Wright State’s Boonshoft School of Medicine recognized for primary care excellence in 2025 U.S. News rankings

Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine is ranked #1 in Ohio for producing primary care physicians in the 2025 Best Graduate Schools rankings from U.S. News and World Report.

Nationally, the Boonshoft School of Medicine ranked an impressive 38th among medical schools for graduates practicing in primary care.

The Boonshoft School of Medicine continued to make its mark in community-focused health care, ranking second in Ohio and 37th nationally for graduates serving rural communities and third in Ohio for producing physicians who practice in medically underserved areas.

“These rankings are particularly relevant in the state of Ohio, where we have a critical and growing shortage of primary care physicians,” said Raj Mitra, M.D., dean of the Boonshoft School of Medicine and chief academic officer at Premier Health.

By 2025, Ohio faces a projected deficit of 1,200 primary care physicians, threatening patient access to essential care, potentially worsening health disparities among vulnerable populations, and driving up healthcare costs.

The Boonshoft School of Medicine’s commitment to addressing the physician shortage is reflected in the choices of its recent graduates. Over the past five years, nearly 40% have entered primary care fields, with 47% of the class of 2025 matching into primary care residencies. Many graduates are also choosing to stay close to home: more than 43% remained in Ohio for residency training, including 56% of the class of 2025.

Wright State’s medical curriculum develops physicians who excel in any specialty by providing diverse clinical experiences across its partner institutions, including Premier Health, Dayton Children’s, Wright-Patterson Medical Center and the Dayton VA Medical Center, Mitra said.

“Boonshoft School of Medicine graduates are recognized throughout the health care community for their exceptional clinical skills and patient-centered approach,” he said. “This comprehensive training creates versatile physicians equipped to address the most pressing health care needs of our communities.”

The School of Medicine was also ranked in the second tier for primary care nationally and the third tier for medical research in the 2025 Best Graduate Schools rankings.

Wright State’s medical curriculum develops physicians who excel in any specialty by providing diverse clinical experiences across its partner institutions, including Premier Health and Dayton Children’s Hospital.

Excellence in primary care education

The Boonshoft School of Medicine has built its reputation on educating culturally diverse students and emphasizing service learning and patient-centered primary care, establishing itself as a national leader in community-based medical education.

“Our highly dedicated core and voluntary faculty and staff provide students with exceptional experiences in multiple primary care settings, including urban, rural and academic practice environments,” said Harminder Grewal, M.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Family Medicine.

The Family Medicine Residency Program, based at Five Rivers Family Health Center in Dayton, trains 30 residents with a focus on patient-centered principles, community health needs, and advancing medical scholarship. The program consistently attracts top talent from Wright State and across the nation, with many graduates choosing to continue their practice locally.

Comprehensive training programs

Wright State’s Department of Pediatrics delivers education focused on comprehensive primary care for infants, children, and adolescents, while preparing residents in family practice, emergency medicine, and other disciplines to meet children’s primary care needs.

The Internal Medicine program operates as a “clinical department without walls,” leveraging partnerships with Premier Health’s Miami Valley Hospital, the Dayton VA Medical Center, and Wright-Patterson Medical Center to provide diverse clinical experiences.

Leading the way in rural medicine

Addressing critical physician shortages in rural communities, the Boonshoft School of Medicine has developed targeted initiatives to increase physician presence in rural Ohio:

• The Wright Rural Medical Scholars Program enables medical students to complete clinical rotations in partner systems serving rural communities in west central Ohio.
• The program’s Rural Pathway offers an intensive experience for students committed to rural medicine and features specialized clinical training, scholarship opportunities and targeted extracurricular activities.
• The Rural Family Residency Program in Darke County allows physicians to experience rural medical practice firsthand, directly addressing physician shortages in rural communities.