Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Nationally Recognized for Excellence in Primary Care, Rural and Underserved Medicine
Published April 02, 2021
2021
U.S. News & World Report Names COMs Among Nation’s Best Medical Schools
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Bethesda, MD) - The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) congratulates its member schools for their impressive performance in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Medical Schools rankings. Many colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) saw their rankings increase this year, which is particularly notable given the continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. COMs also achieved top rankings in primary care and rural and underserved practice categories:
- Medical Schools with Graduates Practicing Patient Care in Rural Areas:
- Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine at University of Pikeville ranked first.
- William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine ranked second.
- Most Graduates Practicing Primary Care:
- Midwestern University CCOM ranked first.
- Graduates Practicing in Underserved Areas:
- Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences ranked second.
“While the full, true measure of a doctor or school can never be reduced to rankings and numbers, we are proud of the accomplishments and recognition of our colleges,” said AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO. “Osteopathic medical education is based on the philosophy of healing the whole patient—mind, body and spirit. Instilling this holistic philosophy in students requires the highest standard of classroom and clinical training, and our schools are excelling in this pursuit. I am gratified that the osteopathic medical philosophy is resonating strongly with today’s students, as we saw a record number of applications to our schools this year.”
Osteopathic medicine is rooted in primary care, and osteopathic medical students are taught through this lens, equipping them to care for patients as whole people. Many COMs are focused on improving healthcare access in rural and medically underserved communities and that commitment to primary care and access to healthcare is reflected in these rankings.
In addition to the top rankings noted above, other results include:
- Nine COMs ranked in the top 10, and 12 in the top 20, for most graduates practicing primary care:
- Midwestern University CCOM #1
- Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences #2
- Western University of Health Sciences #3
- Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine #4
- Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine at University of Pikeville #5
- A.T. Still University of Health Sciences- Kirksville #6
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine- #7
- Touro University California #8
- Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences #9
- West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine #14
- A.T. Still University of Health Sciences- Mesa #15
- Nova Southeastern University Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine #20
- Six COMs ranked in the top 10, and 10 in the top 20, for most graduates practicing in rural areas:
- Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine at University of Pikeville #1
- William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine #2
- A.T. Still University of Health Sciences- Kirksville #4
- Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine#7
- Rocky Vista University #8
- Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine #10
- Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine #11
- University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine #12
- West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine #16
- Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences #17
- Four COMs ranked in the top 10 for most graduates practicing in medical underserved areas:
- Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences #2
- William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine #5
- Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine #6
- Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine #7
About AACOM
The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) leads and advocates for the full continuum of osteopathic medical education to improve the health of the public. Founded in 1898 to support and assist the nation's osteopathic medical schools, AACOM represents all 37 colleges of osteopathic medicine—educating nearly 31,000 future physicians, 25 percent of all US medical students—at 58 teaching locations in 33 US states, as well as osteopathic graduate medical education professionals and trainees at US medical centers, hospitals, clinics and health systems.
Contacts
Joseph Shapiro
Director of Media Relations
(240) 938-0746
jshapiro@aacom.org
Christine DeCarlo
Media and Public Affairs Manager
(202) 603-1026
cdecarlo@aacom.org