By Duke Medicine News and Communications

DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke University School of Medicine is again among the the top medical schools as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

For the eighth consecutive year, Duke has been ranked among the top six research medical schools. In the April 10, 2006, edition of the magazine, Duke is ranked sixth.

For primary care, Duke remained in the sixth position.

The top 20 research medical schools this year are:

1. Harvard University

2. Johns Hopkins University

3. University of Pennsylvania

4. University of California -- San Francisco and Washington University (tied for 4th)

6. Duke University

7. Stanford University and University of Washington (tied for 7th)

9. Yale University

10. Baylor College of Medicine

11. Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, University of California -- Los Angeles and University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor (tied for 11th)

14. University of California -- San Diego

15. Cornell University

16. University of Pittsburgh

17. University of Chicago and Vanderbilt University (tied for 17th)

19. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center -- Dallas

20. Northwestern University and University of North Carolina -- Chapel Hill (tied for 20th)

The medical school directory lists the 125 medical schools fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, as well as the 19 schools of osteopathic medicine accredited by the American Osteopathic Association. The survey was conducted in the fall of 2005.

More information is available at www.usnews.com.