U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences as one of the best in the nation for its commitment to rural medicine.

The ranking, released in the 2010 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools by U.S. News & World Report, is based on results of a survey of deans and senior faculty members at 126 U.S. medical schools and 20 schools of osteopathic medicine.

UND offers medical students a third-year experience in rural communities through its Rural Opportunities in Medical Education (ROME) Program.  Its faculty and staff also conduct research on rural health care issues. A community-based medical school, UND’s third- and fourth-year students receive education and training from practicing physicians who volunteer to teach them in nearly 30 cities and towns throughout North Dakota.

The ranking also recognizes the school’s Center for Rural Health, one of the nation’s leading resources for information on rural health issues, policy and research.  The Center is home to the Rural Assistance Center, an international clearinghouse for health and human services information, and also provides national expertise in the areas of rural health communications and Native American and veteran rural health issues.

In the Best Graduate Schools survey, the UND medical school ranked with the University of Washington and the University of New Mexico.  In past years, UND has been recognized repeatedly by U.S. News & World Report, usually ranking in the top five in rural medicine.

The magazine also reports the rankings of the top medical schools in areas such as research and primary care, and demonstrated commitment to women’s health, family medicine, AIDS, drug and alcohol abuse, geriatrics, internal medicine and pediatrics.