| Ross University School of Medicine | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1978 |
| Type | Medical School |
| President | Thomas C. Shepherd, D.H.A., F.A.C.H.E. |
| Dean | Joseph Flaherty , M.D. |
| Location | Picard, Dominica, Grand Bahama, Miami, Fl |
| Nickname | Ross |
| Website | http://www.rossu.edu/medical-school/ |
Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) is a private Caribbean medical school with campuses in Picard, Dominica, and Grand Bahama. A majority of the students who attend the school are from the United States and Canada. The admissions process is less stringent than that of U.S. medical schools; Ross accepts applicants with an average MCAT of 25,[1] while 31 is the average for U.S. based schools.[2] The tuition cost of RUSM is higher than the average public medical school in the US but less than the average of US private universities.[3][4][5]
The majority of Ross University students obtain their residency position through the National Residency Match Program (NRMP). Many obtain positions outside the Match; either having signed contracts with programs prior to the Match, or sometime after. Some graduates obtain residency through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) or through a specialty match, such as the San Francisco Matching Program. Residency appointments obtained via the NRMP Match typically account for 80% of all residencies. Normally about 20% obtained their residencies outside the formal matching program.[6]
The first four semesters of courses are spent at the campus on the island of Dominica, with an option to spend latter semesters at the newly constructed Bahamas campus. The fifth semester classes comprising "Advanced Introduction to Clinical Medicine" are held either in Roseau, Dominica, Saginaw, Michigan or Miramar, Florida.
The School of Medicine opened in 1978 and is part of Ross University, which also operates a School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts.
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Ross alumni are currently practicing in all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. As of June 2010, over 7,500 doctors had graduated from the school of medicine. In 2007, Ross students USMLE Step 1 first-time pass rate was greater than 92%. For Ross students with a GPA greater than 2.5, the USMLE first-time pass rate was 96.9%.[7] However, this pass rate is only for students cleared to sit for the exam by passing a comprehensive-Board like exam. The USMLE Step 1 first-time pass rate is considerably higher since the university's inception of changes over the past few years. The medical school now has pass rates exceeding 97% and 100% for students with a 2.5 GPA, respectively. This places Ross' graduates amongst the US LCME average.
After 30 years of graduating thousands of physicians, in July 2008 Ross University announced the opening of an expansion campus in Grand Bahama to accommodate the growing number of applicants.[8][9]
The School of Medicine enrolls classes three times a year: January, May, and September. Students complete their education on the island in four semesters and upon successful completion, students move onto a pre-clinical fifth semester in the United States. After completing the 5th semester, students sit for the USMLE Step 1 exam, and then continue on in clinical clerkships at one of the over 60 affiliated hospitals throughout the United States.[10] Upon completion of the curriculum, similar to that of US medical schools, students must pass the USMLE Step 2 CS and USMLE Step 2 CK, prior to graduation. It does not grant credit hours for classes spanning more than one semester.
Each member of the Ross University faculty holds an M.D., a Ph.D. degree, or both. Many are Board Certified in their specialties in the U.S., or are members of the Royal Colleges of the U.K.[11]
RUSM is recognized and accredited by the Dominica Medical Board.[12]
Ross is also accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP).[13]
Based on a 2004 site visit from the California Medical Board, graduates from Ross University are allowed to apply for medical licenses in California. The State of New York has also approved Ross University Graduates to apply for medical licenses.[14]