Knox-Rush Medical School Program Doesn't Skip a Beat

Dr. Jim Klein, Knox College/Rush class of 1975-76, says he was given a gift when he attended Knox for one year as part of the inaugural Knox College/Rush Medical School program. "It was a tremendous opportunity, and it left quite an impression on me."

He was fresh out of college with an undergraduate degree in Biology. "They wanted to put medical students in small rural towns, and we were sent to Knox for this new program." Klein and the other 15 Rush students at Knox that year, went on to finish medical school at Rush Medical School in Chicago.

His first memory of living on the Knox campus is relaxing in his dorm room and getting a knock at the door to join the pumphandle ceremonies. "I was deeply impressed with the comradery of this ceremony where we shake hands with everyone. It was an event that validated that I was here, and that I had arrived."

The dynamics of the Knox-Rush program have changed, but the program still draws high school graduates to Knox.

"This program was definitely a factor in my decision to come to Knox," Sarah Kurian '10 says. Kurian is one of four Knox students admitted to the Knox-Rush program in 2008.

Likewise, Krystle Susmani ‘10 recognized the strength of the program at Knox. "I knew the science program was very strong which helped make my decision, but I also wanted a school where I could be myself and achieve my dreams. I chose Knox College primarily because of the atmosphere and the sense of community."

Klein who manages the Emergency Room at Galesburg’s Cottage Hospital, agrees and says the big gift comes from having experienced the Knox College culture.

"It was absolutely life-changing," he said. "Imagine being a 20 year-old from Chicago and coming to Cottage Hospital with a stethoscope and seeing patients on day one."

Selene Tello '10, a Knox Davee Scholar, says that she wanted to go to medical school when she was in grade school. "Of course, we all think we want to go to medical school when we are in the second grade, but then my brother was born with special needs, and I decided that I was going to go to medical school to find a cure for him." She has become interested in research at Knox because of the opportunities it affords.

Those opportunities have been a part of the program from its inception. Klein says the inaugural class accomplished a lot academically and personally and was better prepared for medical school. "It was such an intense adventure. We were nurtured; we were encouraged. We were at times cajoled. We were given clinical experiences that students at our level of training very rarely would have been able to see much less participate. It was about opening your eyes to an adventure that teaches you."

Working in the E.R., Klein says that they never know what comes through the door. "We are prepared for minor emergencies and inconveniences but we are also prepared for major trauma. I think often about how I have been empowered to practice this career, and I hope I can do it for a long time." Klein not only manages the E.R. at Cottage Hospital, but also practices family medicine.

His other passion is music. He says that he makes time to play the piano daily. However, the initial program in 1975 was so intense; he says he didn’t have time for music.

Today’s Knox-Rush program allows the student to explore other studies that they may not otherwise have the time. In addition to her biochemistry major, Kurian is pursuing a minor in vocal performance. Likewise, Susmani is majoring in Spanish while minoring in chemistry and biology.

"I was just happy to sneak into the practice hall and sit down and play the piano. That was enough while I was at Knox," Klein says.