Sanford School of Medicine ranks in national top 10 for Rural Medicine

The magazine’s “America’s Best Graduate School’s 2013” guide ranks USD’s medical school No. 7, up one slot from last year, and ahead of the University of Iowa, Michigan State University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Topping this year’s list for rural medicine was the University of Washington.

Medical school deans and senior faculty were polled by the publication in selecting the best programs in the U.S. The medical school’s mission places an emphasis on family medicine and encourages graduates to serve people in rural areas and other underserved places in the state.

“We are pleased with this recognition,” said Dr. Rodney Parry, USD’s vice president of health affairs and dean of the Sanford School of Medicine. “With the expected class size expansion and the addition of the rural track to our program’s offerings, we intend to make even greater strides in rural medicine in the coming years.”

The med school rankings are part of the U.S. News Media Group 2013 Best Graduate Schools rankings available online at www.usnews.com/grad. Highlights of the rankings will be published in the “Best Graduate Schools 2013” edition book, on sale April 3.

About the Sanford School of Medicine

For more than a century, the Sanford School of Medicine of the University of South Dakota has set the standard for medical education of students, residents and professionals in the state. The school’s mission includes education, research and service. It emphasizes family practice to help create the next generation of doctors for all parts of the state. The school’s economic impact includes attracting $17 million annually in research funding as well as hosting two of the four 2010 Research Centers designated by the governor.

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