2024 - 2025 Addenda and Errata

Errata Sheet for Rush University 2024 - 2025 University Catalog

This errata serves as the official notification of changes to the 2024 - 2025 catalog and should be used in conjunction with the printed and online versions.

Listed below are any changes, additions, corrections, or modifications to the 2024 - 2025 catalog since the 2024 published edition.  These changes have been authorized by the program director, college administration or University administration.

Erratum for Rush Medical College

Requested on: September 9, 2024

Submitted by: David J. Nelson, MBA

Section(s): Course Descriptions

The course descriptions for a small number of medical student courses are out-of-date. The course descriptions below are the correction versions:

FAM - 705 Family Medicine Leadership Program (FMLP)

The Family Medicine Leadership Program (FMLP) is a longitudinal curriculum designed to meet the health needs of the population by training a select group of primary care focused medical students to become family medicine clinicians, mentors and leaders. The curriculum emphasizes patient-centered, community-based, interdisciplinary and experiential learning, with leadership development throughout the student’s participation in the program. Students work with family medicine faculty mentors and become an integral part of the community-based clinical care team, gaining an appreciation for continuity of care by following their own panel of patients over time, observing the course of illness and recovery. The students participate in extracurricular learning activities that emphasize the patient-centered medical home, promote community service and scholarly pursuits, require independent study and self-directed learning and allow for significant personal and professional growth. Offered: fall, spring and summer. Retake Counts for Credit: Yes. Pass/No Pass Grading Allowed: No. Credit(s): 1

RMD - 563 Food to Fuel

This course is a survey of the normal gross and microscopic anatomy and physiology of the digestive system and also a survey of intermediary metabolism including carbohydrate, amino acid and lipid metabolic pathways. This course material will be applied to understanding of disease states related to the dysfunction of organs of the digestive system, digestive system function or errors in metabolism. Students will also learn appropriate diagnostic modalities in evaluation of diseases that affect the digestive system and nutritional status. Students will be expected to describe the mechanism of action and use of pharmacologic agents for the treatment of these diseases. Students will be expected to construct differential diagnoses for common presenting symptoms in diseases of the digestive system or that relate to nutritional status. Students will learn how to collect an appropriate history and conduct a relevant physical exam and to recognize abnormal findings in this exam. Finally, students will also learn about the roles a physician plays, such as an advocate, communicator, collaborator, educator, leader, professional, practitioner and scholar. Offered: spring. Retake Counts for Credit: No. Pass/No Pass Grading Allowed: No. Credit(s): 7

RMD - 564 Movement and Mechanics

This course will use a multidisciplinary case-based format to approach the structure and function of cells, tissues and organs as they pertain to the function and regulation of the musculoskeletal system. Students will learn to identify alterations and underlying pathophysiology that occur in the disease state, the significance of symptoms, signs and other ancillary data. Students will also learn appropriate diagnostic modalities in the evaluation of diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system. Students will be expected to describe the mechanism of action and use of pharmacologic agents for the treatment of these diseases. Students will be expected to construct differential diagnoses for common presenting symptoms in musculoskeletal diseases. Students will learn how to collect an appropriate history and conduct a relevant physical exam and to recognize abnormal findings in this exam. Students will also learn key techniques in communicating with patients, families and colleagues. Finally, students may examine epidemiological, social and environmental aspects that intersect with musculoskeletal system disease as well as select ethical issues related to the clinical cases presented in the course. Offered: spring. Retake Counts for Credit: No. Pass/No Pass Grading Allowed: No. Credit(s): 5

RMD - 565 Brain, Behavior and Cognition

This course will use a multidisciplinary, case-based approach to the structure and function of cells, tissues and organs as they pertain to the function and regulation of the nervous system. Students will learn to identify alterations and underlying pathophysiology that occur in the disease state, the significance of symptoms, signs and other ancillary data. Students will also learn appropriate diagnostic modalities in evaluation of diseases that affect the nervous system. Students will be expected to describe the mechanism of action and use of pharmacologic agents for the treatment of these diseases.  Students will be expected to construct differential diagnoses for common presenting symptoms and learn how to communicate with patients in order to take an appropriate history and conduct a relevant neurologic exam, to recognize abnormal findings in this exam and to localize the abnormal findings to specific parts of the nervous system. This course will also introduce and expand on psychiatric disorders, how to interpret DSM-V criteria and how to treat these conditions. In addition, the course will include epidemiological and socioeconomic aspects
of nervous system disease and explore selected ethical issues related to the clinical cases presented in the course. Offered: summer. Retake Counts for Credit: No. Pass/No Pass Grading Allowed: No. Credit(s): 8

