Today, Central Michigan University School of Medicine was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Best Medical Graduate Schools for 2024. CMU School of Medicine was ranked in the following school categories:
“This accreditation is a testament to the quality of CMU's medical education program and its graduates,” said Dr. George Kicano, dean of the School of Medicine and vice chancellor for health affairs.
“It's also proof that we're staying true to our mission and achieving the results we set out to accomplish,” he said. “We opened the School of Medicine with the specific goal of increasing access to quality health care in rural and underserved areas, and we continue to explore new ways to better serve patients across Michigan.”
Central Michigan University Medicine was founded in 2010 to address a growing shortage of primary care physicians in Michigan and across the nation, a shortage that has been felt most acutely in rural and historically underserved areas. Kicano said the university's efforts have tangibly improved access to health care in the Great Lakes Bay region and increased the number of physicians.
For the third consecutive year, U.S. News has released four rankings focused on medical school characteristics and where physicians work. The rankings use data from the Robert Graham Center, a division of the American Academy of Family Physicians, to measure how medical schools address major health care issues. Of the nearly 160 medical schools ranked, CMU's School of Medicine received high marks in three areas that correlate highly with its mission: 43rd for serving rural communities, 67th for serving areas in need of medical assistance and 52nd for placing the most graduates in primary care positions.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for our college, faculty and students,” Kicano said. “We look at the numbers and know we are making a difference, but being recognized nationally is further proof that our impact is substantial. Our graduates respect our mission in their career choices, and we are so proud of their dedication to the study and practice of medicine.”
The School of Medicine receives approximately 8,000 applications each year, with 75-80% from Michigan. 60-75% of graduates consistently choose primary care practice, and nearly half of each class continues their residency training in the state. The School of Medicine promotes access to and delivery of health care for all in our local community and across the nation.
