School ranks No. 1 on Planetary Health Report Card

The University of Minnesota School of Nursing received an A on the 2026 Planetary Health Report Card, ranking first place of the nursing schools that were graded.

The Planetary Health Report Card is a student-led, metric-based tool for evaluating and improving planetary health content in health professional schools.

The findings highlight the school’s curriculum, interdisciplinary research and support for student-led initiatives as particular strengths. 

"This year’s results underscore a powerful shift at the University of Minnesota. The School of Nursing’s continued No. 1 international ranking is the North Star, but the real story is the collaboration led by our interprofessional Health Students for a Healthy Climate,” says Angelica Walton, DNP, RN, CCRN, Planetary Health and Environmental Justice Center director. “By breaking down professional silos, these students are successfully expanding planetary health education into the Medical School, Dentistry and Health Administration.”

The School of Medicine ranked No. 6 this year, earning its first A grade, and the School of Dentistry and Healthcare Management & Administration were ranked for the first time this year.

Planetary Health Report Card authors from the School of Nursing include BSN student Yvonne Mongare, DNP student Tia Wackerhagen, DNP student Jenny Cline, and DNP student Christain Kotoucek.