UH Medical School Ranked Among The Nation’s Best In Training Physicians, 3 Years In A Row

The University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) is among the nation’s top medical schools for primary care, earning a Tier 1 designation in the latest U.S. News & World Report “Best Medical Schools” rankings.

For the third year in a row, the recognition places JABSOM in the highest tier of programs nationwide, reinforcing its longstanding role in training physicians who serve Hawaiʻi’s most pressing healthcare needs.

“Hawaiʻi continues to face a critical need for primary care physicians, and that’s exactly where JABSOM is focused,” said Dean Sam Shomaker.

“We’re proud that so many of our students are choosing careers in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and OB-GYN to serve communities across the state.”

More than half of JABSOM’s 2026 class are entering primary care fields, a reflection of the school’s focus on addressing physician shortages across the state.

JABSOM is also expanding training opportunities, including the launch of a new family medicine residency program on Kauaʻi, aimed at strengthening the workforce on neighbor islands.

At the same time, JABSOM recently received full accreditation for the next eight years from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, a distinction that signals strong confidence in the quality of Hawaiʻi’s only medical degree program.

In recent years, more than 2,300 applicants have been competing for just 77 seats, contributing to an increasingly competitive and highly qualified applicant pool.

“That selectivity translates into us ensuring the best of the best are serving Hawaii,” Shomaker said.

According to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, more than half of JABSOM graduates go on to serve in underserved communities. US News ranks JABSOM 42nd in the Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas category.

While JABSOM continues to be recognized for primary care, its research enterprise also remains strong. The school is ranked in Tier 3 for research, alongside institutions such as the University of Louisville and the University of Missouri.

“JABSOM remains the leader of research in the Pacific,” said Steve Ward, JABSOM professor.

“Our faculty, staff, and students are focused on issues that directly impact our community, including health disparities, aging, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and infectious diseases.”