RMD - 574 Vital Fluids

This course will use a multidisciplinary case-based approach to the structure and function of cells, tissues and organs as they pertain to regulation of blood pressure and its major constituents, the supply of tissue metabolic needs and the disposal of metabolic end products. To this end, the cardiovascular and renal systems in the normal and disease state will be presented. Students will learn to identify alterations and underlying pathophysiology which occur in the disease state, the significance of symptoms, signs and other ancillary data. Students will also learn to recognize the appropriate diagnostic modalities in evaluation of diseases that affect the cardiovascular and renal function. Students will be expected to describe the mechanism of action and use of pharmacologic agents for the treatment of these diseases. Students will be expected to construct differential diagnoses for common presenting symptoms in cardiovascular and renal diseases. Students will learn how to collect an appropriate history and conduct a relevant physical exam and to recognize abnormal findings in this exam. Students will also learn about the roles a physician plays such as an advocate, communicator, collaborator, educator, leader, professional, practitioner and scholar. Offered: fall. Retake Counts for Credit: No. Pass/No Pass Grading Allowed: No. Credit(s): 9

RMD - 575 Vital Gases

This course will use a multidisciplinary case-based approach to the structure and function of cells, tissues and organs as they pertain to the pulmonary system and oxygen transport in the blood, the major constituents of the system, the supply of tissue metabolic needs and the disposal of metabolic end products. To this end, the respiratory system in the normal and disease state will be presented. Students will learn to identify alterations and underlying pathophysiology which occur in the disease state, the significance of symptoms, signs and other ancillary data. Students will also learn appropriate diagnostic modalities in evaluation of diseases that affect the respiratory system. Students will be expected to describe the mechanism of action and use of pharmacologic agents for the treatment of these diseases. Students will be expected to construct differential diagnoses for common presenting symptoms in respiratory system diseases. Students will learn how to collect an appropriate history and conduct a relevant physical exam and to recognize abnormal findings in this exam. Students will also learn about the roles a physician play such as an advocate, communicator, collaborator, educator, leader, professional, practitioner and scholar. Offered: spring. Retake Counts for Credit: No. Pass/No Pass Grading Allowed: No. Credit(s): 4

RMD - 750 Transition to Residency

This course will provide fourth-year medical students the opportunity to gain the necessary skills to prepare and navigate the residency program placement process. Students will participate in enrichment activities that will assist in the preparation and completion of USMLE Step CK. They will receive residency interview guidance in individual and small group sessions and subsequently participate in mock interviews. Course content also includes thematic topics to complete Rush University Medical Center designated horizontal, vertical and role curriculum. Students will develop a portfolio, including but not limited to the following: letters of recommendation requests, noteworthy characteristics for MSPE, completion and submission of ERAS applications, curriculum vitae and personal statements. Offered: fall, spring and summer. Retake Counts for Credit: No. Pass/No Pass Grading Allowed: No. Credit(s): 4

Erratum for College of Health Sciences

Requested on: September 9, 2024

Submitted by: David J. Nelson, MBA

Section(s): Course Descriptions

The course descriptions for a small number of Health Systems Management courses are out-of-date. The course descriptions below are the correction versions:

