Feb. 15, 2022 — With a record $121 million awarded to the University of Florida College of Medicine from the National Institutes of Health in 2021, the medical school reached the top 25 in NIH funding among public universities.

The rankings, published by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research on Feb. 8, showed that the UF College of Medicine ranked 23rd among public universities on the list, four spots higher than its 2020 rank. The UF College of Medicine also received more NIH funding in 2021 than any other public medical school in Florida.

“The upward movement in the Blue Ridge rankings is a reflection of our faculty’s ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries in their research,” said Colleen Koch, M.D., M.S., M.B.A., dean of the UF College of Medicine.

Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings, published annually, are derived from data compiled and released by the NIH shortly after the federal fiscal year ends.

“Being among the top 25 in public university funding from the NIH is a significant milestone for the university and the College of Medicine,” said Azra Biohorac, M.D., M.S., FCCM, FASN, senior associate dean for research affairs at the College of Medicine. “This overall ranking and the increased rankings of several of our departments demonstrate that our scientists are performing innovative, important research that will improve quality of life for patients and will move medicine forward.”

Among all universities, the College of Medicine rose to the 45th spot in 2021, compared with 52nd in 2020. Neurosurgery, neurosciences and surgery saw the greatest rise in rankings this past year, with the department of neurosurgery up 19 spots to 4th overall and 3rd among public universities, neurosciences ⁠— a combined ranking for the departments of neuroscience and neurology ⁠— reaching 11th overall and 5th among public universities, and surgery rising seven spots to 22nd overall and 12th among public universities.

Brian L. Hoh, M.D., M.B.A., chair of the Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, earned the most NIH funding among all U.S. neurosurgeons in 2021 totaling $8.9 million.

Five total departments within the College of Medicine rank in the top 20 overall and/or for public universities:

Emergency Medicine

Overall: 18th
Public: 9th

Neurosciences – combined ranking for departments of neurology and neuroscience

Overall: 11th
Public: 5th

Neurosurgery

Overall: 4th
Public: 3rd

Pathology

Overall: 20th
Public: 11th

Surgery

Overall: 22nd
Public: 12th