VCOM 2021 Annual Report

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

New Opportunities are Making a Difference This past year, the Harvey W. Peters Research Foundation brought Bluefield College and the Appalachian College of Pharmacy into the Foundation’s educational consortium as sister institutions to VCOM. The new alliance will further support the needs of Southwest Virginia. The addition of these institutions preserves their existence in this region and allows us to offer combined programs. The current Masters in Biomedical Sciences program offered through VCOM and Bluefield College gives students

knowledge that prepares them for medical school or other healthcare programs. This program is completed in only one year, while other schools have a two-year program. The Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACP) offers a traditional pharmacy school program condensed into three years by having its students attend summer sessions to save them significant time and expense. ACP plans to collaborate with VCOM to offer doctoral programs in research and public health. We remain proud to offer VCOM’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at an affordable tuition, with VCOM being ranked fifth in the “10 Least Expensive Private Medical Schools” by U.S. News & World Report. With our growing scholarship opportunities, VCOM’s students will be able to meet the Mission with fewer challenges. As chairman of VCOM’s board of directors, I want to thank all our members for sharing their expertise and working together on all four campuses to make a difference in medical education in the Southeast. ■

JOHN G. ROCOVICH JR., JD, LLM CHAIRMAN

W ith an increasing shortage of physicians and a record number of rural hospitals closing, the VCOM vision has continued to expand. Bringing with it a proven record of success, VCOM has opened its fourth campus in Monroe, Louisiana, to help bring physicians to rural areas in Louisiana and the Delta region. Consistent with the VCOM Mission, our graduates continue to bring quality healthcare to underserved populations and the deserving patients who reside there. With over 4,100 graduates to date and nearly 500 new graduates each year, the College is the largest source for primary care physicians in the Southeastern United States.

About 60 million people — nearly one in five Americans — live in rural areas and depend on their local hospitals for care. 20 rural hospitals closed in 2020. 13 of those were in the South, making it a record year for closures.

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