KU medical school among nation’s best in latest U.S. News & World Report rankings
KU School of Medicine ranked 5th among all public medical schools in the country in the percentage of physicians practicing in rural areas and 9th among public institutions in producing primary care physicians.
The University of Kansas School of Medicine is among the best in the nation in producing well-trained physicians in areas where the need is greatest, according to rankings by U.S. News & World Report released today.
With campuses in Kansas City, Salina and Wichita, KU School of Medicine ranked 5th among all public medical schools in the country in the percentage of graduates practicing in rural areas, and 9th among public institutions in the percentage of graduates practicing in primary care.
Among all medical schools (both public and private), KU School of Medicine was No. 11 in producing graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 22 in graduates practicing in primary care.
Physician shortages in rural areas are a dire problem in Kansas and nationally. Shortages of primary care physicians are another serious issue in the state and across the country, with the demand for primary care physicians expected to grow as doctors retire and the aging population requires more care.
“Training first-rate primary physicians for the state of Kansas and especially in rural areas and other parts of the state that have shortages of doctors is a crucial part of our mission,” said Akinlolu Ojo, M.D., executive dean of KU School of Medicine. “These rankings recognize our tremendous effort to answer the call to create a more equitable and healthier environment for all Kansans.”
The school also ranked 11th among public schools, and 16th for all schools, in the percentage of graduates who practice medicine in areas with a shortage of health care professionals.
Additionally, KU School of Medicine placed in the top 50 among public schools of medicine in the two main areas ranked — primary care (education) and research. The school ranked 14th in the country in primary care for both public and private schools combined.
“Offering excellent programs for our students is a critical part of our mission,” said Robert D. Simari, M.D., executive vice chancellor of the University of Kansas Medical Center. “The dedication and quality of our faculty and staff have been moving our institution forward, and we expect that trend to continue.”
In April, U.S. News and World Report released its Best Graduate School rankings, and the health care management and public health programs at KU School of Medicine both placed in the top 50 for public institutions. Read more about rankings for those programs and others at KU Medical Center as well as rankings for the University of Kansas.