Stanford University's School of Medicine is second on the annual top ten list of medical schools that are best for Hispanic students, according to Hispanic Business magazine.

Stanford has been ranked either first or second by the magazine for four years in a row since the magazine began such rankings in 2005.

"Stanford had very high marks in all categories, from reputation to retention to enrollment and faculty," Michael Caplinger, research supervisor for the company that publishes the magazine, said.

"The school not only has a good representation of Hispanic students, it is making an effort to keep them and attract more."

"Recognition of success in the area of diversity by Hispanic Business magazine is important to the school," Fernando Mendoza, associate dean of minority advising and programs, said. "It demonstrates that, as judged by others, we are succeeding."

About 15 percent of the school's students, 69 out of 472, are Hispanic. And nine of the entering class of 68 students are Hispanic.

"Those of us recruiting medical students in California are still way behind the in the number Hispanic medical students needed to reflect statewide percentages," Mendoza said. California's Hispanic population of 36 percent of the total population is the largest of any state in the country.

"California is a place of great diversity," Mendoza said. "If we're going to provide efficient, effective care we have to have a diverse medical school class. We have to be more culturally sensitive and aware in California."

The medical school launched an effort in 1969 to increase diversity, Mendoza said.

-- Don Kazak