VCOM - 2019 Annual Report

Wythe-Bland Foundation Partners with VCOM to Establish the Physician Educator Retention Program P resident and Provost Dixie Tooke- Rawlins was pleased to announce in December that VCOM received an exciting grant from the Wythe-Bland

According to President Tooke-Rawlins, “This generous grant will give our graduates a unique opportunity to practice in this beautiful area of the state. At the same time, it will also increase access to primary care and enhance the quality of life for those living in Wythe and Bland counties.” For more information about the grant, please contact Ward Stevens, DHSc, Vice President for Academic Health Centers and Graduate Medical Education at 540-231-4374 or wstevens@vcom.vt.edu .

Foundation to establish the VCOM Physician Educator Retention Program. The $315,000 grant provides three VCOM graduates who establish a full-time practice in either Wythe or Bland county, Virginia up to $105,000. The funds are to be paid to each physician in three installments of $35,000 over three years. Physicians accepting the funds are required to serve as preceptors educating VCOM medical students and to also participate in VCOM community outreach activities that promote healthy behaviors and introduce area students to the health professions. Eligible VCOM graduates include current residents and fellows who complete their training in either summer 2018 or summer 2019. Commenting on the grant, Travis Jackson, Executive Director and CEO of the Wythe- Bland Foundation said, “We want this region to be one of the best places to live and work in the United States, and a high-quality medical work force is an essential part of that effort.” “We’re very impressed with the caliber of VCOM graduates and look forward to working with the College to attract new physicians to practice in the area,” Jackson added.

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