UC San Diego School of Medicine Recognized Among 2024 Best Medical Schools (2024)

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• Stephanie Healey - s2healey@ucsd.edu

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University of California San Diego School of Medicine received a Tier 1 rating according to the U.S. News & World Report rankings of 2024 Best Medical Schools: Research. Only 16% of medical schools that qualified for the research ranking were rated in the Tier 1 classification.

"UC San Diego’s recognition as a leading institution highlights our strengths in advancing medical innovation and preparing future health care leaders," said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. "This accolade reflects our commitment to nurturing a culture of excellence, where groundbreaking research and high-quality medical education and care are integral to serving our communities and creating a healthier world."

U.S. News analyzed data from 102 medical and osteopathic schools fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education for the list of research-intensive medical schools. New for 2024, a tiered ranking system replaces the ordinal ranking system used in previous years. Tiers were calculated based on data related to research activity, student selectivity and faculty resources.

A research powerhouse

Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine are conducting groundbreaking basic, translational and clinical research that is advancing biomedical sciences knowledge and enhancing patient care delivery.

Artificial intelligence is a growing area of research at the medical school and across the university. Earlier this year, researchers developed a machine learning algorithm to predict when cancer will resist chemotherapy. In the field of neurosciences, new biomarkers in the brain were identified that can be used to predict whether or not neurons will regenerate after an injury. In addition, new studies on existing pharmaceuticals are showing the potential for treatment for diseases outside of their FDA-approved use. A recent phase III clinical trial showed that the diabetes drug tirzepatide has potential to be the first drug therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.

“UC San Diego School of Medicine is a recognized leader in innovation and excellence in research, driven by our talented faculty, students, and staff who are passionate about advancing human health and well-being,” said Interim Dean Steven R. Garfin, M.D. “Our institution's commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research has earned us a reputation as a leader in biomedical science, and we're proud to be at the forefront of discoveries that are transforming the future of medicine and health care delivery.”

During fiscal year 2023, the school secured $743 million in sponsored research funding, representing more than 40% of the university’s $1.76 billion in sponsored research. School of Medicine was also ranked No. 5 among public institutions and No. 13 overall in this year’s Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings, which examines funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Training for tomorrow

The mission of medical education at UC San Diego is to educate and inspire physicians to provide innovative, compassionate, and equitable care that will advance the health of patients, families and communities. The medical school reached several important milestones in service of that mission during the last academic year.

• The school admitted its 55^th class of medical students in Fall 2023 — the most diverse class in the school’s history — with one-third of the class underrepresented in medicine and 18% of students being first-generation college students.

• A new medical student curriculum, COAST: Caring Original Advocates Share and Thrive, was introduced last fall with the arrival of the new class. The curricular content and programming shifts away from treating disease and focuses on promoting health in a manner that is creative, human-centered and kind. The new curriculum includes flagship courses in compassion, in partnership with the Sanford Institute of Empathy and Compassion, and equity and systems science; five new concentration opportunities; enhanced assessment and feedback processes; and a life-coaching program.

• The school also expanded its medical education offerings with the launch the Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program in June 2024.

“As I reflect on the past year, I am so proud of our School of Medicine community. Our students continue to demonstrate a deep commitment to becoming compassionate caregivers, leaders and advocates for health equity and social justice,” said Michelle Daniel, M.D., vice dean for medical education. “Our faculty and staff have dedicated countless hours to support our students’ growth and development. Together, we are shaping the future of medicine and improving the lives of the communities we serve.”

Health care excellence

School of Medicine’s top rankings are among many examples of health care excellence at the university. UC San Diego Health, the health system where School of Medicine’s learners complete clinical training, once again received a No. 1 ranking in San Diego and a Honor Roll designation from U.S. News in the 2024-2025 Best Hospitals survey. In addition, UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences was ranked No. 12 on the U.S. News list of 2024 Best Graduate Schools: Pharmacy, the school’s highest ranking since its founding in 2002.

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