Osteopathic Medical Schools Top U.S. News Rankings in Primary Care, Rural Placement

Rankings reinforce osteopathic medicine’s role in addressing physician shortages nationwide

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Bethesda, MD) – Osteopathic medical schools continue to lead the nation in training physicians for primary care and high-need communities, according to new U.S. News & World Report rankings released today and highlighted by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). This year, colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) accounted for:

• Nine of the top 10 medical schools with the most graduates practicing in primary care
• Six of the top 10 for graduates practicing in rural areas
• Five of the top 10 for graduates practicing in Medically Underserved Areas

“Year after year, these rankings confirm what our data continues to show, that osteopathic medical schools are leading the way in training physicians who practice where they’re needed most,” said AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO. “As the nation grapples with physician shortages, particularly in primary care and underserved communities, our colleges are delivering results that directly translate into greater healthcare access. These outcomes reflect a deliberate, mission-driven model of medical education that is built to meet the country’s most pressing healthcare needs.”

Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care

Osteopathic medical schools make up nine of the top 10 and 16 of the top 20:

1. William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
2. A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
3. Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
4. Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
5. A.T. Still University of Health Sciences - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
6. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
7. Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
8. Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
9. Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
11. Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
13. Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
14. Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
15. Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
17. Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine
18. Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
19. West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas

COMs represent six of the top 10 and 10 of the top 20:

1. A.T. Still University of Health Sciences - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
3. William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
6. Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
7. Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
8. Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
9. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
11. Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
12. Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
15. Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine
19. West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas

COMs make up five of the top 10 and eight of the top 20:

1. Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
2. Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
3. William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
6. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
8. Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
14. Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
16. University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
19. Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine

“Together, these outcomes reinforce the growing role of osteopathic medicine in strengthening the physician workforce and expanding access to care in communities nationwide,” added Dr. Cain.

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 38,000 future physicians—close to 30 percent of all U.S. medical students—are being educated at one of our 46 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine, encompassing 73 teaching locations in 36 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