Rush University and Endeavor Health announce planned merger

In a major shakeup to the medical world of Chicago, two hospital giants, Rush University Medical Center and Endeavor Health, have announced plans to merge operations in a move that sends shockwaves through the city’s healthcare landscape.

In a press release from the hospitals, Rush University System for Health and Endeavor Health disclosed the deal, creating a major nonprofit health system that would combine 12 hospitals, more than 400 care sites and a workforce of more than 46,000 employees and clinicians across Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana.

The proposed merger is expected to be completed in early 2027, pending regulatory review and approval. The combined organization would operate under the Rush name, bringing together Rush’s academic medical and research capabilities with Endeavor Health’s extensive network of hospitals and outpatient facilities.

Under the agreement, Endeavor Health will fund an additional $1 billion investment to support medical research, education, health care innovation and community health initiatives. A significant portion of the funding is expected to support community partnerships and efforts to address health disparities and improve access to care for underserved populations.

“This is an opportunity to create a stronger, more connected health system,” the organizations said in their joint statement, emphasizing their goal of expanding access to high-quality care throughout the region.

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Rush University System for Health includes Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora. The system also includes Rush University, which educates future health care professionals and supports medical research.

Endeavor Health operates nine hospitals across the Chicago area, including Evanston Hospital, Edward Hospital in Naperville, Elmhurst Hospital, Swedish Hospital in Chicago, Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, Highland Park Hospital, Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Skokie Hospital and Linden Oaks Behavioral Health Hospital in Naperville.

Together, the organizations serve more than two million patients annually.

The hope is that the combined system could make health services, clinical trials and advanced treatments available to more patients across the region. Rush’s academic programs and research infrastructure could complement Endeavor’s broad geographic reach, potentially improving coordination between community hospitals and specialized medical centers.

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Under the proposed leadership structure, Endeavor Health President and CEO Gerald “J.P.” Gallagher would become president and CEO of the combined organization once the merger closes.

According to Healthcare Finance News, Rush President and CEO Dr. Omar Lateef would remain in his current position through the closing of the transaction before transitioning to CEO emeritus and strategic adviser to the CEO.

The combined system would be governed by a 20-member board, with equal representation from Rush and Endeavor Health. The board would be led by a chair from the Rush system. Although the organization would carry the Rush name, the proposed governance structure would give both health systems equal representation on the board.

The organizations have said patients should continue receiving care from their existing physicians at their current locations, without immediate changes to insurance coverage as a result of the announcement. They have also described improved access and a more connected patient experience as longer-term goals.

Per NBC News, the proposed merger must undergo regulatory review and receive the necessary approvals before it can be completed. The Illinois Department of Public Health has indicated that the announcement does not itself constitute final approval of the transaction.

For patients, the immediate expectation is continuity of care while the transaction moves through the approval process. The longer-term impact will depend on how the organizations integrate their operations, allocate the planned investment and deliver on their commitments to affordability, access, research and community health.