In 1864, Toland Medical College opened its doors to train physicians, heal the sick and serve the rapidly expanding population of San Francisco. In 1873, when it joined the fledgling University of California system, the college changed its name but held steadfast to its mission. Today, the University of California, San Francisco system, dedicated exclusively to graduate study and professional training in the health sciences, is one of the world's premier centers for biomedical research, education and patient care. By any number of measures, the University of California, San Francisco has taken a leading role within the system.

• UCSF consistently ranks among the nation's top medical schools for federal research funding.
• Three UCSF scientists have received Nobel Prizes in the last decade.
• Over the last two decades, UCSF discoveries and inventions have seeded more than 60 biotechnology companies.
• The UCSF Medical Center is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 hospitals in the nation, according to U. S. News and World Report.
• In 14 of its specialties, UCSF ranks among the top 20 programs in the nation.
• UCSF Medical Center receives more than one million patient visits each year.
• UCSF ranks first among the nation's public medical schools and seventh among 125 accredited institutions overall, according to U. S. News and World Report and the Gourman Report: A Rating of Graduate and Professional Programs in American and International Universities.