HSM - 656 Master’s Project I

The overall goal of this course is to integrate quantitative and/or qualitative methods and health care management knowledge to address a problem that is important to health care delivery, management or policy. In this course, students will design and conduct an applied project (research, operational improvement, strategic planning, financial analysis, among others) that results in a high quality, compelling management report and two professional oral presentations to key stakeholders. The key components of this course include integrating and synthesizing information from multiple sources; developing an appropriate problem/research question; developing an appropriate analysis plan; integrating rigorous analytic methods with data management skills to analyze data; and interpreting quantitative or qualitative results in light of the existing literature, domain knowledge and best practices to provide new insight for health care management or policy. During semester II, students execute the proposed study by requesting the necessary data, analyzing the data, interpreting the results, implementation of recommendations as required and writing the final Master’s project report. Student will make a formal oral presentation of the findings to course instructors, other members of the faculty, student body and other interested persons during a special session during the spring semester and will submit a final written report to the course instructors. Prerequisites: HSM-606, HSM-607, HSM-608, HSM-610, HSM-613, HSM-614, HSM-616, HSM-628 and HSM-636. Complete HSM-632 or CHS-601. Offered: fall and spring. Retake Counts for Credit: No. Pass/No Pass Grading Allowed: No. Credit(s): 3

HSM - 660 Master’s Project II

The overall goal of this course is to integrate quantitative and/or qualitative methods and health care management knowledge to address a problem that is important to health care delivery, management or policy. In this course, students will design and conduct an applied project (research, operational improvement, strategic planning, financial analysis, among others) that results in a high quality, compelling management report and two professional oral presentations to key stakeholders. The key components of this course include integrating and synthesizing information from multiple sources; developing an appropriate problem/research question; developing an appropriate analysis plan; integrating rigorous analytic methods with data management skills to analyze data; and interpreting quantitative or qualitative results in light of the existing literature, domain knowledge and best practices to provide new insight for health care management or policy. During semester II, students execute the proposed study by requesting the necessary data, analyzing the data, interpreting the results, implementation of recommendations as required and writing the final Master’s project report. Student will make a formal oral presentation of the findings to course instructors, other members of the faculty, student body and other interested persons during a special session during the spring semester and will submit a final written report to the course instructors. Prerequisites: HSM-606, HSM-608, HSM-610, HSM-616, HSM-628, HSM-636 and HSM-656. Take either HSM-632 or CHS-601. Offered: spring and summer. Retake Counts for Credit: No. Pass/No Pass Grading Allowed: No. Credit(s): 2

Erratum for Rush University Academic and University Policies

Requested on: September 9, 2024

Submitted by: David J. Nelson, MBA

Section(s): Academic Policy - Academic Honesty

The following text should replace the entire Academic Honesty policy in this catalog:

Academic Honesty

Rush University students and faculty belong to an academic community with high scholarly standards and one that is committed to honesty and integrity in teaching, learning and research.  Academic honesty violations are serious breaches of trust that hinder the success that the Rush academic community depends upon. The Rush University Academic Honesty Policy provides information on the types of behavior that violates​ this trust and the actions that will be taken to safeguard and restore it.

Academic honesty violations are counter to the RUSH ICARE core values of innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence. As essential as academic honesty is to the trust that is fundamental to the educational process, academic misconduct violates one of the most basic ethical principles of an academic community and will result in sanctions imposed under the University’s disciplinary system.

Examples of academic misconduct that would subject a student to disciplinary action include but are not limited to​: ​​cheating; plagiarism; collusion; gaining or seeking unfair advantage in relation to any work submitted; helping others to gain an unfair advantage; removing examination materials from a secure examination area; the unauthorized downloading or copying of examinations that are given online; fabricating assigned academic work, including clinical assessments, and presenting them as authentic; facilitating academic dishonesty; and unauthorized examination behavior.

• Academic Misconduct refers to any academic behavior that is in violation of the policy.
• Plagiarism refers to any attempt by students to use the work, words or ideas of others without proper attribution, or any attempt to pass off the work, words or ideas of others as their own.  Such acts are considered plagiarism whether they occur intentionally. Acts of plagiarism include but are not limited to:
  • Presenting any phrase or extracts, verbatim, without using quotation marks and without any reference to the author.
  • Paraphrasing all or part of an author’s work and presenting it without any, or with inadequate, reference to the author.
  • Copying or paraphrasing all or part of another student’s work or otherwise presenting another student’s work as their own.
• Collusion is an agreement or cooperation in order to cheat or deceive for a fraudulent purpose. Collusion applies to students (past, present and future) who intentionally cooperate in order to gain an unfair advantage in the gaining of an award, qualification or grade.
• Cheating is using unauthorized materials, including electronic devices, or obtaining unauthorized help from another person in any work submitted for academic credit.
• Fabrication is inventing information or citations in an academic or clinical exercise.
• Facilitating academic dishonesty is providing unauthorized material or information to another person.
• Unauthorized examination behavior is conversing with another person, passing or receiving material to/from another person or source or temporarily leaving an examination site to visit an unauthorized site or without permission.

Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary actions will be imposed by the program/college including but not limited to warning, probation, suspension or expulsion from the University on those members of the learning community who violate the Academic Honesty Policy.

Addendum for Rush University Academic and University Policies

Requested on: September 9, 2024

Submitted by: David J. Nelson, MBA

Section(s): Academic Policy - Rush University Influenza Vaccination Compliance

The following policy is missing from the Catalog and is being added:

Rush University Influenza Vaccination Compliance

In following the RUSH Personnel Influenza Immunization Plan, OP-0358, all Rush University students are to be immunized against influenza annually as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (CDC/ACIP) and approved by RUSH Infection Prevention and Control unless an exemption has been granted. 

Online-only students with no on-campus presence are generally exempt from this policy. However, students in online-only programs or any student who​ is approved for an exemption must follow the vaccination policy of any host site (including clinical or experiential rotations), which may require vaccination and proof thereof. Further, all students, including online learners, who anticipate a need to come to campus at any point must abide by the Influenza vaccination requirement set forth in this policy. To keep the campus community safe and healthy, the University will continue to adhere to the public health guidelines that may include additional measures deemed appropriate. Students​​​​ should regularly check their Rush emails and University policies for any updates or follow-up communications.

Rush University students who have been vaccinated are not required to wear the designated influenza vaccination identifier on their student ID badge during the defined influenza season. Rush University students who are also RUSH Employees, need to follow the policy and procedures outlined by RUSH to maintain compliance of their employee status. The designed influenza vaccination identifier requirement is subject to change for Rush University students if there is a surge of cases and/or becomes a requirement mandated by RUSH.

• Deadline: Influenza season typically occurs between October 1 and March 31. The deadline for receiving the vaccine will be determined on an annual basis by RUSH Infection Prevention and Control and will be communicated to students.
• Proof of vaccination: Proof of vaccination should be submitted using the college-specific immunization process. Students are required to submit proof of vaccination only by using their Rush ​University email account. General questions are to be submitted to Student_Health@rush.edu.
• Exemptions: Request for an exemption from the influenza vaccine must be submitted annually.

  • Medical Exemption: Exemption from the Influenza vaccination requirement for medical contraindications may be requested by providing signed and dated documentation from the student’s health care provider indicating exemption from the influenza vaccine, the medical contraindication(s), and duration of the exemption. It is the student’s responsibility to submit this request. 

  • Religious Exemption: Exemption from the Influenza vaccination based on a sincerely held religious belief may be requested by completing a written and signed application by the student detailing the student’s objection to immunization. The objection must set forth the specific religious beliefs that conflict with immunization. The religious objection may be personal and need not be directed by the tenets of an established religious organization. It is the student’s responsibility to submit this request. ​

  • For additional information about submitting a medical or religious exemption, contact Student_Health@rush.edu.

• Noncompliance: Rush students determined not in compliance with this policy will receive an email directly from Student Health, including their college representative(s), 24 hours or 1 business day after the compliance deadline. The student and college representative(s) will be notified that Student Health will be implementing the University’s Influenza Noncompliance Consequence Structure. Student and college representative(s) are notified of a registration hold placed on the student’s account, that will be removed upon compliance with the influenza vaccination requirement.

Addendum for Rush University Academic and University Policies

Requested on: September 9, 2024

Submitted by: David J. Nelson, MBA

Section(s): Academic Policy - Demonstration

The following policy is missing from the Catalog and is being added:

Demonstration

Rush University recognizes the importance of freedom of inquiry and the open exchange of ideas, including viewpoints that may not reflect majority opinions. This policy addresses free expression and peaceful demonstration by members of the Rush community, including faculty, staff, students and invited guests.

