Faculty and staff from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) gave lawmakers an update on the school’s mission and progress during day one of December interim meetings on Sunday evening at the Capitol.
President James Nemitz, along with WVSOM’s Associate Dean of Research and Sponsored Programs Dr. Dovenia Ponnoth, provided committee-members with an update regarding the school’s “strategic growth.” Don Smith, Associate Vice President of Government and External Relations, was also in attendance.
Nemitz noted that WVSOM employs numerous doctors who are recognized as experts in their field at both the national and international level.
“Our enrollment is strong,” Nemitz noted. “We have more than 4,000 applicants for 216 seats for our DO program. We are, in fact, the largest medical school in the state by the number of students. We have over 800 currently – we have 826 medical students at our school.”
At $23,950 per year, Nemitz added, WVSOM boasts the lowest in-state tuition cost for students.
Nemitz emphasized that WVSOM is accredited by two bodies: the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits all of the institutions of higher education in West Virginia, as well as the American Osteopathic Association’s Council on Accreditation.
Nemitz told the committee about a new nine-month Master’s program in Bio-Medical Sciences. According to Nemitz, the program is intended to help students who want to go to medical school, but don’t yet have the academic qualifications they need.
WVSOM enrolled 26 students in this new program last year, from which 24 graduated and 22 applied to the medical school. Twenty-one of them are now first-year medical students. Given the success of the new program, the school enrolled 47 students in the program this year, of which 30 are West Virginians, according to Nemitz.
Following Nemitz, Ponnoth briefed the committee, emphasizing a $35 million expansion of of the school’s research facilities.
The $35 million research facility expansion will see the Frederick W. Smith Science Building on WVSOM’s Lewisburg campus expanded and fully remodeled to offer students and research partners additional learning opportunities and work areas.
“This investment is fueling innovation and growth right in our communities,” Ponnoth said. “In recent months I have travelled extensively across West Virginia, and throughout the country. My goal has really been to listen to people, to hear what the needs and trends are in current research, and to explore possible partnerships for our school.
