What is the process for referring a patient?
- Physicians can call RUSH at (312) 942-5483 to refer their patients for evaluation and liver transplantation services. Visit our Referring and Transferring Patients page to learn more.
- Our Referral Management Intake Team provides concierge scheduling for referrals.
- Our clinical team offers evening and weekend appointments, as well as secure virtual and telephone visits.
- Referring physicians can expect prompt, personal communication from their patients’ care team.
- Both patients and their referring physicians can directly contact transplant surgeons.
Why refer patients here?
- Excellent outcomes: Our liver transplant volumes have increased by over 40% in the past year, and our one-year patient survival rates for deceased donor liver transplants are higher than the national average and among the highest in the Chicago area, according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.
- National leaders in hepatology care: Many of our specialists hold high positions and fellowships in liver disease societies, such as the American Liver Foundation and the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease. Several have been named Top Doctors in the city by Chicago Magazine.
- Treatment closer to home: Our physicians bring expert liver disease care to many communities in the Chicago area, including Aurora, Bourbonnais, Libertyville, New Lenox, Highland Park, Glenview, Hoffman Estates, Elgin, Oakbrook, Naperville and Oak Lawn, as well as Munster and Chesterton in Indiana. Patients can get much of their treatment locally, including tertiary care.
- Expedient service: We recognize that patients with complex liver disease need timely care, so our physicians see patients quickly without long wait times. Referrals for liver transplant care are prioritized and are usually seen within two weeks. Patients who qualify for liver transplant are put on the active waiting list within 30 days.
- A team approach: Every liver transplant patient meets with a personalized care team that includes surgeons, hepatologists, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, nutritionists and nurse coordinators. The team collaborates with the patient to create a custom treatment plan.
- Ongoing education and clinical trials: Our liver care physicians teach and speak all over the world at liver disease conferences and recently began an annual American Association for the Study of Liver Disease education course. The first course, held in November 2023, had over 100 attendees. Our team also has one of the deepest research programs in Chicago with access to ongoing clinical trials. These include trials focused on new treatments for alcohol-related hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. This allows them to offer patients care that they may not find anywhere else.
Who are ideal candidates for treatment at RUSH?
RUSH offers care for all patients with advanced liver disease, including those who’ve undergone failed procedures and treatments in the past.
Our physicians run full diagnostic testing to ensure that patients can explore all treatment options, including liver transplant. Patients can also rely on our second opinion services before committing to a plan of care.
More About RUSH Liver Transplant Services
RUSH liver transplant surgeons and specialists are vastly experienced in the care of complex liver disease and transplants. Patients can rely on a comprehensive approach to liver care and transplant services.
Our specialists work across disciplines and include oncologists, interventional radiologists, transplant hepatologists and liver surgeons who explore all options.
Each patient also has access to nurse coordinators to help schedule appointments and handle documentation, social workers, financial coordinators, psychologists and lifestyle medicine services to ease symptoms and maintain or improve quality of life beyond their transplant procedure.
Conditions we treat
- Alcoholic Liver Disease
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Fatty Liver Disease
- Hemochromatosis
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
- Liver Cancer
- Primary Biliary Cholangitis
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Treatments and tests offered
- Liver Transplant and Evaluation
- Liver Biopsy
- Medication Management
- Nutrition Counseling
- Additional tertiary care for complicated liver disease and cancer, including TIPS procedures
