VCOM 2016 Annual Report

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP President and Provost

W e have been following the trail of our Appalachian Mission since the founding of Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) over fifteen years ago. Throughout this time, VCOM has recruited from, provided training in, and returned qualified graduates to the southern Appalachian states. Many opportunities have connected us in this journey along the trail from Virginia, to North and South Carolina, and now to Alabama, positioning the College as a leader in primary care, rural medicine and global health. Our students have a proven record of success through outreach and hearts for service. With 66% of our graduates returning to practice in the region, our alumni are actually living the VCOM mission by bringing care to the medically underserved areas of southern Appalachia. Along this same trail, our faculty and student researchers, and our partners from major affiliate universities and hospitals are exploring pathways to bring better health to the patients of Appalachia. Access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare is vital to the social and economic development of the Appalachian Region. The dedication of our College to community-based medical education inspires our faculty, students and alumni to develop new methods in quality care, health promotion, disease prevention, and best practices providing a targeted approach to wellness and promoting preventive care. The VCOM Annual Report allows us to share our outcomes, efforts and accomplishments as we continue to grow and provide medical education and patient care in the southern Appalachian region. It is my hope that you will celebrate our success as VCOM continues on the trail of our Appalachian Mission, and as our College becomes the leading source of primary care physicians for the Appalachian region.

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