Best Medical Schools in Oregon

Oregon, with its unique blend of urban and rural populations, offers some of the best medical education opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. The state is known for its commitment to primary care, rural health, and community-based healthcare services, making it a perfect destination for students interested in serving diverse populations, particularly those in underserved areas. Oregon’s medical schools also emphasize research and innovation, preparing students to become leaders in both clinical practice and medical research.


1. Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine

The Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine, located in Portland, is the only academic health center in Oregon and one of the top-ranked medical schools in the country. Known for its strong focus on research, primary care, and rural medicine, OHSU is committed to improving healthcare across Oregon and beyond.

Key Features

  • Primary Care and Rural Health Focus: OHSU is consistently ranked highly for its primary care education and its commitment to serving rural communities, making it an excellent choice for students interested in family medicine and rural healthcare.
  • Research Leadership: OHSU is a leader in medical research, particularly in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, public health, and cardiovascular medicine. Students have access to cutting-edge research facilities and opportunities to work alongside world-class researchers.
  • Interprofessional Collaboration: OHSU promotes collaboration across disciplines, encouraging medical students to work alongside professionals in nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and public health to provide patient-centered care.

Degree Programs

  • MD Program: A four-year program that integrates basic sciences, clinical skills, and patient care. The curriculum includes early clinical exposure and emphasizes problem-solving and evidence-based medicine.
  • MD/PhD Program: The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at OHSU prepares students for careers as physician-scientists, combining medical education with advanced research in biomedical sciences.
  • MD/MPH Program: A dual degree combining medical education with public health, ideal for students interested in population health, epidemiology, or healthcare policy.
  • Rural Scholars Program: A specialized track for students interested in rural healthcare, with a focus on training physicians to work in underserved areas of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

Clinical Experience

OHSU offers a wide variety of clinical training opportunities through its partnerships with hospitals and healthcare facilities across Oregon:

  • OHSU Hospital: The university’s teaching hospital, where students gain experience in a wide range of specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and oncology.
  • Doernbecher Children’s Hospital: A top pediatric hospital in the region, providing students with clinical training in pediatric care, neonatology, and pediatric surgery.
  • Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System: Offers rotations in veteran care, focusing on chronic disease management, mental health, and geriatric care.
  • Rural Rotations: Through the Oregon Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), OHSU students have the opportunity to complete clinical rotations in rural communities, gaining hands-on experience in primary care and rural healthcare delivery.

Research Opportunities

OHSU is a national leader in medical research, offering students numerous opportunities to engage in groundbreaking projects:

  • Knight Cancer Institute: An NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing students with the chance to participate in cutting-edge cancer research and clinical trials.
  • OHSU Brain Institute: A leader in neuroscience research, with projects focused on neurodegenerative diseases, brain injury, and cognitive health.
  • Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences: Conducts research on the impact of occupational hazards on health, offering students opportunities to engage in public health and workplace health research.
  • Public Health Research: OHSU is committed to addressing public health challenges, offering research opportunities in areas such as health disparities, chronic disease prevention, and healthcare access for underserved populations.

2. College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest (COMP-Northwest)

The College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest (COMP-Northwest), located in Lebanon, Oregon, is part of Western University of Health Sciences and is the first osteopathic medical school in Oregon. Established in 2011, COMP-Northwest is dedicated to training primary care physicians with a focus on rural health and underserved communities.

Key Features

  • Osteopathic Medicine: COMP-Northwest emphasizes the osteopathic philosophy of whole-person care, with a focus on preventive medicine, the musculoskeletal system, and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).
  • Rural Health Focus: The school is committed to addressing the physician shortage in rural Oregon, training students to serve in primary care roles in underserved communities.
  • Community-Based Education: COMP-Northwest fosters strong partnerships with community hospitals and clinics, providing students with hands-on experience in real-world healthcare settings.

Degree Programs

  • DO Program: A four-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program that integrates basic science, clinical skills, and osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). The curriculum emphasizes primary care, rural medicine, and holistic patient care.
  • Dual Degree Options: COMP-Northwest offers dual degree programs in collaboration with other institutions, including DO/MPH (Master of Public Health) and DO/MBA (Master of Business Administration), allowing students to pursue additional training in public health or healthcare management.

Clinical Experience

COMP-Northwest offers students extensive clinical training through partnerships with healthcare facilities across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest:

  • Samaritan Health Services: A key clinical partner, providing students with rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine.
  • Rural Health Clinics: The school places a strong emphasis on rural healthcare, offering students the opportunity to complete clinical rotations in rural clinics and hospitals across Oregon.
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Centers: Students gain experience in veteran care, focusing on primary care, chronic disease management, and mental health.
  • Community Health Clinics: COMP-Northwest partners with federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to provide students with experience in community-based healthcare, focusing on underserved populations.

Research Opportunities

While COMP-Northwest primarily focuses on clinical education, the school encourages students to engage in research, particularly in areas related to primary care and osteopathic medicine:

  • Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Research: Faculty and students conduct research on the effectiveness of OMM in treating musculoskeletal conditions, chronic pain, and other medical issues.
  • Rural Health Research: COMP-Northwest promotes research aimed at improving healthcare delivery in rural areas, with a focus on healthcare disparities, access to care, and preventive medicine.
  • Public Health Research: The school encourages students to engage in public health research, particularly in areas related to population health, epidemiology, and healthcare policy.

