U.S. News & World Report has ranked the UNMC College of Medicine among the nation’s top 10 best primary care programs.
In its 2022 Best Graduate Schools rankings released Tuesday, the college’s primary care program is sixth out of 123 institutions, up from 12th last year. Primary care is considered family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics or internal medicine pediatrics.
UNMC also ranked high among newly established categories in the percent of 2012-2014 graduates practicing direct patient care in rural areas — 17.34% with a ranking of fifth in the country out of 159 schools. In addition, UNMC ranked 26 of 159 schools in the percentage of 2012-2014 graduates practicing in primary care specialties 36.1%.
Other UNMC programs also received high rankings in the 2022 report:
- College of Nursing doctor of nursing practice — tied for 40th of 163 schools, an increase from last year’s ranking of 53rd;
- UNMC research — tied for 54th of 123 schools, an increase from last year’s ranking of 62nd;
- College of Public Health — tied for 54th of 188 schools and programs, an increase from last year’s ranking of 56.
Data for the rankings came from a variety of sources including statistical surveys, reputation surveys, academic experts’ ratings and peer assessment data.
“We’re proud of the accomplishments of these and all of our programs and the faculty, staff and students who support them,” said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD. “Rankings in primary care and rural practice are especially gratifying in our efforts to increase health professionals in the state, particularly in many rural areas where access to care remains a challenge for Nebraskans. In spite of the pandemic, enrollment in our programs still grew to a historic level for the 20th straight year.”
During Match Day this month, 58 percent of UNMC students matched in primary care.
“The rankings reflect the commitment of our faculty and med center community during unprecedented times of adjustment to our teaching, learning, and research,” said UNMC Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dele Davies, MD. “The pandemic has reinforced the importance of our educational and research programs serving communities across our state and our nation. Our programs continue to be the best, driven by faculty and staff whose talent and drive are nothing less than extraordinary.”
In 2021, these programs had the following rankings (the categories were not re-ranked for this year):
- 2021: College of Pharmacy was ranked 28th in the nation.
- 2021: College of Allied Health Professions’ physical therapy program was ranked 34th.
- 2021: College of Allied Health Professions’ physician assistant program tied for 15th out of 170 programs.