VCOM 2020 Annual Report

THE FUTURE OF PRIMARY CARE

A Plan for the Future of Primary Care

A 2002 national study estimated a shortage of more than 100,000 physicians by 2020. After the leaders of the Harvey W. Peters Research Foundation studied the healthcare needs of Virginia and determined that there was an extreme healthcare deficiency in the southwest part of the state, the decision to establish the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) was made. Plans to establish the College moved forward under the leadership of John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM and his wife, Sue Ellen B. Rocovich, DO, PhD. Initially funded by the Harvey W. Peters Research Center, founded by

the late Marion Bradley Via to benefit Virginia Tech and southwest Virginia, VCOM is a non-profit, private 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Prior to establishing VCOM, the Harvey W. Peters Research Center benefited from contributions by Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Peters and substantial growth in its investment portfolio. Marion Bradley Via’s son, Edward Via, has been instrumental in funding this initiative. VCOM’s initial vision was to provide healthcare for the southwest and other medically underserved regions of Virginia and the greater Appalachian Region and to promote joint biomedical research with

Virginia Tech. As the need for physicians in North and South Carolina, Alabama and Louisiana became evident, the College started to grow to increase the numbers of osteopathic physicians who would someday become the primary care or specialists that were needed in the rural and medically underserved areas of the southeastern United States, especially the Appalachian and the Delta regions. The timeline below highlights some of the progress and expansion of VCOM. With 66% of graduates going into primary care residencies and specialties, the plan for the future of primary care is becoming a reality.

The first class at VCOM- Auburn matriculates to its campus in Auburn Research Park. The Inaugural class at VCOM-Carolinas graduates 154 physicians.

66% of VCOM graduates have entered primary care residencies and most will return to practice in areas where the need is greatest.

First class graduates 154 students at VCOM-Auburn.

2012

2018

2020

Future

2015

2019

Auburn University administration learned of the success of the VCOM/VT collaboration and formed a public/private collaboration with VCOM to open a medical school campus at Auburn University.

A collaborative public/private partnership agreement with University of Louisiana Monroe is signed. Ground broken for VCOM-Louisiana site.

VCOM-Louisiana accepts 150 students and is set to open to inaugural class of students. First virtual graduation is held across three campuses due to COVID-19 restrictions.

VCOM-Carolinas alumni are beginning to establish medical practices in the state.

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