The following RCSIP access programs provide care to people in underserved neighborhoods who do not have easy access to quality health care providers.
20/20 is a monthly free eye clinic held at the Community Health Clinic at2611 West Chicago Avenue on Chicago’s West Side. Every 2nd Wednesday of the month, Rush student volunteers and an ophthalmologist provide full vision exams, screenings, eye care information, and referrals to low-cost eye care centers in the community. In addition, 20/20 participates in health fairs around the community, providing screenings for visual impairments, referrals to low-cost eye care centers, and educational information on common eye diseases.
This clinic is housed in Chicago City Church at 5501 South La Salle Street on Chicago’s South Side and holds a primary care clinic one Tuesday every month from 5-7pm for low-income and displaced populations. The clinic is run by a physician and Rush student volunteers, and offers focused physical exams, health education, basic medications, referrals, and simple procedures such as wound care. Clinic volunteers also promote the use of referrals to help patients establish primary and/or specialty care relationships that are affordable or available through charity care.
This clinic is located within the Franciscan House of Mary and Joseph shelter at 2715 West Harrison Street on Chicago’s Near West Side. The shelter offers an evening meal, shower and a safe place to sleep for up to 235 men and 35 women each night. The RCSIP Clinic is a high-volume weekly clinic that sees 90 – 100 patients per clinic night, and is run by Rush student and clinician (physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant) volunteers every Tuesday evening from 7:30-11:00pm. Students triage all patients before they are seen individually by students and the clinician for focused physicals, basic medication, and referrals. Select over-the-counter and prescription medications are given free of charge.
This clinic is housed in the Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center at 1515 West Monroe Street on Chicago’s Near West Side and is a weekly clinic held on Tuesdays between 1:30-4pm that provides free primary healthcare for the men living within the facility. Rush student and clinician (physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant) volunteers provide focused physicals, basic treatments, health education, and referrals. Select over-the-counter and prescription medications are given free of charge.
This clinic is housed in the Haymarket Center, 932 West Washington on Chicago’s Near West Side and is a bi-monthly clinic held on Tuesdays between 5 -7pm that provides free primary healthcare for the men and women living within the facility. Rush student and clinician (physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant) volunteers provide focused physicals, basic treatments, health education, and referrals. Select over-the-counter and prescription medications are given free of charge.
CHC is the largest free health clinic in Illinois. CHC is located at 2611 West Chicago Avenue on Chicago’s West Side. Rush student and physician volunteers provide a weekly primary care clinic held on Wednesday evenings between 5-9pm at CHC. In this clinic, Rush student and physician volunteers provide physical exams, treatment, referrals, and health education to underserved adult patients. CHC is a fully equipped clinic with patient exam rooms, a pharmacy, lab, and an electronic medical record system, making it possible to provide comprehensive care. All services including medications and laboratory tests are free of charge.
MMV is a mobile healthcare delivery unit run by the Chicago Recovery Alliance that actively works toward harm reduction on Chicago’s West Side. MMV primarily focuses on health issues associated with drug addiction and sexually transmitted illnesses. Every Wednesday, Rush student and clinician (physician, nurse practitioner, and physician’s assistant) volunteers work with MMV van staff to offer services including basic health screenings, vital signs checks, health education, diabetic foot checks, vaccine administration, general physical exams, basic wound care, and distribution of hygiene bags.
Heart to Soles is an annual event held at the Franciscan House of Mary and Joseph Clinic by Midwest Orthopedics and the Rush Orthopedics Student Interest Group. Rush student and physician volunteers collaborate to provide foot and ankle exams and distribute free socks and shoes to individuals at the shelter.
This project is a brand new, multifaceted, interdisciplinary experience that is a joint venture between Rush University and The Chicago Lighthouse to serve the community. The work has begun, with major involvement from Rush Medical College and Rush College of Nursing with Allied Health disciplines joining in. The end goal of this initiative is the establishment of a RCSIP Wellness Center at the Lighthouse facility, about a 10 minute walk from Rush campus, with much promise for future expansion and opportunities.