VCOM 2021 Annual Report

Tazewell Community Foundation and VCOM Announce Scholarship Program

T o help alleviate the need for primary care physicians in the region, the Tazewell Community Foundation has partnered with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) to make available a scholarship to a student who agrees to practice as a primary care physician and return to the region after graduation and residency. “Providing access to high-quality healthcare for the citizens of Tazewell County is one of our top priorities,” said Chris Wearmouth, President of the Tazewell Community Foundation. “Having access to primary healthcare results in lower

quality healthcare that they need and deserve,” added Wearmouth.

The Tazewell Community Foundation scholarship pays a portion of a student’s tuition and other living expenses while enrolled at VCOM. In return, the scholarship recipient commits to returning to practice primary care medicine in the Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital service area for a period of four years. The first recipient of the scholarship, Jordan Saunders, is a third-year medical student selected through an application and committee review process. Mr. Saunders grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, attended Virginia Tech and he and his wife have many family ties to Southwest Virginia.

“On rotation I always make it my goal to ask myself, ‘what do I need to learn from this rotation to be the most well-rounded family physician I can be.’ In rural communities where specialists are few and far between, we need more primary care physicians who are comfortable with caring for patients with complex medical backgrounds and medical issues.” —Jordan Saunders, VCOM-Virginia Class of 2022

In accepting the award, Jordan commented, “This is an excellent opportunity to make a difference in a medically underserved community and lessen some of the debt that accompanies a medical education. Throughout Southwest Virginia, there are many small towns and counties without easy access to medical care. During my clinical rotations,

healthcare spending and improved health outcomes. Partnering with VCOM further confirms the Tazewell Community Foundation’s long-term commitment to the citizens of Tazewell County in providing access to the

I witness first-hand many patients who drive an hour or longer to come to a clinic. My desire to practice rural medicine is to fulfill a real need in the community and to educate the public about the importance of preventive medicine.”

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