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Rubens Pamies, M.D. |
The rankings, which are available on online and on newsstands, reflect UNMC’s longstanding hold in such program areas as primary care, rural health and physician assistant education.
The annual health disciplines rankings are reported in the magazine’s 2009 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools. The online edition includes longer lists of some specialty rankings, as well as additional school directory information.
“I’m delighted that the work of our faculty and students continue to place us among the elite programs in the United States,” said Rubens Pamies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNMC. “I’m confident with the addition of the new buildings on campus that we’ll continue to attract and retain outstanding faculty, students and staff.”
The following UNMC programs were recognized in this year’s rankings:
- The College of Medicine’s rural health medicine program tied for 11th;
- The College of Medicine ranked 20th in U.S. News’ top schools of medicine – primary care listing;
- The College of Pharmacy ranked 29th; and
- The School of Allied Health Professions’ physical therapy program ranked 33rd.
In addition, these UNMC programs are included in the guidebook, although they were not newly ranked for 2009:
- The School of Allied Health Professions’ physician assistant program tied for 14th;
- The College of Nursing’s master’s degree program ranked 32nd.
This fall, UNMC’s medical students will begin classes in the new Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Sciences Education on the northeast corner of 42nd and Emile streets. Construction will begin this year on a new College of Public Health, College of Nursing addition and geriatrics center. The research tower, which is being constructed adjacent to the Durham Research Center, is expected to open in early 2009.
The U.S. News rankings on primary care are based on two types of data: expert opinion about program quality and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students. Rankings for the health specialties – including rural medicine, nursing and physician assistant – are based solely on the ratings of academic experts.
UNMC officials encourage students to use many sources when selecting a graduate or professional program. Editors say a ranking is one of the criteria students should consider when selecting a graduate school, in addition to the student’s academic and professional ambitions, financial resources, scholastic record. A school’s size, atmosphere and location also are factors to consider.