As a national leader in modern medical education, research, and workforce development, USF Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) offers today’s medical students a world-class education in a state-of-the-art building in downtown Tampa, Florida. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No.1 medical school in Florida and ranked among the top 16 research medical schools in the nation, MCOM has earned a coveted Tier 1 designation, which is the highest category awarded. This distinction underscores the college’s rapid rise as one of the most innovative and impactful institutions in American medical education.
The MCOM facility is a pillar of educational and research innovation, blending classroom and research lab layouts with advanced IT capabilities to support online lectures and small-group, problem-based, active learning that emphasizes clinical reasoning over memorization.
Advancing Education
Adapting its curriculum to meet the demands of the rapidly changing healthcare field, MCOM integrates AI into a curriculum mapping system to deliver a comprehensive, outcomes-based learning experience. The facility partnered with Microsoft to create the first-ever Microsoft Medical School of Innovation, which incorporates tech-enabled classrooms and collaboration tools throughout each learning environment. Among the Microsoft hardware in the building, there are several Surface Studios, as well as MS Teams in every space and classroom and Surface Hubs on mobile stands throughout the learning environment.
The MCOM facility’s mission to advance education is also seen in its partnerships with hospitals like Tampa General and Moffitt Cancer Center, with Tampa General Hospital having the busiest transplant program in the country and eight of the hospital’s specialties ranked in the top 50 nationally and three more in the top 10%. These collaborative learning experiences provide unparalleled clinical training opportunities to students.
Addressing Challenges in the Healthcare Industry
The nation is currently facing a shortage in physicians, with a 2024 report from the Association of American Medical Colleges stating that the country can expect to face a physician shortage of 86,000 by 2036. With this shortage likely to have significant implications for access to quality care for all Americans, MCOM aims to address the projected U.S. physician shortage by expanding programs and providing innovative training.
In response to the national physician shortage, the MCOM facility is advancing outcomes-based medical education to ensure students graduate better prepared to practice effectively in their communities. It also emphasizes interprofessional education (IPE), bringing together highly qualified health professionals from various disciplines to train, learn, and work collaboratively as members of a healthcare team, improving care coordination and patient outcomes. In 2024, 27% of MCOM’s graduating medical students matched with residency programs in Florida, while many others secured placements at top institutions across the country, from Yale to UCLA.
“We have a responsibility to prepare students not only to meet the growing demand for care, but to improve how that care is delivered,” said Dr. Charles J. Lockwood, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine. “That means training physicians who are as comfortable collaborating across disciplines as they are treating patients and who are ready to lead in a changing healthcare environment.”
Research Efforts
MCOM has experienced a rapid rise in national funding and research rankings, with the facility seeing a 67% increase in NIH awards and a 182% rise in overall research awards. The facility’s dedication to research excellence and growth in funding led to MCOM being named as the fastest-rising medical school in the country for research over a ten-year period according to US News and World Report in 2023.
A few examples of groundbreaking research at MCOM include a $28 million state-funded study on hyperbaric oxygen therapy for symptoms of traumatic brain injury in veterans, active duty, and reserve service members. Another project led by an OB-GYN researcher explores how space travel affects women’s health, particularly its impact on the reproductive system. Additional studies include an NIH-backed project using AI to help physicians detect disease through the sound of a patient’s voice, and a newly approved Parkinson’s disease treatment developed through a clinical trial that reduces the need for multiple daily doses.
Research participation is deeply embedded in MCOM’s culture, with more than 96% of students engaging in research projects alongside faculty. This early exposure not only strengthens their education but helps them compete for highly selective residencies in specialties such as orthopedics, neurosurgery, and dermatology.
MCOM is expanding its programs to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare system, introducing new initiatives in primary care, emergency medicine, and behavioral health, while growing its MD and PhD offerings. Students are encouraged to deepen their research training through optional gap years, reinforcing the college’s commitment to hands-on, future-ready education. In partnership with the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, MCOM is positioning itself as a life sciences epicenter in downtown Tampa, playing a vital role in improving health outcomes and strengthening the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
