Med School ranks fifth in funding

The National Institute for Health ranked the Medical School fifth in the nation in terms of federal research funding. NIH granted the Med School $117.6 million in fiscal year 1993, a 29.9 percent increase from 1992. In 1992, the University received $90.5 million from the NIH, which is more than $25 million less than this year. The Med School followed only the medical schools at Johns Hopkins University, the University of California at San Francisco, Yale and Washington University in funding. And it was ranked first of all Pennsylvania medical schools, far outpacing city rivals Thomas Jefferson University, Hahnemann University and Temple University. The University of Pittsburgh ranked second in the state and twelfth nationally with research grants totalling $91.9 million. The University received just under 38 percent of all NIH grants to Pennsylvania medical schools in 1993. "I am really delighted with that outcome," said William Kelley, Chief Executive Officer of the University Medical Center and Health System and Dean of the Med School. "It speaks really well for the faculty," he added. "It is a really good [sign of] quality in this competitive research environment." Med Center spokesperson Rebecca Harmon agreed. "It really does demonstrate the excellence of the faculty at this institution," Harmon said. Along with the University's fifth place national status, four medical school departments led the nation in research funding. Dermatology, Physiology, Radiation and Radiation Oncology led the nation in their respective fields. The "top five" finish is an improvement over consecutive tenth place finishes in 1991 and 1992. And this year, the University surpassed other nationally distinguished medical schools, such as Stanford, Duke and Columbia. University officials said the increase in funding will have several impacts on the Med Center and surrounding community. "All of the information and research allows us to improve patient care," Harmon said. "And when we get research funds, that translates into jobs." The outlook for future NIH funding is strong. "I hope we can continue to do better," Kelley said. "I have a high level of confidence in our faculty."