The University of Virginia was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, whose dedication to the pursuit of knowledge began a tradition that continues today through national and international recognition of many of the University’s academic programs. Mr. Jefferson’s original concept of the University of Virginia was as an “ academical village” in which students and faculty lived and worked together, thus fostering a sense of community. That sense of community is one of the most prominent characteristics of the University today, and manifests itself as a friendly and cooperative learning and research environment within the School of Medicine and the University as a whole. The connectedness between the School of Medicine and other components of the University continues to be a hallmark of this institution today and results in optimization of the quality and breadth of educational opportunities available to our students.

The University is located in Charlottesville, Virginia on a beautiful campus nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The University is centered around the buildings and lawn originally designed by Jefferson. It is relatively small for a State University, enrolling fewer than 18,000 students. However, it is ranked among the best public institutions in this Country. The Health Sciences Center is an integral part of the main campus of the University of Virginia, allowing students and faculty easy access to the entire spectrum of academic, physical, and social resources available to the University community.