The Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences ranks among the top 10 nationwide in National Institutes of Health research funding.

The Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, which provides an annual ranking of NIH funding to medical schools and individual departments, this year placed the WSU department seventh among the nation’s 150 Family Medicine departments.

In 2016, the department was ranked 25th nationally. The ranking climbed to eighth in 2018, and now has reached seventh nationally.

Department chair Tsveti Markova, M.D., noted the department’s community and public health focus, and emphasis on intervention and implementation science, and community engagement. The department’s research is aligned with the university's mission to conduct health equity and disparities research that improves health outcomes for Detroit and the region, she said.

“The high ranking demonstrates the department’s continued commitment to research excellence and the outstanding efforts of its investigators,” said Dr. Markova, who also serves as associate dean of Graduate Medical Education. “Our faculty, staff and research leadership in the department, the School of Medicine and the Office of the Vice President of Research should all be proud of this accomplishment.”

She added, “I am thrilled by the news of this outstanding ranking and hope to remain in the top 10 in future years as our research faculty build on their successes. Thanks to all of our investigators, division leadership and staff for their hard work.”

The Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research has monitored NIH funding to medical schools and other health science schools and organizations since 2006. It generates an annual ranking of NIH funding for U.S. medical schools and their departments.