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From the Archives: Rush Security, 1987

May 8, 2012 by Rush University Medical Center

A Rush security officer poses proudly in his new vehicle, 1987.

This photo was taken in front of the Triangle Office Building, which was the newest building on the Rush University Medical Center campus at the time. The TOB is located at 1700 W. Van Buren St. This image was used in Rush’s main newsletter, NewsRounds, in May 1987 to advertise Rush’s security escort services.

Nathalie Wheaton is assistant archivist in the Rush Archives. To learn more, please contact rush_archives@rush.edu. Visit the Rush Archives Web page or explore our collections.The Rush Archives welcomes visitors from Rush and the general public. 

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Patient Takes Heart in Supporting Rush

April 23, 2012 by Rush University Medical Center

By Tami McQuown

My first personal encounter with Rush University Medical Center was about 11 years ago. I was having chest pains, my heart was fluttering strangely, and though I had been diagnosed with mitral valve in college, I assumed it was only panic attacks. After several of these occasions, I was referred to cardiology at Rush and was given an immediate appointment.

Following blood and stress tests and a series of other diagnostic procedures, I was told by a cardiology intern that while my current condition was stress-related, there was a bigger issue: sometime in the past I had suffered a mild heart attack or cardiac event that had, in fact, caused damage to my heart. I was so unprepared for the news that I really didn’t know what questions to ask. I felt very confused, unsure about what to do and what my condition would mean. My father had died at 39 of a heart attack, and upon learning that I, too, had sustained damage to my heart, I was suddenly terribly scared and alone.

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From the Archives: Daniel A. Jones Building, 1917

April 17, 2012 by Rush University Medical Center

By Nathalie Wheaton

This postcard from 1917 shows Rush’s Daniel A. Jones Building in all its glory. Built in 1888 at the corner of Congress Parkway and Wood Street, the Jones Building held Presbyterian Hospital’s public patient wards at the time. Presbyterian Hospital is a predecessor hospital of today’s Rush University Medical Center.

This is a rare view as it shows a building across the street (far left side of postcard), where the Eisenhower Expressway and CTA’s Blue Line are today. The building on the far right side is the Rush Medical College Clinical Building, which was razed for the Rawson Laboratory Building. Rawson opened in 1924.

Nathalie Wheaton is an archivist with Rush University Medical Center. You can contact the Rush Archives at rush_archives@rush.edu or at (312) 942-7214.

Posted in Rush Archives, Rush University | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments »

Q&A With Cardiac Surgeon Jai Raman, MD

April 13, 2012 by Rush University Medical Center

Jai Raman, MD, of Rush University Medical Center in ChicagoJaishankar Raman, MD, PhD, joined Rush University Medical Center last fall as the new surgical director of heart transplant and chief of the Section of Cardiac Surgery in the Department of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery. Raman — who attended medical school in his native India and received surgi­cal training and his PhD in Australia — came to Rush after nine years at the University of Chicago Medical Center. He spoke recently to Rush writer Kevin McKeough.

Why did you decide to specialize in heart surgery?

When I finished medical school, I thought I wanted to be a plastic surgeon. Early on I got a chance to do a lot of micro­surgery, but I found it to be very boring and very repetitive. Then, while I was exploring jobs in Sydney, Australia, and I observed cardiac surgery — a beating heart that was being operated on. I’d never seen it before, and it was very compelling. It was love at first sight.

Why did you decide to come to Rush?

Rush is providing the opportunity to build a clinical program that could have a lasting legacy. One of the fortunate byproducts of my stay at U of C was that I was able to develop expertise in minimally invasive surgery, the largest amount of expe­rience of anyone in the region. One reason to come here was to try to expand that whole area and to help make Rush a regional center for minimally invasive surgery.

What kinds of procedures does cardiac surgery encompass?

It includes all the surgery on the heart — bypasses, valve replacements, valve repairs and transplants. The heart is a muscular pump with valves in it that has a blood supply. It has big blood vessels coming in and out of it, and it’s got an electrical sys­tem. If there are problems with the vessels that come in and out of it, we fix those. If we have to work on aortic aneurysms, we do that. If the valves are abnormal or leaking, we repair them. If there are abnormalities of the rhythm, we treat them. If there are problems with the rib cage, we do things to get the bone to heal better. If the pump is not working, we use a ventricular assist device, which is like an artificial heart, and failing that, we may perform a transplant.

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Innovative Treatment for the Overactive Bladder

April 6, 2012 by Rush University Medical Center

By Lev Elterman, MD

I specialize in treatment of problems with urinary control in both men and women. I would like to tell you about an innovative and remarkable treatment option for people with overactive bladder and urinary retention, called Interstim.

In my practice, I often see patients who have been suffering from symptoms of overactive bladder – frequency, urgency and urge incontinence. It is a very common problem. In fact, there are over 33 million people in the United States who have these symptoms. For many, it is an embarrassing condition that limits their ability to enjoy life, go to the movies, attend classes or even go to work. Some have to take daily medications, such as Detrol, Vesicare, Sanctura or Enablex. Although effective for some, these medications may cause constipation, dry mouth and blurred vision. Others are not helped by any of the pills.

This is the point where sacral nerve stimulation technique becomes extremely valuable. Interstim is a stimulator, similar to a cardiac pacemaker that interrupts irritating signals from the bladder and calms down the overactivity. In my experience, the technique has been exceptionally effective in curbing the symptoms and improving the quality of life.

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Basil, Cilantro, Oregano and Dill

April 4, 2012 by Rush University Medical Center

By Mary Gregoire

Basil, cilantro, oregano and dill. Somehow putting the names of those herbs together does not have the same recognition as Simon and Garfunkel’s “parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,” but all are wonderful culinary herbs that can be used to enhance our cooking. They provide a way to flavor foods without the addition of salt.

As the spring bulbs and flowering trees are blooming, I also watch my herbs spring to life in my herb garden and think about what new herb I will plant in it this year.

Herbs can be planted in the ground or grown in pots of varying sizes. They need good drainage and regular watering. Some such as chives, lemongrass, marjoram, mint, oregano and parsley are perennials and return each year. Others, such as basil, dill and savory, termed annuals, need to be planted each year. You can start herbs from seeds or buy them as already-started plants in pots from your local greenhouse.

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I Thought It Could Be Anything But Colorectal Cancer

March 30, 2012 by Rush University Medical Center

By Wendy Dewey

As children, we hear a lot about the dangers of smoking and being exposed to second-hand smoking being risk factors for lung cancer. As maturing girls, we are taught to do self breast exams to be aware of any lumps for possible breast cancer. As female adults, we are told to make sure to get yearly Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer. We are all often reminded to wear sunscreen to help prevent skin cancer. Colorectal cancer … we are told to get screened starting at age 50.

So when I started having symptoms for this disease at age 36, the possibility that it may be colorectal cancer, at first, was at the bottom of my list. There is no known history in my family of colorectal cancer.

Most people would rather not talk about their bowel habits, but I think I need to, so if there is anyone else out there who is having these symptoms, take action immediately. In December 2009, John and I had taken a road trip down to visit my family in Florida. While I was there, I noticed that I had become constipated. I associated this with being in a car for long periods of time and not eating well while traveling. This persisted on and off even after we came back from Florida.

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Posted in Cancer, Nursing, Patient Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 23 Comments »

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