UF health science programs climb in annual rankings

The University of Florida College of Medicine has achieved its highest-ever position in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of the nation’s top research medical schools. Four other programs under the aegis of University of Florida Health jumped in annual rankings of the nation’s best graduate schools as well.

 The UF College of Medicine rose in rank to No. 40, up from No. 43 in 2015 among the 141 medical schools in the country and to No. 16 from No. 22 among medical schools at public institutions, according to the U.S. News & World Report rankings released today (March 16). This is the highest ranking ever received by the UF College of Medicine. UF also is the highest-ranking medical school in Florida. The rankings take into account National Institutes of Health research grants awarded to the medical school faculty as well as faculty-to-student ratios.

 Additionally, the rankings include assessments by leaders at peer institutions and the medical college admission test scores of incoming students, the median undergraduate grade point average and the medical school’s acceptance rate.

 “Nationally, leaders at peer institutions are taking notice of the outstanding education and research being conducted by faculty in the UF College of Medicine. Our National Institutes of Health funding continues to rise, a reflection of the important and innovative research conducted by our faculty,” said Michael L. Good, M.D., dean of the UF College of Medicine. “In addition, we have invested in our students’ education and future with the opening of the George T. Harrell Medical Education Building. This ranking reflects our efforts and high-quality momentum in both areas.”

 The UF College of Pharmacy’s doctor of pharmacy program rose in rank as well, breaking into the Top 10 in this year’s assessment. It is ranked at No. 9 nationally and first in Florida, up from No. 14 in its last national ranking.

 “In recent years, we have made aggressive moves to advance the quality of our Doctor of Pharmacy education program and raise the impact of research done by our faculty,” said Julie Johnson, Pharm.D., dean and a distinguished professor of pharmacy and medicine at the UF College of Pharmacy. “These moves have included substantial revisions to our curriculum and the addition of more than 20 new faculty members. The U.S. News & World Report rankings reflect that the excellence of our program is recognized nationally.”

 Programs within the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions also were recognized. U.S. News & World Report ranks health programs like these periodically, and these assessments were conducted for 2016.

 The College of Public Health and Health Professions’ doctorate degree program in clinical psychology rose from No. 37 to No. 31 and the master’s and doctorate degree program in physical therapy rose to No. 10 from No. 12.

 In addition, the UF College of Nursing’s doctor of nursing practice program was ranked No. 32 nationally, in the top 23 for public universities, and was the top-ranked program in Florida. This was the first year U.S. News & World Report ranked doctor of nursing practice programs.

 Rankings of the health programs were determined by assessment surveys sent to deans, administrators and other faculty members at accredited degree programs or schools in each discipline. The College of Nursing was assessed based on criteria similar to those used in the College of Medicine’s assessment.

 The rankings of the health programs, nursing and medical schools were in part determined by statistical surveys sent to administrators at nearly 1,900 graduate programs and reputation surveys sent to more than 13,700 academics and professionals.

 “Our rankings this year reflect the breadth and depth of quality in our research and educational programs and the faculty and students within them,” said David S. Guzick, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of UF Health. “We are pleased that this year’s report reflects our work to consistently strengthen the quality of our education, which in turn reflects high-quality care for the patients we serve.”

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