Pre-medicine students now have an even better reason to stay in Johnson City for their graduate medical studies – the James H. Quillen College of Medicine is ranked among the nation’s top medical schools in the “2002 Best Graduate Schools” issue of this month’s U.S. News and World Report.
“I think it’s exceptionally wonderful,” President Stanton said.
ETSU has placed in the top ten in the category of rural medical education for four consecutive years. This year, it tied for fourth place along with the University of North Dakota. The University of Washington placed first in the rankings.
“We’re steadily moving up,” Stanton said.
As well as holding in the top ten, ETSU also tied for 13th place in the top schools for family medicine training. Last year, it took only 19th.
A few other schools shared 13th place with ETSU, including Dartmouth Medical School, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Minnesota-Duluth and West Virginia School of Osteopathic
Medicine.
“These rankings underscore our successful efforts in preparing physicians for service in primary care and rural medicine, which has been the mission of our school since its founding more than a quarter century ago,” said Dr. Ronald D. Franks, ETSU dean of medicine and vice president for health affairs.
The school rankings are based on surveys sent to 125 medical schools, from which administrators are asked to rank the other schools on reputation in different areas, such as family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, women’s health, rural medicine and geriatrics.
“It’s becoming more and more positive, with higher rankings especially in primary care and family medicine,” Stanton said. “We’re right where we had to be, and if we move up a couple of notches, we’ll be the top in the country.”
ETSU’s ranking is a source of pride for students as well.
“It makes me proud to be part of the institution,” said Sejal Mehta, a first-year medical student. “I can be secure in knowing I am getting a sound education.”
Mehta said that while ETSU is great in those ranked areas, it is exceptional across the board as a medical education institution.
“It reassures us that we’re doing well,” Mehta said.
ETSU hopes to be seen favorably in the eyes of other institutions in the future as well.
“It is especially gratifying that our peers at other institutions recognize our strong commitment in this area,” Franks said.
Stanton said, “With proper resources, we can be the best in regional medicine.”
For more information, please contact Franks at 439-6315 or University Relations at 439-5707.

Author