VCOM 2019 Annual Report

MESSAGE FROM THE AUBURN DEAN Serving our Community ELIZABETH A. PALMAROZZI, DO, FACOFP

A n important step towards alleviating the physician shortage in Alabama and beyond will take place this May at VCOM-Auburn. In what seems like a blink, four years have sped by, and our inaugural class of 2019 will be graduating and moving on to their residencies. Though work to educate subsequent classes continues, this is a particularly special milestone for all of the people here on campus to reflect upon. In partnership with Auburn University, VCOM established the Auburn campus in 2015 to address a serious physician shortage in the state of Alabama. According to statistics, 60 of Alabama’s 67 counties suffer a shortage of primary care physicians. Additionally, Alabamians suffer from a higher than average rate of chronic conditions. The need in Alabama and beyond is obvious, and our purpose is clear. We are constantly working to recruit students from rural and underserved areas in hope that they will return home to serve their community and improve health outcomes. The dedication of our students can be seen throughout the Auburn/Opelika area in early clinical experiences, health fairs, free clinics, community education and while on rotations in local medical care facilities. Especially uplifting is the amount of work these busy medical students dedicate to local charitable organizations and efforts, including their commitment in working to assist the victims of the tornadoes that tore through Lee County on March 3, 2019. Community involvement is an important aspect of academics and student life at VCOM-Auburn.

153 Graduates in the

VCOM-Auburn Class of 2019

Only an estimated 73 % of Alabama’s current need for primary care physicians has been met

99 % of students in VCOM- Auburn’s inaugural class matched

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THE VCOM CAMPUSES