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Rush and Endeavor Health Announce Plans to Merge Hospital Systems

Rush University’s health system and Endeavor Health announced plans to merge Wednesday. 

The combined health systems would operate under the Rush name, according to a news release. The merger is expected to be completed in early 2027, pending regulatory review and approval, according to the hospitals. 

Rush’s health system includes three Chicago-area hospitals: Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora and Rush Oak Park Hospital. 

Endeavor Health’s system, the third-largest in Illinois, oversees nine Chicago-area hospitals: Swedish Hospital in Chicago, Edward Hospital in Naperville, Elmhurst Hospital, Evanston Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, Highland Park Hospital, Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Skokie Hospital and Linden Oaks Behavioral Health Hospital in Naperville.

The unified system would have more than 46,000 employees and serve more than 2 million patients annually across northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana, according to a news release.

“Together, Rush and Endeavor Health have an opportunity to create a stronger, more connected health system that sets a new standard for how care is delivered and experienced across our communities,” President and CEO of Endeavor Health Gerald “J.P.” Gallagher said in a statement.

Swedish Hospital, located at 5140 N. California Ave., Chicago. (Endeavor Health)

The hospitals also announced $1 billion that will go toward community impact, academics and research, and quality and care innovation in communities across the region, according to a news release. 

A “significant” portion of the investment, funded by Endeavor Health, will be dedicated to community partnerships addressing social determinants of health and creating a sustainable infrastructure to support underserved people, according to the announcement. 

“As a unified system, we will expand upon the work Rush has done on the West Side of Chicago to strengthen our impact in communities across the region to ensure more patients benefit from the expertise, innovation and compassion that define us,” Rush President and CEO Dr. Omar Lateef said in a statement.

Upon completion of a merger, Gallagher would be named president and CEO of the entire health system, according to a news release. Lateef would serve as CEO emeritus and be a strategic advisor to the CEO.

A 20-person board will also be appointed, with equal representation from Rush and Endeavor Health board members. The board will be led by a chair from the Rush system.

In a statement, National Nurses Organizing Committee board member and Chicago registered nurse Brenda Langford said hospital consolidation affects patients and communities, and called on state and federal regulators to block any merger that doesn’t guarantee all services are protected.

“Hospital mergers are big corporate transactions that result in higher prices, service cuts, and other moves to maximize profits,” Langford said in a statement. “The proposed merger of Rush and Endeavor is no different."

The union represents 2,000 nurses at Rush University Medical Center. Last week, 1,200 nurses at Endeavor Health’s Edward Hospital petitioned to hold a union election, according to the union.

Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]

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