Mapping a healthier future
Celebrating education, research and patient care at the UF College of Medicine
June 10, 2026 – Academic health systems encompass the life cycle of medicine, with investigations of the past influencing novel approaches and considerations for how today’s education, training and research will lead to future healthcare insights that change lives.
At the University of Florida College of Medicine, being part of an academic medical center means going beyond diagnosing diseases — it means meeting a mission to improve lives through world-class education, innovative research and compassionate, patient-centered care. At the end of that mission is a promise to students, faculty, staff, trainees, alumni and patients to go greater and be better for our communities.
Read more about some of the college’s latest highlights and achievements:
Research
Norman Beatty, M.D., FACP, examining a captured kissing bug in the field.
Reaching record-breaking National Institutes of Health research funding
The College of Medicine received a record-breaking $176 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health during fiscal year 2025, supporting over 300 research projects and underscoring the institution’s sustained commitment to accelerating medical discovery.
Additionally, two UF programs ranked in the top 10 nationally, reaching No. 2 in the nation for neurosurgery and No. 3 for neurosciences. These programs are represented by the Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery and a combined ranking of the departments of Neuroscience and Neurology. UF now ranks No. 40 in NIH funding among all medical schools and No. 20 among public institutions.
Leading the charge on chagas disease
UF professor Norman Beatty, M.D., is leading initiatives on Chagas disease, a potentially deadly parasitic infection transmitted by exposure to the kissing bug. Experts agree that up to 300,000 people may be living with chronic Chagas disease in the U.S., with Florida estimated to have the third-highest burden, but the true extent is unknown.
Beatty is developing the statewide infrastructure needed to track and research the disease from the UF Chagas Disease Clinic. He has studied the disease for over a decade but seeks to further awareness and understanding of it through collaboration with other healthcare institutions.
Uncovering the genetics of OCD
In the largest-ever study of the genetics behind obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, experts have identified multiple DNA variants that may predict risk and guide treatment options. Carol Mathews, M.D., chair of the UF Department of Psychiatry, co-led the study with 200 investigators across the globe. After studying over 53,660 OCD cases, they discovered OCD is not caused by a single gene or brain region, but rather the connections between hundreds or thousands of genes.
Researchers made substantial progress in identifying genetic-risk loci –– locations on a chromosome where DNA variants are linked to higher susceptibility of a certain disease or trait. There is no cure for OCD, but understanding patterns of gene expression can help scientists develop future medications or therapies. Grasping the biological underpinnings of OCD can also clarify its connection to co-occurring psychiatric disorders.
Education
Placing among the nation’s top medical schools
In April, U.S. News & World Report recognized the UF College of Medicine as a Tier 1 research medical school — just one of 16 institutions nationwide named to the top-ranked category.
This ranking followed a successful Match Day, along with steady expansion in education offerings and research advancements. As UF continues to grow its research enterprise, leaders in the College of Medicine maintain these impressive outcomes depend on the dedication of faculty, the caliber of students and the collaborative culture that defines the college.
During Match Day 2026, 99% of UF medical students matched to residency programs, including competitive programs in a range of specialties.
Launching artificial intelligence training opportunities
Starting this fall, the College of Medicine is debuting an Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical and Health Sciences master’s program. The 30-credit hour program will span UF’s Gainesville and Jacksonville campuses and equip students with the skills needed to solve complex challenges in medicine.
In an increasingly AI-driven world, navigating the intersection between medical sciences and technology is essential to make a tangible impact on the healthcare industry. UF is one of only a handful of institutions offering a graduate program of this kind.
Achieving unmatched medical residency match rates
With a match rate of 99% — above national averages — the College of Medicine celebrated 141 M.D. Class of 2026 graduates during Match Day who will soon begin their residency training at top institutions in 27 U.S. states, from Florida to Hawaii.
Top specialties include internal medicine, anesthesiology, pediatrics, orthopaedic surgery and emergency medicine.
Patient Care
Creating a comprehensive colorectal screening program
As rates of colon cancer rise, a team of UF medical students are prioritizing preventive care by creating a comprehensive colorectal screening program. The UF Equal Access Clinic Network, a group of student-run, specialty care clinics that provide free care to underserved patients in North Central Florida, recently received a two-year $9,000 grant from the Alpha Omega Honor Medical Society to fund the program.
Colorectal cancer causes the most deaths of any cancer in adults under 50, but many patients face barriers to medical care. The Equal Access Clinic Network will use the grant funding to streamline the screening process by covering transportation, referral, pre-evaluation costs and even translation services.
Achieving excellence in endometriosis care
Experts in the UF Health Endometriosis Program are focused on decreasing the time it takes for women to be diagnosed with endometriosis, a chronic reproductive disorder that can cause debilitating pain and infertility. The program also prioritizes access to individualized treatments that use leading-edge technology.
To discover new treatment options and accelerate endometriosis diagnosis, gynecologic surgeons are leveraging the university’s research and artificial intelligence infrastructure. They recently developed an AI-powered prediction model with the potential to help physicians quickly identify symptoms once it is approved for patient care.
In 2025, the Surgical Review Corp recognized these efforts by designating UF Health as the sixth Center of Excellence in Complex Endometriosis Care in the world, and one of only four in the nation.
Expanding the clinical footprint
Opened this spring, the new UF Health Orthopaedic Surgical Center is a 24,000-square-foot-facility equipped with specialized operating suites. It was designed with patients in mind, featuring 11 pre-operation and 11 post-operation bays built to provide tailored care. The new location represents the pinnacle of orthopaedic medicine and was constructed to complement the potential of UF’s advanced technology and skilled surgeons.
