No. 6 in primary care, No. 9 in rural medicine
UNMC is ranked in the top 10 in two areas in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of the nation’s top graduate schools.
UNMC remains the sixth-ranked primary care medical program in the United States, tied with the University of Minnesota. In addition, UNMC tied for ninth in the list of top rural medicine programs.
“The recognition of UNMC in the fields of primary care and rural medicine is gratifying,” said Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., UNMC chancellor. “These are areas of vital importance to the people of Nebraska, and it is a testament to the physicians, researchers and staff members at UNMC that their efforts have been acknowledged as among the nation’s finest.”
U.S. News surveyed 153 institutions during 2013-2014 in compiling the rankings, which were released Tuesday. Schools surveyed included medical schools accredited in 2013 by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and schools of osteopathic medicine accredited in 2013 by the American Osteopathic Association.
“Education is a vital part of UNMC’s overall mission,” said Dele Davies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs. “This recognition of our educational programs underscores the excellent skills and abilities of our faculty and students. Our outstanding rankings in primary care and rural medicine reflect the priority the university has placed on expanding access to health care in Nebraska’s rural communities and creating a national model for other regions seeking to do the same.”
According to the U.S. News website, rankings are based on two types of data – expert opinions about program excellence and statistical indicators.
Primary care rankings included indicators such as the student admissions statistics (scores on the Medical College Admission Test, grade point averages and acceptance rates), the proportion of graduates entering primary care specialties, peer assessment, assessment by residency directors and other factors.
Rural medicine rankings, like other specialties, were established through ratings by medical school deans or senior faculty, who identified up to 10 schools offering the top programs in each specialty.
UNMC remained at No. 64 for research in the new rankings. Although new rankings aren't available in all categories for 2015, UNMC continues to be rated in four other programs:
- 16th in physician assistant programs (last ranked in 2011);
- 32nd in pharmacy programs (last ranked in 2012);
- 34th in physical therapy programs (last ranked in 2012); and
- 36th in nursing master’s programs (last ranked in 2011).