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Continuing a Legacy of Discovery

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Rosalind Franklin University (RFU) is named for a pioneer in scientific research. Today, we’re carrying her legacy forward by sustaining an innovative, collaborative environment for advanced healthcare education and research.

In 1952, British scientist and researcher Dr. Rosalind Franklin altered humankind’s understanding of biology. Her work in X-ray diffraction during the preceding years helped her capture “Photograph 51” of the “B” form of DNA while at King’s College in London. This discovery directly led to the development of the double-helix model of DNA that same year.

The faculty, staff and 2,000-plus students at RFU carry on Dr. Franklin’s legacy of discovery every single day. We do that through a combination of:

RFU provides a place where students, faculty, practitioners, researchers and entrepreneurs converge around a common goal: improve the quality and delivery of health and wellness for all. And we offer a wealth of student support services to ensure we cultivate an inclusive campus.

By embodying our namesake’s traits of inquiry, diligence and academic excellence, we’re continuing to shape the future of health care. Come to RFU and be a part of it!

Six Unique Schools, One Great Campus

Our beautiful 97-acre campus is located in North Chicago, Illinois, approximately 35 miles north of downtown Chicago. We offer graduate-level health degrees through our six specialized schools:

RFU by the Numbers

Enrollment for 2021-2022

778 Chicago Medical School
674 College of Health Professions
218 College of Pharmacy
356 Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine
25 School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
2,051 RFU Total Enrollment

Degrees Conferred in 2021

205 Master of Science
173 Doctor of Medicine
82 Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
55 Doctor of Physical Therapy
13 Doctor of Philosophy
57 Doctor of Pharmacy
36 Doctor of Nursing Practice: Nurse Anesthesia

Faculty & Staff

166 Full-time faculty
172 Part-time faculty
511 Administration and staff

Data as of November 2020

Alumni

8,529 Chicago Medical School (est. 1912)
6,519 College of Health Professions (est. 1970)
421 College of Pharmacy (est. 2011)
5,412 Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine (est. 1912)
733 School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (est. 1968)

Scholarships

During the 2020-21 academic year, a total of $9.5 million in gift assistance (internal and external scholarships and tuition waivers) was awarded to 1,041 students.

The RFU Difference

  • Academic Seal of Quality: 100% of all clinical programs and the university have been granted the maximum years of accreditation possible.
  • 92% of all students report that they would re-enroll at RFU if they had to do it all over again and 98% of employees feel RFU is a good place to work.
  • Ground-breaking Research in 12 major areas is being conducted by RFU scientists. As a university we are leading and shaping the future of health care, not just "keeping up."
  • 180+ telehealth visits for ICC patients since April 2020. When COVID-19 concerns prevented in-person visits to RFU’s Interprofessional Community Clinic for the uninsured, the ICC’s student leaders and faculty clinicians quickly shifted to telehealth appointments for primary care, behavioral health and physical therapy patients.
  • 6 Simulation Labs on RFU's campus create a virtual health system. Interprofessional teams of RFU students practice more than 35,000 hours of simulation each year, improving their procedural, problem-solving, safety and communication skills before they work with human patients.
  • 90+ Student Clubs and Organizations are registered through our campus life office. Getting involved offers opportunities to have fun, get exercise, give back to the community, get hands-on practice, gain leadership experience and build your professional network.
  • 43 U.S. Patents Held. 28 U.S. Patents issued in the past 7 years - an additional 16 patents pending. Our discovery work is nationally and internationally recognized in several critical areas, from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases to genetic diseases, cancer, behavioral disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Service Learning is part of an RFU education. RFU students have many opportunities to learn beyond the classroom while helping others, giving them practical experience serving community members as part of an interprofessional team.

Mission

To serve humanity through the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals, and the discovery of knowledge dedicated to improving wellness.

Vision

To be the premier interprofessional health sciences university.

Core Values

Collaboration, Excellence, Innovation, Integrity, Justice, Respect and Scholarship.

  • Collaboration: We actively engage in interprofessional and respectful teamwork toward shared goals.
  • Excellence: We continuously embody and elevate world-class scientific research, education, and clinical care.
  • Innovation: We cultivate discovery and adapt our thinking to solve emerging problems and critical issues.
  • Integrity: We act with courage, honor and accountability demonstrating the highest ethical and moral standards.
  • Justice: We commit that diversity, equity, and inclusion are woven into all aspects of our work.
  • Respect: We treat those we serve and those with whom we work with the highest civility and dignity.
  • Scholarship: We cultivate an environment where the creation, dissemination, and implementation of knowledge and continuous learning are embraced by our community.
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