Among the nation’s most Woke.
Among the nation’s most Woke.
Woke Policies where it’s not needed, and you don’t want it.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI)
Transgender Ideology
Climate Activism
Questionable Spending
- RUSH operates an active Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program which supports DEI throughout the medical system. The webpage states: “Our culture of respect and accountability reflects a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in everything we do.”
- RUSH’s board of trustees approved a $4 million DEI investment in 2019 and later formed a Racial Justice Action Committee to “respond to the murder of George Floyd” and “identify new ways to advance social and racial justice.”
- Rush CEO Omar Lateef, highlighted his commitment to DEI, stating: “…our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is a critical part of our DNA…. To achieve this, we continually work to develop a diverse workforce, an equitable and accessible workplace and an inclusive environment where all employees feel they belong.”
- On its DEI webpage, RUSH has a DEI and racial justice and equity commitment, which includes members of the RUSH Diversity Leadership Council, the Racial Justice Action Committee steering committee and the RUSH BMO Institute for Health Equity creating a commitment statement, “which will serve as our north star and guiding principles.”
- The DEI program also includes a Diversity Leadership Council overseeing initiatives addressing “leadership and accountability, hiring, retention, promotion, training and communication.”
- In 2025, Ildemaro González was named Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the hospital. In an official release the hospital stated that González “will lead the planning and implementation of systemwide DEI strategies in collaboration with RUSH’s Diversity Leadership Council, RUSH University Chief Diversity Officer Princess Currence, DSW, and other leaders across RUSH,” and work closely with Human Resources and business leaders to integrate DEI principles into workplace culture, workforce development, marketplace engagement and community outreach.”
- In 2023, RUSH’s VP of Community Health Equity was named Notable Leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by Crain’s Chicago Business.
- In 2021, RUSH managers were required to complete the cultural competency and implicit bias training program as part of their required “Linking Education and Performance (LEAP)” training.
- RUSH University Children’s Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics implemented a DEI curriculum. The curriculum includes “Department-wide DEI retreats” focusing on anti-racism education, systemic racism, restorative justice, and “creating affirming, inclusive and accountable spaces.” Topics range from “Achieving Health Equity for LGBTQ People,” “Gender-Based Discrimination,” and “Microaggression Workshops.”
- In 2025, RUSH provided pro-LGBTQ+ indoctrination training to more than 4,000 staff and students across the health system. This training included guidance on transgender care for patients. RUSH’s long term goal is to make this training available to all employees.
- RUSH operates the “Center for Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Health,” known as “Affirm” and continues to provide some transgender services to kids in its clinic. The hospital stated: “RUSH continues to provide mental health, behavioral health and social services to gender care patients, regardless of age.”
- Loren S. Schechter, MD serves as a board member and president elect for transgender activist organization WPATH and is a founding member of the American Society of Gender Surgeons.
- RUSH has a long history of supporting and participation in pride parades, including participation in the 2025 and 2026 pride parades in Illinois. In a recent Instagram post, the medical center said: 🌈 As Pride Month comes to a close, we continue to march forward, leading with love every step of the way. At RUSH, we celebrate the vibrant diversity and unwavering resilience of our LGBTQ+ community, not just in June, but all year long.
- RUSH’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee planned a “PRIDE Charity Drag Brunch” with the proceeds going to benefit RUSH’s transgender clinic, “Affirm.”
- RUSH has proudly committed to environmental sustainability and says “that climate change is fundamentally a human health issue.” RUSH has also committed to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030.
- RUSH is a part of the “Good Food Purchasing Program” which prioritizes “suppliers who have experienced negative systemic social and/or economic impacts such as people of color, across all supply chains and to the greatest extent possible.”
- Climate activist group Practice Greenhealth awarded RUSH as a top 25 hospital in the country for its leadership in environmental sustainability in 2026. RUSH also “received the three Circles of Excellence Award for being among the top 10 hospitals in the categories of climate, sustainable procurement and transportation categories.”
- Ian Hughes, director of environmental sustainability at Rush, claims that “Environmental sustainability is preventive medicine.”
- RUSH has received numerous awards for climate activism, including the 2025 Sustainability in Healthcare Management Education & Practice Award, which included the implementation of the Planetary Health Report Card which aims to compare health professional schools in curriculum, research in health and environment, community outreach in relation to climate impacts, and campus sustainability.
- RUSH was recognized at the United Nation’s COP27 climate conference in 2022 for committing to extreme climate goals including: “reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” and “pledging ongoing action to decarbonize the health care sector and make health care facilities more resilient to the effects of climate change.”
- In 2023, RUSH partnered with professional baseball team Chicago White Sox as an “official health care partner.” Through this partnership, RUSH has paid at least $30,000 for “sponsorship” and has been the official sponsor of multiple games.
- According to a report from nonprofit Save Our States, in 2024, RUSH laid off employees due to financial pressures, though it declined to say how many workers were affected. This happened while the system paid huge compensation packages to RUSH executives.
- In FY2024, RUMC President and CEO Omar Lateef received nearly $3.7 million in compensation, according to tax filings, which is an increase from $2.9 million in FY2023. RUSH also paid CEO Omar Lateef a personal housing allowance and membership dues for elite clubs like the Economic Club of Chicago, Commercial Club, Chicago United and the Chicago Club.
- Save Our States also highlights that RUSH spent more than $194 million in federal dollars in FY2025.