Chicago City Wire

Kellye Walters-Warren, MS, transitioned from retail to a career in clinical nutrition after completing her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) at Rush University in 2020. Walters-Warren credits the program for providing the support needed to achieve her goals. "If there is something that people want to do, they have the support from the BSHS program to get them where they want to go and be successful," she said.

Walters-Warren now serves as a project coordinator for undergraduate programs at the College of Health Sciences (CHS), advising students to remain open to new possibilities.

Mary Jo Guglielmo, MPH, assistant dean and director of undergraduate studies at CHS, noted that most BSHS graduates pursue further education. "From the program’s inception in 2013 through 2019, 89% of graduates pursued further education and 11% worked in health care with the intention of future education," she stated. Of those continuing their education, 90% were accepted into master's or doctorate programs.

Miguel Woodham, MD, another BSHS graduate, recently completed medical school with distinction in research. He attributes his success partly to the rigorous courses offered by the BSHS program. "Academically speaking, it offered rigorous, clinically relevant courses...that really helped build a strong knowledge foundation," Woodham explained.

The BS in Imaging Sciences (IS) program at Rush has also seen high success rates with a 91% average completion rate over seven years and a 98% job placement rate. Shaunice Davis advanced her radiology career through this program and now works as an MRI technologist. "The IS program prepared me with the skills to be technical and the compassion to help ease patients’ minds when undergoing MRI procedures," Davis said.

The vascular ultrasound program at Rush similarly boasts impressive outcomes with nearly a 95% job placement rate since 2014. Guglielmo emphasized that many graduates secure positions nationwide before graduation.

Support from faculty and staff is highlighted as a key factor in student success across these programs. Guglielmo remarked on CHS's commitment: "At CHS, accountability means providing undergraduate programs that allow students from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to reach their goals."