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OSU Medicine students with a focus on rural health stand around OSU-CHS President, Dr. Kayse Shrum.
OSU Medicine students with a focus on rural health stand around OSU-CHS President Dr. Kayse Shrum.

OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine climbs U.S. News & World Report rankings

Friday, April 2, 2021

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences has been designated one of the nation’s best medical schools in numerous U.S. News and World Report rankings.

OSU-CHS earned a No. 10 ranking in rural care and the No. 7 spot in health professional shortage areas. In primary care, OSU-CHS is No. 42 in primary care production and No. 13 in diversity.

“Being ranked as one of the top schools in the nation in the areas of graduates practicing in rural areas, medically needy and underserved areas, and the most graduates in primary care is a point of pride for us, but more importantly, we realize that we are answering the call and changing the landscape for a healthier Oklahoma," said Dr. Kayse Shrum, president of the OSU Center for Health Sciences and dean of the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. "The ranking of being one of the most diverse medical schools is in large part a testament to our partnerships with tribal nations, as well as our commitment to recruit underrepresented minorities to achieve their dream of becoming doctors. All of this speaks to our work toward creating better health outcomes for all Oklahomans."

Dr. Johnny Stephens, chief operating officer and senior vice president of OSU Center for Health Sciences, said the rankings reflected the dedication of the faculty, staff and students. 

“The rankings of OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine as leaders in producing primary care physicians and placing new physicians in rural and underserved areas of our state is at the core of our mission. Our incredible faculty and staff along with our dedicated students have made this possible,” he said.

Providing health care to rural and underserved populations is the heart of the OSU-CHS mission. Placing in the top 10 schools serving medically needy and rural areas is especially meaningful.

“At OSU-CHS, we believe your zip code should not dictate your access to quality health care,” said Dr. Dennis Blankenship, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. “By emphasizing innovation and a passion for community, OSU Medicine produces graduates eager to work in underserved areas.”

In 2020 with the opening of the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation, the nation’s first tribally affiliated college of medicine was established. The No.13 ranking in diversity is a true badge of honor as more Native American students are admitted to medical school, many at OSU’s additional campus in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

“The OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation inaugural class is a diverse group, including 20 percent who are American Indian,” Assistant Dean of Diversity Brenda Davidson said. “The world is very diverse, and a campus that reflects the community encourages medical students to consider the whole patient, a founding tenet of osteopathic medicine.”

The 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings are from a survey of more than 150 accredited allopathic and osteopathic medical schools in the United States, which grant M.D. and D.O. degrees, respectively.

U.S. News published four new rankings of medical schools, working with the Robert Graham Center, a division of the American Academy of Family Physicians, as the data provider to measure how medical schools are performing on key health care issues they and their graduates face.

To see the U.S. News and World Report 2022 Best Graduate School rankings, go to the Best Graduate Schools website at https://okla.st/2R1Dg7b.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sara Plummer | Communications Coordinator | 918-561-1282 | sara.plummer@okstate.edu 

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