Rush University System and Endeavor Health to merge, creating largest health system in Chicago

Rush University System for Health and Endeavor Health announced plans on October 14, 2026 to merge, creating the largest health system in Chicago. The unified organization will operate under the Rush name, controlling 12 hospitals and 400 care sites while employing over 46,000 workers. Endeavor Health CEO J.P. Gallagher will lead the combined entity, supported by a $1 billion investment commitment. The deal is expected to close in early 2027 subject to regulatory review.

Merger timeline and announcement

• ▪Rush University System for Health and Endeavor Health announced plans on October 14, 2026 to merge into a single integrated academic health system.
• ▪Rush University System for Health and Endeavor Health expect to finalize their proposed merger in early 2027, subject to regulatory review.

Scale of the combined system

• ▪The combined health system created by Rush University System for Health and Endeavor Health will control 12 hospitals and more than 400 outpatient care sites.
• ▪The unified organization of Rush University System for Health and Endeavor Health will employ more than 46,000 workers serving over two million annual patients in Illinois and Indiana.

Planned $1 billion merger investment

• ▪Endeavor Health will fund a $1 billion investment into community care, research, academics, and quality innovations across the Chicagoland region as part of the merger.
• ▪A significant portion of the $1 billion investment from Endeavor Health will fund community partnerships addressing social determinants of health and healthcare infrastructure for underserved patients.

Governance and leadership of merged system

• ▪Endeavor Health president and chief executive officer J.P. Gallagher will serve as president and chief executive officer of the merged health system upon completion of the transaction.
• ▪The combined health system will be governed by a 20-person board split equally between Rush University System for Health and Endeavor Health representatives, led by a Rush chair.
• ▪Rush University System for Health chief executive officer Dr. Omar Lateef will remain in his post through closing, then transition to chief executive officer emeritus and strategic advisor.
• ▪The combined organization resulting from the merger will operate under the Rush name due to the institution's national academic reputation.

Fitch Ratings evaluations of Rush

• ▪Fitch Ratings evaluated Rush University System for Health as having a comparatively weaker market position relative to academic peers due to robust competition in Chicago.
• ▪Fitch Ratings reaffirmed the bond rating of Rush University System for Health in late 2025.