Its founder, Daniel Brainard, named the school in honor of Benjamin Rush,[3] the only physician with medical school training to sign the Declaration of Independence, who later taught Meriwether Lewis basic medical skills for his expedition with William Clark to the Pacific Northwest.

The early Rush faculty, well known across the American frontier for its expertise, engaged in patient care, research and teaching, and was associated with a number of scientific developments and new clinical procedures.

In the early 1940s, Rush discontinued undergraduate education, but its library was maintained and its faculty continued to teach at the University of Illinois School of Medicine.

Rush University, which now includes colleges of medicine, nursing, health sciences and research training, was established in 1972.

The program focuses on mental health treatment for veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and related illnesses.