Meet Our RUSH Researchers
At RUSH University, we connect and support a community of researchers who are helping to reimagine the future of health care. Here are just a few of the researchers innovating at RUSH.
Esprit de Corps: Former French Language Student Explores Ways to Support Underserved Communities
Speech-language pathologist and researcher Anne Hoffmann, PhD, takes creative approaches to reaching children on the West Side of Chicago who need language support.
Pioneering Respiratory Therapist Tirelessly Propels COVID-19 Research
One of China’s first respiratory therapists, Jie Li, PhD, RRT has been a leading contributor to the research on respiratory care protocols for coronavirus patients.
From Coal Mines to COVID
Brady Scott, PhD, RRT, received the Charles H. Hudson Award from the American Respiratory Care Foundation for his leadership in applying the proning technique to address the most lethal COVID-19 symptom.
COVID-19 Magnifies the Value of Research on Dementia Care
Olimpia Paun, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, aims to ease the emotional burden for caregivers who place aging loved ones in nursing homes – an anguish that has intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Mindful Approach to MIND Diet Research
Puja Agarwal, PhD, uses population studies to explore how specific foods may play a role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Researcher Has Mind Set on Advancing Education
Amanda Persons, PhD, applies research insights to teaching students to treat substance abuse.
A Breath of Fresh Air in Lung Cancer Research
Chien-Ching Li studies how minorities in the United States understand their health and health challenges, and how well they are able to find, understand, use and afford health care services. Part of Li’s work focuses on older Chinese American smokers.
Meeting Autism in the middle
Lauren Little, PhD, OTR/L, develops occupational therapy programs to help autistic children while considering the circumstances of their families.
Ignore the Role of Fat in Health? VAT Chance
Like many of us, Sandra Gomez-Perez, PhD, RD, LDN, is concerned about body fat, especially fat around the abdominal area. For Gomez-Perez, though, the issue isn’t about personal appearance. It’s an important component of disease prevention.
Making Research a Part of Spiritual Care
George Fitchett, DMin, PhD, professor and director of research in the Department of Religion, Health and Human Values at RUSH University’s College of Health Sciences, is a pioneer in the effort to use research to assess the effectiveness of spiritual care in hospitals and other health care settings.