VCOM 2017 Annual Report

inspired about primary care

Elizabeth A. Palmarozzi, DO, FACOFP Dean for the Auburn Campus

O ur emphasis as osteopathic physicians and as educators at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is on primary care, or the day-to-day care of our patients. As osteopathic physicians, we realize and emphasize the importance of treating not just the symptom, but the whole person in mind, body and spirit. Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, pioneered the concept of “wellness” years ago, and it is a cornerstone of our mission as osteopathic physicians. Addressing the healthcare shortage in rural and underserved areas of the Appalachian region and southern states is an important part of our mission at VCOM. Primary care physicians are the first line of defense and are integral to managing chronic conditions, ensuring that patients avoid negative health outcomes. The critical need for primary care physicians is a national problem. A recent study by the American Association of Medical Colleges estimates a national shortfall of 14,000 to 35,000 primary care physicians in the United States by 2025. Sixty-eight percent of VCOM graduates have entered primary care residencies for specialties that are needed in the Appalachian region. The College strives to improve the delivery of healthcare and the overall health of the people in this region, holding true to the long-standing tradition of osteopathic physicians providing primary care for those most in need.

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