Rush is committed to supporting the rights of community members to engage in freedom of expression, including peaceful protests and orderly demonstrations.  As an academic medical center serving the community, applicable Rush policies, as well as state and federal laws must be taken into consideration. The right of Rush community members to demonstrate may not disrupt University operations and may not interfere with the rights of others to engage in and benefit from the educational programs and services of the University or its affiliated hospitals. Accordingly, the following guidelines are place:

• Community members may not prevent or obstruct the speech or expression of another community member. Provided, Rush Security or other University officials may act consistent with this Policy to ensure the speech or other expression of community members is consistent with the guidelines in this Policy.

• Community members may not interfere with the rights of others to participate or not participate in a University activity. No community member may employ force or violence, or constitute an immediate threat of force or violence, against persons or property.

• Community members may not claim to speak for or otherwise represent the University or RUSH, unless officially sanctioned by the President or their designee.

• Community members may not engage in disruptive conduct that substantially prevents, impairs, or obstructs the operations of the University or RUSH’s clinical mission, including but not limited to teaching, study, research, patient care, or administrative activities. No community member may use or occupy campus facilities so as to disrupt or impede such events or activities in a manner that deprives others of the benefit or enjoyment of the facility or activities. Space may be occupied only when assigned through established University procedures. Demonstrations may not impede the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, block thoroughfares, or obstruct the entry or exit points of campus buildings. Demonstrations must occur within the hours of normal operations of the facility or the space in which they occur (if applicable) unless prior approval is obtained. Placards, banners, and signs generally are allowed in accordance with Rush’s signage policies, but may not be used in a manner that is dangerous or serves as an impediment to others.

• The role of Rush Security during a demonstration is to maximize the safety and security of community members as well as University property. When enforcing this Policy, other Rush policies, or applicable law, Rush Security or other University officials may request community members to identify themselves and/or to relocate or leave a University location. If placards, banners, or signs are deemed to be dangerous or serve as an impediment to others, Rush Security or other University Officials may request the community members carrying the placards, banners, or signs to move to a different location or remove their materials. When possible, participants will first be given a warning to leave or relocate or remove placards, banners, or signs unless a safety issue prevents that step and requires immediate action. Community members are expected to follow these requests.

• Community members participating in demonstrations are subject to other applicable University and RUSH policies, city ordinances, and state and federal law.

• While faculty and employees may attend and participate in demonstrations, they may not use Rush resources to support or endorse any particular cause or matter without prior approval. They must also follow applicable time and attendance processes for events taking place during working hours.

• This policy is not intended to preclude or dissuade any employee from engaging in activities protected by state or federal law, including the National Labor Relations Act.​

Advance Arrangements:

•  Students and/or student groups are encouraged to notify the Office of Student Life and ​​Engagement in advance of any demonstration. Advance notice allows the University to help ensure that the event takes place in a constructive and peaceful manner.  Community members are expected to follow applicable guidelines for seeking permission to use University space to conduct demonstrations. When conducting such events, student organizers are expected to promote a safe environment and, to the best of their ability, ensure participants adhere to the Student Code of Conduct (UAC0030). Faculty and staff must adhere to the RUSH Code of Conduct (HR-A 01.00) and RUSH Prohibition on Disruptive Conduct (HR-E 01.50).
  
  A student or student group planning a demonstration is required to submit an event request form to the Office of Student Life and Engagement no later than five (5) days before the event. If an external speaker is scheduled to attend the demonstration, they should complete a legal speaker agreement/contract following Rush legal requirements. A fully executed agreement should be in place prior to the event.
• For events occurring on city sidewalks and streets adjacent to the University, students should make appropriate arrangements to acquire city permits and should adhere to city ordinances and applicable state and federal law.
• Occasionally an invited speaker or event will raise a credible likelihood (based on prior incidents or communications of intent) that the speaker or event may prompt a demonstration or become the target of threats or violence. In these circumstances, community members planning an event are encouraged to notify the Office of Student Life and Engagement and/or Rush Security as soon as is feasible to consult and conduct a risk assessment.
• Community members planning an event may need additional security, especially if there is a possibility of protest or dissent. Rush Security will assess and determine the safety and security needs for the event. Their assessment may result in the presence of security officers, and processes such as bag-check, event ticketing, and other steps to maximize the safety of attendees and the broader community.