Medical students face multiple stressors during the course of their education. It can be overwhelming, anxiety provoking, leading to burnout or even dropout, if left unaddressed. Through a supportive and dynamic learning community, Rush Medical College nurtures the development of empathic, proficient physicians dedicated to continuous learning, innovation and excellence in clinical practice, education, research and service.
Rush Medical College cultivates an inclusive environment and culture, with new students experiencing this atmosphere from the onset of their enrollment. This culture serves as a guiding principle throughout each medical student’s professional development, with mentorship playing an integral role. The institution’s physician-led culture, dedication to community engagement, and comprehensive mentorship programs support the recruitment and retention of future physicians from the earliest stages of their education, through residency and into their subsequent careers.
Rush University System for Health is part of the AMA Health System Member Program, which provides enterprise solutions to equip leadership, physicians and care teams with resources to help drive the future of medicine.
“Fully engaged faculty provide guidance around every aspect of a medical career, including professional choices and personal relationships,” said Cynthia Boyd, MD, associate dean of admissions and recruitment at Rush Medical College. “That includes research opportunities, clinical experiences and leadership roles within the Rush system.”
Recognition and respect
Rush builds community among medical students, particularly those from historically excluded groups, through structured activities and peer support.
"Students from those groups may face additional hurdles such as isolation, microaggressions or lack of mentorship,” Dr. Boyd said. “Initiatives such as student affinity groups, diversity equity and inclusion programming, and consistent faculty engagement are designed to foster a sense of belonging, making students feel seen, supported and valued." Dr. Boyd believes that nurturing such a thought-out and intentional sense of welcome is essential.
“A sense of belonging is vital for students’ personal and professional development,” she said. “So, we’ve fostered an environment that recognizes and values diverse experiences and backgrounds. That creates a sense of well-being that is vital for success as a student now and as a working physician in the future.”
Support outside the classroom
Medical school is famously demanding, so Rush’s Center for Wellness offers mental health services and well-being programming that address stress, anxiety and depression, which disproportionately affect students from historically excluded racial and ethnic groups.
Other day-to-day stressors must be addressed, too.
“Financial burdens due to high tuition costs and living expenses may also deter some students from continuing, particularly those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds,” added Dr. Boyd.
Rush is proactive in addressing these issues with assistance that includes financial counseling and debt management to help those students navigate the expense of their medical education.
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“Career opportunities are also key to success in an academic health system,” Dr. Boyd said. Résumé and CV support, interview preparation, and connections to research and leadership opportunities are provided by Rush Medical College’s Office of Medical Student Affairs.
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Commitment through service and equity
Dr. Boyd and Rush medical education leadership realize that support must extend beyond graduation. After all, one of the most effective retention strategies is recruitment from within, and many of Rush’s medical students choose to stay for residency.
“A keen interest and commitment to exploring and researching health and policy initiatives around the social determinants of health is a big factor,” said Dr. Boyd. “Implementing community partnerships to end health disparities and promote health equity while pursuing specific research interests with the guidance of a Rush mentor or principal investigator is a major driver too.”
The Rush Community Service Initiatives Program (RCSIP) is a longtime and effective recruitment and retention tool. More than 90% of Rush students do community-based volunteer work through RCSIP.
“It provides opportunities for students, faculty, residents, fellows and staff to use their skills and talents to help the community,” said Dr. Boyd. “It also enhances teamwork, patient relationships and care for diverse populations while meeting the community’s very specific needs.”
Participation is voluntary and popular. In fact, 66% of current students cite RCSIP as a primary reason for choosing Rush in the first place.
“Its activities align with the findings from the Rush community health needs assessment and focus on access, health promotion and pipeline programs for health care careers,” said Dr. Boyd.
Sustaining values, shaping the future
The organization is intentionally scaling its success while preserving the core elements that make it an appealing and rewarding home for future physicians.
For Rush, recruitment is just the beginning. The real work lies in creating a lasting environment where students are empowered academically, professionally and personally. Through intentional mentorship, inclusive programming, well-being support and a strong sense of mission, Rush is cultivating not just future physicians, but future colleagues. It’s a long-term investment in people, community and the culture of care that defines the institution.
