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Rush Ophthalmology Residency Resources & Benefits Program

RUSH University Medical Center is committed to maintaining excellence in our graduate medical education programs and to creating an environment for our housestaff that is conducive to outstanding clinical experience, expert teaching and personal well-being. At Rush, we are very proud of our house officers and consider them a vital part of our health care community.

House Officer’s Stipends

  • PGY-1: $64,383
  • PGY-2: $68,611
  • PGY-3: $70,793
  • PGY-4: $74,430

Health, dental and vision insurance

You are encouraged to download an application to obtain monthly premiums, summary of benefits, and contact information for the various vendors provided for you. General benefits questions may be referred to the Rush benefits Service Center at 312-942-2222.

Voluntary right to participation in the Medical Center’s Vision Plan. Vision Service Plan: 1 (800) 877-7195. For a listing of VSP participating doctors, go to vsp.com.

Four weeks vacation, including one week for special educational leave.

Free garage parking at the Medical Center.

Reimbursement for Educational Materials. Flexible wellness allowance: stipend of $350 on a meal pay card.

Reimbursement for registration fees at educational conferences and programs via Rush’s LEAP program (up to $1000/year). For additional details on housestaff benefits, the entire 2023-2024 Rush House Officer's Agreement and the Quick Benefits Reference can be viewed on-line at rushu.rush.edu/gme.

Rush Residency Resources

Complete library resources. Rush University carries a comprehensive collection of medical journals, books, government documents and audiovisual materials. In addition, our library provides access to computerized information retrieval systems.

Computer access, including Rush e-mail and Internet linkage. The McCormick Educational Technology Center (METC) is accessible to housestaff, 24/7.

Confidential psychological and psychiatric support services are available at no charge through the Rush House staff Counseling Program. All house officers also have access to the employee assistance program provided for all rush employees.

International services

Our office of international services helps residents and fellows from foreign countries make a successful transition to Chicago. The international office assists housestaff who Hold nonimmigrant visa status. This office is the liaison with ECFMG for J-1 Exchange Visitors and for H-1B workers. For additional information, email Annie_Bretzer@rush.edu.

The Center for Clinical Wellness:

The Center for Clinical Wellness will serve as a hub for all things wellness at Rush and will be available to all current members of our community. The Center will provide a network of on-site and virtual tools as part of an overarching wellness eco-system, where existing and future programs integrate and build on one another.

The CCW is available by appointment only. You can make an appointment on the Inside Rush CCW page. If you have an urgent need or request, please call or text (312) 947-2323.

The Department of Ophthalmology has established a series of additional perks and policies that enhance the residency experience. The American Academy of Ophthalmology Basic and Clinical Science Course, a 13-volume set, is given to first-year residents. A yearly travel allowance of $1200 is provided to each resident for attendance at a national ophthalmology meeting. An additional travel allowance of $1200 per year is available to any resident presenting a paper at a national meeting, e.g. ARVO. Each year, two senior residents may attend the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting at the department’s expense. The department will also cover fees for each resident to attend the Chicago Curriculum in Ophthalmology lecture series and the meetings of the Chicago Ophthalmological Society.