Rush University System for Health has been named to the 2020 Center for Companies That Care Honor Roll, a national list recognizing both for-profit and not-for-profit employers for outstanding workplace practices and active community involvement.
In past years, Companies That Care determined inclusion in its Honor Roll based on 10 characteristics of socially responsible employers. In response to COVID-19, this year the organization focused on the 10th characteristic — “consider the human toll when making business decisions” — and asked businesses how they have made this consideration during the pandemic.
The Rush system was chosen for the Honor Roll in recognition of support it provided to front-line health care workers and to the surrounding community, particularly its commitment to investigating the social determinants of health, including poverty, racial inequity and access to care.
To support and take care of its employees, Rush made available a 24/7 counseling service and a series of webinars for employees and Rush University students hosted by the Rush system’s chief wellness officer. Rush University Medical Center established a wellness resource center in the hospital’s main thoroughfare and additional wellness rooms in hospital units. In addition, Rush system hospitals recognized employees and teams for their roles in the COVID-19 response in their internal email newsletters.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic approached Chicago, we recognized it would require an extraordinary response to meet the needs of our community while protecting our employees,” said Richa Gupta, MBBS, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Rush University Medical Group, who led the System's response to the pandemic. “We mobilized tremendous resources to provide testing and treatment for patients, including accepting many transfers of some of the most acutely ill patients in Chicago, while also supporting our employees with additional transportation options, greater flexibility in the use of time off and a rapid transition of many of our non-clinical employees to working from home.
“In these and many other ways, Rush University System for Health demonstrated the human values that are fundamental to what Rush is and what we do, and we’re proud that our dedication to the health and well-being of our patients and employees alike has been recognized by inclusion in the Companies That Care Honor Roll.”
“What employers submitted in their applications about their response to COVID-19 was truly inspiring,” said Marci Koblenz, co-founder and president of Companies That Care. “The impact on people was and is front and center as our Honor Roll determined how to address the many challenges presented by the virus. They have stayed the course in taking into account the human toll when making business decisions. They have emphasized safety, communications, stability and relationships.”
This year, Rush University Medical Center also was included in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Honor Roll, which recognized it as one of the top 20 medical centers in the nation for quality outcomes and clinical services.
