With Rush’s reputation bolstered by honors such as all three Rush hospitals receiving high ratings for quality and patient experience from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, achieving Magnet designation, and being awarded high rankings by U.S. News & World Report — including Rush University Medical Center’s inclusion in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll — plus national media attention for Rush’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers increasingly are seeking out Rush University System for Health websites to find health information and health care services. Now, multiple sites have become one with the launch of a new System website designed to better meet the needs of patients and their families.
This new platform features improved navigation and search functionality, an expanded news and information section, and a redesigned jobs portal for those wishing to become a part of the Rush team.
“Under the previous website model, the services offered across Rush University Medical Center, Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush Copley Medical Center remained separate,” said Ryan Nagdeman, associate vice president for marketing, Rush University Medical Center, who oversaw the integration of sites. “Not only does the new rush.edu wed together our hospitals’ services and programs, it also provides a unified approach, increasing consumer options for access to the excellent health care providers and services available from Rush University System for Health.”
Launched Monday, Oct. 26, the new site makes it easier for prospective patients to see easily:
- What services Rush provides
- Where Rush provide these services
- Who provides services
- How consumers can access services, whether in person or virtually, in Chicago or in multiple locations throughout the Chicago area.
Marie Mahoney, senior director of web and marketing communications, Rush University Medical Center, points to the site’s focus on the patient as the driving philosophy behind the design of rush.edu.
“We’ve organized the site around the needs of patients: what they’re looking for and how they look for it,” Mahoney said. “The new website combines the Rush University Medical Center, Rush Copley and Rush Oak Park web presences, balancing the strength of our national brand with the uniqueness of our individual locations.”
The new rush.edu is also a streamlined pathway for Rush On Demand, including an easy-to-use interface for consumers seeking quick access to Rush care through video visits (including scheduled video visits), E-Visits and same-day appointments.
“Telehealth usage is rapidly and significantly increasing in popularity,” said Tatyana Popkova, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, Rush University System for Health. “We were proactive in our emphasis on digital health solutions prior to the pandemic. COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of virtual health by patients and providers as an alternative to the traditional office visit, and consumers will find access to telemedicine and a seamless experience well integrated into the new site.”
Consumer content, news and other information has a new home on the site with Rush Stories, a content hub that combines storytelling from the many Rush communications vehicles under one umbrella — an additional convenience for internal and external Rush audiences looking to see what’s new across the System.
Job seekers will see a new approach to recruitment with a revamped careers section of the site, now featuring testimonials from employees as well as a single page that leads prospective candidates to job listings at all Rush locations. The career opportunities page also promotes the employee referral program, which gives system employees the chance to earn up to a $3,000 bonus for referring someone to a Rush job.
The new site underwent an extensive stakeholder review, with patients, referring physicians and clinical leaders across the System vetting information and providing suggestions that helped guide the site’s design and organization.
“This has been an incredibly rewarding undertaking,” Nagdeman said. “The groundswell of support from internal and external partners has been inspiring as we pushed this project over the finish line during an incredibly challenging time for hospitals around the globe. I could not be prouder of our team and more thankful to our many partners.”
