UNMC programs among the best in 2010 U.S. News rankings

Rubens Pamies, M.D.

UNMC continues to be positioned among the nation’s top programs in U.S.News & World Report’s rankings of the country’s graduate schools.

The rankings, which are available 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 2010 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools. The online edition includes longer lists of some specialty rankings, as well as additional school directory information.

“Academic health centers are impacted by these tough economic times,” said Rubens Pamies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs. “They struggle to maintain programs and keep their strength while, at the same time, being cost conscious. Some have had to cut programs.

“We’ve made a strategic decision that we won’t abandon our core programs and our commitment to rural communities and primary care. These rankings affirm that our programs remain among the best in the country.”

The following UNMC programs were recognized in this year’s rankings:

• The College of Medicine’s rural health medicine program tied for 15th; and
  
• The College of Medicine tied for 17th in U.S. News’ top schools of medicine — primary care listing.

“We’ve made a strategic decision that we won’t abandon our core programs and our commitment to rural communities and primary care. These rankings affirm that our programs remain among the best in the country.” Rubens Pamies, M.D.

In addition, these UNMC programs are included in the guidebook and/or online edition, although they were not newly ranked for 2009:

• The School of Allied Health Professions’ physician assistant program tied for 14th;
  
• The College of Pharmacy ranked 29th;
  
• The College of Nursing’s master’s degree program ranked 32nd; and
  
• The School of Allied Health Professions’ physical therapy program ranked 33rd.

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.