VCOM 2021 Annual Report

ONE COLLEGE, FOUR CAMPUSES

Making a Difference in the Physician Shortage

A national study in 2002 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

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 providers 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 69% of graduates going into primary care residencies and specialties, the plan for making a difference in the

future of primary care is becoming a reality.

the late Marion Bradley Via to benefit Virginia Tech and

474 new Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine entered their residencies with many in VCOM’s target states of greatest need for physicians.

The first class at VCOM-Auburn matriculates to its campus in Auburn Research Park. The inaugural class at VCOM-Carolinas graduates, resulting in 154 new physicians.

VCOM-Auburn graduates its first class of 154 students.

2012

2015

2018

2019

2020

2021

Auburn University administration learned of the success of the VCOM/Virginia Tech 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-Carolinas alumni are beginning to establish medical practices in the state.

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

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