A rendering of the new Rush University Medical Center's Cancer and Neurosciences Center

CHICAGO—Rush University Medical Center has commenced construction on its new $450-million Cancer and Neurosciences Center project here.

Hospital officials at a groundbreaking event on Tuesday reported that it received the largest single donation in its history. Joan and Paul Rubschlager, Chicago philanthropists and former owners of Rubschlager Baking Corporation, made an undisclosed contribution to Rush University. Both are longtime supporters and former patients of Rush. Their undisclosed gift is the lead gift to the cancer and neuroscience care facility. The Chicago Tribune reports that previously the largest single donation ever made to Rush was approximately $45 million. Joan Rubschlager serves on the Board of Trustees of Rush University.

At the groundbreaking, Rush leaders announced the new cancer facility would be named the Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building.

The building, which is to be completed in 2022, will be built on the northeast corner of Ashland Avenue and Harrison Street on Chicago's near West Side. An enclosed, fourth-floor walkway will connect it to Rush's Tower hospital building across Ashland Avenue.

“In planning the Rubschlager Building, our goal is to make the patient experience as positive and as seamless as possible,” said Dr. Omar Lateef, CEO of Rush University Medical Center. “From the moment patients enter the front doors, we want them to experience personalized attention that makes their transitions through the building comfortable and smooth.”

The building will house outpatient clinical services for cancer and neurosciences, including diagnostic imaging, radiation therapy, infusion therapy and integrative medicine. Patients will have access to new treatment options at the center through expanded clinical trials, the hospital states.

The Rubschlager Building at Rush also will offer: the latest technology, equipment for diagnostic imaging, on-site radiation oncology with an MRI linear accelerator, on-site lab draw and processing, a retail and specialty pharmacy, retail spaces and food options, 90 individual cancer infusion rooms, 82 cancer exam/treatment rooms, acupuncture and massage rooms, and a Woman's Board Cancer Center boutique.

Other hospital services features include infusion and investigational drug pharmacies, 18 neurosurgery exam rooms, 71 neurology exam and treatment rooms with specialty series of EMG, deep brain stimulation, and gait lab, 18 neurology infusion rooms, respite and lactation rooms, outdoor space for patients, visitors and staff.

In addition, the construction project will include an adjacent, six-story, 900-space parking facility for patients.

In connection with the Rubschlagers gift, Diane M. McKeever, SVP of philanthropy and chief development officer at Rush, said, “Over the past 45 years, the Rubschlagers have been loyal and generous partners, having quietly supported clinical research and other programs at Rush. We are elated that this new building will bear their names and recognize their philanthropy to Rush and other important charities in our city.”

Prior to their gift to the Rubschlager Building, the couple's support of Rush included gifts supporting bone and joint research, cancer research and mental health care for veterans.

“We believe that giving to health care and medical research is the best way to ensure a better life for everyone, and we're proud to support health care excellence at Rush,” the Rubschlagers said.

Instant Insights /

Rush University Medical Center Breaks Ground on $450M Project

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