The University of Washington School of Medicine is a regional resource for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho - the WWAMI states.
Founded in 1946, the UW medical school is recognized for excellence in training primary-care physicians and for advancing medical knowledge through scientific research. The UW School of Medicine is nationally-recognized for a commitment to community service through volunteer activities of students, staff, faculty and alumni.
UW School of Medicine has been ranked the No. 1 primary care medical school in the country for 16 consecutive years. In addition, UW Medicine teaching programs are ranked among the best in the country in the 2009 rankings by
U.S. News & World Report.
- Family medicine (No. 1, for the 18th year in a row)
- Rural medicine (No. 1, for the 18th year in a row)
- AIDS (No. 4)
- Women’s healthe (No. 4)
- Bioengineering (No. 5, joint program with College of Engineering)
- Internal medicine (No. 8)
- Geriatrics (No. 6)
- Pediatrics (No. 6)
Harvard Medical School is the only other institution to rank as highly as the UW School of Medicine in both primary care and research.
Full-time physician faculty members of the UW School of Medicine staff UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center, as well as the Puget Sound Veterans Affairs Health Care System and Seattle Children’s. UW medical faculty members also staff UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinics located throughout Puget Sound. In addition, UW physician faculty provide expert consultation to practicing physicians throughout the region.
Research scientists at the UW School of Medicine explore every aspect of health and disease, from the molecular mechanisms of gene action to population studies of global illnesses. UW research scientists’ work has contributed to improved understanding of the cause of diseases and to better treatments and prevention of many disorders.
Graduates of the UW medical school - physicians, scientists, allied health personnel, or scholars in medical history and ethics - go on to serve in a wide variety of capacities. Many M.D. and physician assistant alumni practice in areas of need, such as rural towns, inner cities and in developing nations.
One distinguishing characteristic of the UW medical school is interdisciplinary collaboration. Scientists, educators, and clinicians are dedicated to helping each other reach the common goals of improving people’s health and alleviating suffering from disease.