Health colleges help fuel UF’s overall rise in national graduate program rankings
By Doug Bennett
The University of Florida College of Medicine made substantial gains in its primary care ranking while remaining the No. 1 overall medical school in Florida and again securing a place among the nation’s best medical schools in U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of graduate schools. The College of Nursing’s doctoral program — No. 1 in Florida — and the College of Medicine’s School of Physician Assistant Studies rose in the national rankings, while the UF College of Veterinary Medicine broke into the Top 10 programs.
The College of Medicine is ranked No. 43 in the nation and No. 19 among public medical schools for medical research. The college made its biggest gain in the primary care rankings, jumping 12 spots to 53 from 65 in a category that considers the percentage of graduates doing residencies in pediatrics, internal medicine and family medicine.
“It is especially satisfying for the University of Florida to be recognized for what takes place here every day: an unwavering commitment to exceptional medical research and education,” said David R. Nelson, M.D., interim senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of UF Health, the university’s academic health center.
The college’s overall research ranking was derived from factors that include acceptance rate, federal research funding, faculty-to-student ratio and surveys of academic administrators around the country.
“Our substantial rise in the primary care rankings is more evidence that the College of Medicine fosters an environment of excellence,” said Joseph A. Tyndall, M.D., M.P.H., interim dean of the UF College of Medicine and a professor of emergency medicine.
Physician Assistant school gains ground in rankings
UF’s School of Physician Assistant Studies rose to 21 from 27 among physician assistant programs nationwide. In the past year, the school has
inaugurated a research initiative, increased experiential learning opportunities and increased the use of educational technologies.
“The latest ranking shows that our school is earning its place among the nation’s best physician assistant programs,” said Nina Multak, Ph.D.,PA-C, the school’s dean and director. “Our faculty and staff have contributed greatly to this accomplishment.”
Nursing doctoral ranking jumps
The College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program improved its standing, rising to 24th in the nation from 28th.
“As the top D.N.P. program in the state and No. 24 nationally, the UF College of Nursing remains at the forefront of preparing graduates who provide excellent personalized nursing care, influence evidence-based practice and provide leadership in health care delivery, education and the profession,” said Dean Anna McDaniel, Ph.D.
UF College of Veterinary Medicine breaks into Top 10
The College of Veterinary Medicine joined an elite group, ranking ninth among all veterinary programs. It had previously been ranked 14th in the country.
“These new rankings reflect amazing success in our ongoing pursuit of preeminence across the mission: teaching, research and clinical service. Without a doubt, our success is squarely rooted in the incredible hard work, dedication, creativity, scholarship and unwavering commitment to quality of our faculty, staff and students,” said James W. Lloyd, D.V.M., Ph.D., the school’s dean.
Public Health and Health Professions recognized
Among graduate programs in public health, UF is ranked 37th out of 177 institutions.
“The college is relatively young, yet in the 10 years since achieving public health accreditation, we have attracted faculty members who are leaders in their fields, developed a comprehensive offering of degree programs at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, and created outreach programs that serve our community, the state and countries around the world,” said Michael G. Perri, Ph.D., the school’s dean.
Other ranked programs
In previous rankings, UF’s graduate program in health care management was ranked No. 33, 2016, the UF College of Pharmacy (No. 9, 2016), physical therapy (No. 10, 2016), occupational therapy (No. 17, 2016), audiology (No. 26, 2016) and speech-language pathology (No. 28, 2016).