3. Oregon State University – Pre-Medical Programs

While Oregon State University (OSU) does not have its own medical school, it offers robust Pre-Medical Programs that prepare students for admission to medical schools and other healthcare professional programs. OSU’s strong emphasis on STEM education, research, and community service makes it an ideal choice for students pursuing careers in healthcare.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive Pre-Medical Curriculum: OSU provides students with a strong foundation in the sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, to prepare them for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and medical school admissions.
  • Research and Internship Opportunities: OSU offers numerous research and internship opportunities, helping pre-med students build a strong foundation for medical school applications.
  • Personalized Advising: OSU offers personalized advising through its Pre-Medical and Health Professions Program, helping students navigate the medical school application process, choose relevant coursework, and find clinical and research opportunities.

Degree Programs

  • Pre-Medical Studies: OSU’s pre-medical program offers a well-rounded education in the sciences, including biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, and genetics, all designed to meet the prerequisites for medical school.
  • Health Professions Programs: In addition to pre-medical studies, OSU offers tracks for students interested in other healthcare professions, such as dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy.
  • Biology and Biochemistry (BS): OSU offers majors in biology and biochemistry that prepare students for medical school and careers in healthcare research, with a focus on human health, disease mechanisms, and public health.

Clinical Experience

OSU pre-medical students gain clinical experience through a variety of partnerships with local healthcare providers and volunteer opportunities:

  • Samaritan Health Services: Offers students shadowing and internship opportunities in various specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine, and surgery.
  • Benton County Health Services: Provides students with volunteer and internship experiences in public health, primary care, and community health, particularly in underserved populations.
  • Local Clinics and Hospitals: OSU partners with healthcare providers across Oregon to offer students opportunities for shadowing, internships, and volunteer work, providing valuable clinical experience before medical school.
  • Global Health Internships: OSU offers opportunities for students to participate in global health internships, providing experience in healthcare delivery and public health in low-resource settings.

Research Opportunities

OSU is a leader in STEM education and offers numerous research opportunities for pre-medical students:

  • Biomedical Research: OSU provides research opportunities in fields such as molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, and biochemistry, focusing on understanding disease mechanisms and developing new treatments.
  • Public Health Research: OSU promotes research projects that address health disparities, public health, and healthcare access, particularly in underserved populations.
  • Interdisciplinary Research: The university encourages collaboration between students and faculty in the health sciences, engineering, and social sciences, allowing for interdisciplinary research that addresses complex healthcare challenges.

4. University of Portland – School of Nursing

The University of Portland offers a highly regarded School of Nursing, preparing students for careers in healthcare through a strong focus on patient-centered care, leadership, and community health. While the university does not offer a traditional medical degree, its nursing programs are designed to address the healthcare needs of Oregon’s diverse populations.

Key Features

  • Holistic Nursing Education: The University of Portland emphasizes a holistic approach to patient care, focusing on physical, emotional, and social well-being.
  • Community Health and Service: The School of Nursing is committed to serving underserved populations, with programs that emphasize community-based healthcare, public health, and leadership development.
  • Interdisciplinary Learning: The university fosters collaboration between nursing, public health, and other healthcare disciplines, preparing students to work as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.

Degree Programs

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A comprehensive undergraduate program that prepares students to become registered nurses (RNs), with a focus on clinical skills, patient-centered care, and leadership in nursing practice.
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): A terminal degree program that prepares advanced practice nurses for leadership roles in healthcare. The DNP program offers tracks for Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs).
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): A graduate program that prepares nurses for advanced roles in clinical practice, healthcare leadership, and nursing education.

Clinical Experience

The University of Portland nursing students gain clinical experience through a network of healthcare facilities across Oregon:

  • Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU): A primary clinical partner for the School of Nursing, offering students rotations in medical-surgical nursing, maternity care, critical care, and pediatrics.
  • Providence Health & Services: Provides students with clinical experience in primary care, chronic disease management, and preventive health, with a focus on serving underserved populations.
  • Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System: Offers students opportunities to care for veterans, focusing on chronic disease management, mental health, and geriatrics.
  • Community-Based Health Clinics: Nursing students complete clinical rotations in community health centers and public health clinics, focusing on primary care and public health for underserved populations.

Research Opportunities

The University of Portland School of Nursing supports research initiatives aimed at improving patient care, healthcare outcomes, and population health:

  • Nursing Research: Students engage in research focused on improving nursing practice, patient outcomes, and healthcare delivery, with projects addressing chronic disease management, mental health, and healthcare disparities.
  • Public Health Research: The university promotes research aimed at improving public health outcomes, particularly in underserved populations, with a focus on preventive care, health education, and healthcare access.
  • Interdisciplinary Health Research: The School of Nursing encourages collaboration between nursing, public health, and healthcare administration, fostering interdisciplinary research that addresses the complex challenges of healthcare delivery.

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