Florida State law, medical schools among nation’s Top 10 for Hispanics

Florida State University’s colleges of law and medicine are among the 10 best in the nation for Hispanics, according to Hispanic Business.

The College of Law was ranked fifth among the nation’s law schools, while the College of Medicine was ranked eighth among medical schools on the Hispanic Business 2013 Best Schools for Hispanics list.

“We’re pleased that Hispanic Business magazine has recognized Florida State University’s colleges of law and medicine as among the nation’s best for Hispanic students,” said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Garnett S. Stokes. “The recognition reflects the university’s commitment to excellence and our dedication to encouraging a diverse community where all of our students can succeed.”

Hispanic Business annually ranks the Top 10 graduate schools in four disciplines: business, law, engineering and medicine. The schools are ranked using criteria such as enrollment, faculty, reputation, retention rate and the use of progressive programs to recruit, support and mentor Hispanic students.

Hispanics made up 10.2 percent of the College of Law’s enrollment and received 34 of the 279 law degrees (12.2 percent) awarded to the Class of 2012. Of the college’s full-time faculty, 13.3 percent was Hispanic. This is the 10thyear in a row thatHispanic Businesshas named the College of Law one of the 10 best for Hispanics.

“We are all thrilled to once again be named in the Hispanic Business Top 10,” said College of Law Dean Don Weidner. “The Hispanic dimensions of our school make a more dynamic environment for everyone.”

At the College of Medicine, Hispanics made up 14.1 percent of the college’s student body and earned 17 of the 117 medical degrees (14.5 percent) awarded in 2012. Of the college’s full-time faculty, 3.2 percent was Hispanic.

Creating a diverse physician workforce for Florida’s diverse population is a top priority, said College of Medicine Dean John P. Fogarty.

“Recruiting outstanding students who are most likely to serve Florida’s communities, including rural and inner-city patients, is vitally important,”Fogarty said. “Our Hispanic Business ranking this year and in past years tells us that our efforts are paying off.”

The school’s six regional campuses have nearly 200 Hispanic clinical faculty members. Many students participate in global medical trips to Central America, while others do rotations in high-density Hispanic migrant-worker areas such as Immokalee, Fla. The school also offers conversational and medical Spanish classes as electives.