U.S. News & World Report released its rankings of the best medical graduate schools for 2024, ranking UMKC School of Medicine first in two categories.
The school was ranked 20th in the nation for “serving areas of high need” and 75th for “Most Diverse Medical Schools.”
Dean Alexander Norbash (BA '85/MD '86) has been an advocate for rural health care and diversity since his days as a student.
“Since its inception, the UMKC School of Medicine has been committed to serving those less fortunate,” said Norbash. “We remain true to our community and are grateful and proud of this recognition. We look to the future with hope and optimism to further improve the health and well-being of our extended community, with a particular focus on areas of high medical need, the poor and the disadvantaged, whether in urban or rural areas.”
With campuses in Kansas City and St. Joseph, Missouri, the School of Medicine is uniquely positioned to prepare the next generation of health care professionals to provide care to those who need it most in both urban and rural areas. At the Kansas City campus, School of Medicine students and faculty are participating in the “Our Healthy Jackson County” initiative, providing free vaccinations and health screenings to communities in need.
The effort began during the pandemic to help ease the burden of COVID-19 in vulnerable communities and has since expanded to provide mental health, dental and other health screenings in addition to vaccinations.
The commitment to serving communities in need is also being realized with the construction of a new education center on the St. Joseph, Missouri campus. The $14.5 million building is scheduled to open in 2025 and aims to help address Missouri's physician shortage and provide students and faculty with a space to focus on rural healthcare and communities in need. Research has shown that medical students who receive rural training during their training are more likely to pursue careers in rural healthcare.
This is not the first time the school has been recognized for its leadership in educating people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. In 2023, the school received the Health Professionals Higher Education Excellence Award (HEED) from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine for the second consecutive year. The School of Medicine also received the award in 2018.
The school promotes a culture of inclusion and competencies to effectively deliver care in diverse communities, and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion works to prepare students for the workplace. Students participate in anti-racism and cultural bias programming before beginning their clinical placements, ensuring they are prepared to provide excellent care from day one.
Other initiatives, such as special care for academically at-risk students, a Student Multicultural Advisory Council, LGBTQIA+ resources, and a Summer Success Seminar Series, all help students reach their full potential and prepare for careers that care for all people.
The full rankings and report can be found here.
University of Missouri-Kansas City
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