Ohio State University College of Medicine

The Ohio State University College of Medicine (formerly known as The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health) is the medical school at The Ohio State University and is located in Columbus, Ohio. The college is nationally recognized as a top institution in both education and research, as reflected by rankings in U.S. News & World Report,No. 28 (tie) in Best Medical Schools: Research. In 2023, its two primary teaching hospitals (The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital) were ranked as one of the best hospitals in the U.S. in 9 and 10 different specialties, respectively; and Nationwide Children's Hospital was named to U.S. News & World Report's select honor roll of U.S. Best Children's hospitals. History The OSU College of Medicine can trace its roots as far back as March 3, 1834, with the founding of the Willoughby University of Lake Erie in Willoughby, Ohio. Dr. Westel Willoughby (1789–1844), the school's namesake and first president, oversaw the operation of the school until 1843, when a disagreement among the faculty led to their resignation from the school. In 1847 the disgruntled faculty members started the Willoughby Medical College of Columbus in Columbus, Ohio, receiving a new charter from the Ohio Legislature on January 14, 1847. The inaugural student body consisted of 150 students, including dozens of medical students who had transferred from Willoughby University of Lake Erie. Almost immediately upon opening, the school was contacted by wealthy local business owner Lyne Starling, who offered $35,000 to construct a new hospital and school complex in Columbus. The concept of a hospital dedicated to teaching medical students was groundbreaking at the time.