VCOM 2021 Annual Report

OUTREACH

International Outreach Creating national and international healthcare leaders who will continue to make a difference A s part of our mission, medical education at VCOM provides experience for future physicians to participate in international medical outreach trips and clinical rotations. With four year-round medical clinics and hospital affiliations, educational affiliations with the Appalachian School of Pharmacy and the nursing program at Bluefield College and with other partners, the VCOM International clinic sites provide unique experiences. After March 2020, both national and international outreach programs were suspended on all campuses due to pandemic travel restrictions. VCOM continued to support the international clinics through student fundraisers, donations of supplies, bi-weekly Zoom video conference meetings and preparation of policy manuals and annual reports. The College is developing plans to restart international trips and rotations based on thorough analyses of each country’s conditions and related travel safety. If we can do so safely, our plans are to resume international one-week trips and clinical rotations starting in January of 2022. ■

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