Osteopathic Medical Schools Lead the Nation in Primary Care and Rural Health Rankings

Top 14 medical schools for primary care graduates are all osteopathic, U.S. News & World Reports

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Bethesda, MD) – Today, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) proudly announces the impressive performance of its member colleges in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Medical Schools rankings. In a remarkable achievement, osteopathic medical schools have secured the top 14 positions for graduates practicing in primary care, and six osteopathic medical schools are ranked in the top 10 for graduates practicing in rural areas. Access to primary care is crucial for better overall health outcomes, and osteopathic medical schools are leading the way in ensuring this essential service reaches all communities, especially those in rural and underserved areas.

“We are immensely proud to see our colleges achieve such prestigious national recognition, particularly as, for the first time ever, the top 14 medical schools for graduates practicing in primary care are all osteopathic institutions,” said AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO. “This outstanding achievement, along with having six of our schools ranked in the top 10 for rural health, underscores osteopathic medicine's pivotal role in addressing the national challenges of primary care and rural physician shortages. The exceptional performance of both our colleges and their students demonstrates the expanding demand for osteopathic principles and philosophy and its growing impact on the health and well-being of communities nationwide. We commend the COMs for their well-deserved recognition and their unwavering dedication to excellence in osteopathic medical education.”

Osteopathic Excellence in Primary Care and Rural Health:
The top 14 medical schools for graduates practicing in primary care:

1. Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
2. Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
3. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
4. William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
5. Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
6. A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
7. Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
8. A.T. Still University of Health Sciences - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
9. Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (tie)
9. University of North Texas Health Science Center-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (tie)
11. Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
12. Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine (tie)
12. Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (tie)
14. Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Additionally, six COMs ranked in the top 10 for graduates practicing in rural areas, highlighting the osteopathic commitment to rural health:

1. A.T. Still University of Health Sciences - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
2. William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
3. Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
4. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
8. Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
10. West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Top Performers in Health Professional Shortage Areas:
Four COMs ranked in the top 10, and seven in the top 20, for graduates practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas:

1. Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
2. Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
6. Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
8. William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
11. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
15. Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
18. West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Best Medical Schools: Primary Care
Two COMs achieved tier one status as best primary care medical schools (U.S. News & World Report uses four tiers to identify top medical schools in the primary care and research categories):

• University of North Texas Health Science Center-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

AACOM continues to celebrate the accomplishments of its member colleges and their dedication to excellence in osteopathic medical education and service.

About AACOM:

Founded in 1898, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is the leading voice for the education and training of physicians who practice osteopathic medicine in settings across the medical spectrum—from primary care to the full range of medical specialties. We support our member colleges of osteopathic medicine in their efforts to attract and train individuals who are fueled by a desire to make a difference in our healthcare system by treating the whole person and building a future emphasizing health and wellness for all people. Today, more than 36,000 future physicians—25 percent of all U.S. medical students—are being educated at one of our 41 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine, encompassing 66 teaching locations in 35 states. To learn more about AACOM, please visit our website.

Contacts:

Joseph Shapiro
Director of Media Relations
(240) 938-0746
jshapiro@aacom.org

Christine DeCarlo
Senior Manager of Media and Public Affairs
(202) 603-1026
cdecarlo@aacom.org