University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences: Programs and Impact
The University of North Dakota (UND) School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) has a long and impactful history, significantly contributing to healthcare in North Dakota and beyond. Founded in 1905, the school has evolved from offering the first two years of medical education to a comprehensive institution granting Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees and hosting diverse health science programs.
Historical Overview
Established in 1905, the school initially provided the first two years of medical education, awarding students a Bachelor of Sciences in Medicine (BS Med) degree. In 1973, the school expanded its offerings to grant MD degrees, although the third year of medical school was initially completed at either Mayo Medical School or the University of Minnesota Medical School. The school's growth and impact were further solidified in May when the North Dakota Legislature approved funding for a new $124 million facility on the UND campus.
Location and Campus
The Northeast Campus, which is the main campus, is located in Grand Forks. The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences is located at 501 N Columbia Rd, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037.
Programs Offered
The UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences hosts a variety of professional programs, preparing students for diverse roles in healthcare. These programs include:
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.): The school admits 78 medical students each year, with an acceptance rate of 4-5 percent. Students spend their time studying basic sciences and clinical skills. Students pursing the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) may concurrently work toward the Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences. Completing both degrees takes about seven years and you first need to be admitted to the M.D. You can also work to earn your Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Master or Public Health (M.P.H.) degrees simultaneously.
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Physician Assistant Studies: The school also hosts professional programs for students interested in physician assistant studies.
Physical Therapy: The school also hosts professional programs for students interested in physical therapy. The school also welcomes fully qualified students who wish to pursue an education in Physical Therapy.
Occupational Therapy: The school also hosts professional programs for students interested in occupational therapy. The school also welcomes students desiring to pursue an education in Occupational Therapy. The program consists of pre-professional coursework and three years of professional OT curriculum.
Medical Laboratory Science: The school also hosts professional programs for students interested in medical laboratory science.
Sports Medicine: The school also hosts professional programs for students interested in sports medicine.
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Public Health: The school also hosts professional programs for students interested in public health. The program includes a Master of Public Health in three different specializations, and an Accelerated B.S./M.P.H. degree.
Research and Innovation
Research is a vital component of the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences. In fiscal year 2020, research awards totaled nearly $31 million. The school's commitment to research extends to improving patient safety and care through a state-of-the-art simulation facility. This facility offers a clinical setting where healthcare professionals can actively apply their knowledge in simulation, observation, and debriefing of real-life patient scenarios.
To complement the cadavers housed in the Anatomy Lab, a virtual reality Anatomage table is a revolutionary teaching tool allowing for virtual dissection.
Center for Rural Health
The medical school is also home to the Center for Rural Health, which focuses on the health of rural communities and has been awarded numerous grants. The Center's programs include the nationally recognized Rural Health Information Hub, the National Resource Center on Native American Aging and other programs.
Impact and Rankings
The school has trained roughly half of the physicians currently practicing in the state. Nearly 20 percent of American physicians identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native in the United States were trained at the school. Also, the medical school has been ranked third nationally in the area of rural medicine and first for the percentage of graduates choosing family medicine.
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ND 85 and PCAT Initiatives
A key focus of discussion is ND 85, an initiative that emerged from the most recent legislative session. ND 85 aims to increase the percentage of North Dakota students in UND’s medical (MD) and physician assistant (PA) programs to 85 percent. Complementing ND 85 is the Primary Care Accelerated Track (PCAT), a three-year medical school pathway that will launch in 2028.
Clinical Resources
The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences has special clinical resources such as Cardiac ICU, Medical Surgical ICU, Pediatric ICU, Neonatal ICU, Burn care, Physical rehabilitation, Psychiatric care and Hospice.
Affiliations
The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences has Medical School Affiliations and Program Partnerships with Uniformed Services Univ of the Hlth Sci F Edward Hebert Sch of Med and Pacific Northwest Univ of Health Sciences Coll of Osteopathic Med.
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