MD/PhD Program

The University of Louisville is emerging as a regional powerhouse for both basic and translational biomedical research. Groundbreaking work in artificial heart and hand transplantation has attracted world-wide attention. A wide variety of top-notch clinical experiences is available through partnerships with five hospitals within walking distance of the School of Medicine,at the Veterans Administration Medical  Center and in clinical settings across the state through Kentucky’s Area Health Education Centers. The University of Louisville School of Medicine is one of the fastest growing institutions in biomedical research, as measured by National Institutes of Health funding. Since 1999,more than 250,000 square feet of research space has been built, and an additional 300,000 square feet is under construction. This highly selective M.D./Ph.D. program ensures that trainees will receive individualized attention and training experience tailored to their goals and interests.

The School of Medicine has many strong programs in molecular medicine, including the use of stem cells to treat spinal cord damage; the application of genomic and microarray technology to the study of aging; innovation in bone marrow transplantation to combat various immunologic and malignant diseases and decrease rejection of organ transplants; cardiac preconditioning to decrease damage from myocardial infarctions; application of oligonucleotide-based antisense approaches to the treatment of contemporary biomedical research.

The upswing of disease-focused research at the University of Louisville has been fueled by increased support from NIH funding, an increasing endowment that is now in the top 25 for state universities, and the emphasis on enhancing postsecondary education by the state of Kentucky. For example, the $400 million Bucks for Brains program matches donor dollars to attract topnotch faculty to endowed chairs. These increases in federal, state, and philanthropic funding have enabled the university to nearly triple its expenditures on scientific research over the past few years.

In addition, the presence of multiple teaching hospitals accounting for over one thousand beds in the downtown medical center is a unique feature of the University of Louisville.