditation

Rush Oak Park Hospital's cardiology services is accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for its echocardiography technology.

Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Certification

Since 2007, Rush Oak Park Hospital has been awarded the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for our dedication to providing safe, high-quality care, treatment and services to patients diagnosed with diabetes.

Chest Pain-MI Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award 

The hospital is one of only 60 nationwide to receive the American College of cardiology's NCDR Chest Pain-MI registry Gold Performance Achievement Award for 2020.

Laboratory Services accreditation 

Accredited by the College of American Pathology, Rush Oak Park's laboratory services are dedicated to providing high-quality and timely lab services.

Diagnostic Imaging accreditation

Rush Oak Park has been designated a breast imaging center of excellence by the American College of Radiology. A center of excellence designation is awarded to breast imaging centers that have demonstrated excellence in breast imaging by achieving accreditation in mammography, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided biopsy and stereotactic breast biopsy.

ADA-Recognized Education Services

For the past 20 years, the Rush Oak Park Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Care has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association for providing outstanding education and services to patients in the community who have been diagnosed with diabetes.