VCOM 2022 Annual Report

HOME BRINGING HEALTHCARE

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

The MISSION of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is to prepare globally-minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promote research to improve human health.

The healthcare shortage is an urgent issue, and it is growing. Addressing that need is at the heart of why we founded the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). We are committed to expanding community access to healthcare by educating physicians who will go on to serve rural and medically underserved communities in the Southeastern United States. More than that, we are recruiting students who come from these areas and preparing them to return to the communities they call home with the skills and knowledge they need to enhance community health in real and meaningful ways. Bringing Healthcare Home to the Southeastern United States

Our alumni truly are Bringing Healthcare Home.

Table of Contents 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

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Chairman and Deans 4 Students 26 Military 38 Programs of Study 44

Message from the President,

Research 76 Alumni 114 Giving 132 62 Outreach

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Bringing Healthcare Home

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP President and Provost

T wenty-one years ago the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) was founded to bring healthcare to rural and underserved areas of Southwest Virginia. In our amazing journey to educate outstanding osteopathic physicians, the regions we serve have grown to include four campuses across the Southeastern United States. The importance of the VCOMMission VCOM is committed to providing physicians who will meet the increasing needs of rural and medically underserved populations, with an emphasis on the Appalachian and Delta regions in the Southeastern United States. The College continues to recruit and admit the best and brightest students. Each year, more than 60% of students are from our target Appalachian and Delta states, and an additional 18% are from the bordering states. These states are experiencing primary care physician shortages, where patients have difficulty accessing physician care. In addition to our commitment to rural communities, VCOM continues to recruit under represented minority students to address the needs of the medically underserved minority populations. More than 14% of our students are from under-represented minority groups.

More than 4,500 graduates since 2007 In the years since VCOM was founded, we have had considerable progress in providing physicians where they are most needed. • VCOM’s total current enrollment includes 2,428 future physicians, spread across our four campuses. • VCOM is now one of the largest medical schools in the United States. • The Virgina campus has graduated 16 classes of osteopathic physicians. • The Carolinas campus has seen seven classes graduate. • Four classes have graduated from the Auburn campus. • Students in the Lousiana campus’s inaugural class just began their third-year clinical rotations after the school enrolled its first students in 2020. • Including all the graduating classes, VCOM now has a total of 4,574 graduates. Continued Successful Outcomes VCOM is pleased to have continued great outcomes for our graduates. With 99.8% of VCOM graduates matching to a residency and over 60% of those graduates matching to residencies in an Appalachian or Delta region, we are genuinely bringing healthcare home to these areas. Over 67% of VCOM graduates completed residency

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and practice in the target region. More than 60% of our graduates are in a community with a rural or medically underserved designation. We are proud of our graduates and their commitment to the VCOM mission. We are also proud of our military graduates. Since 2007, VCOM has had more than 331 VCOM graduates enter military service and provide world-class medical care for our country’s armed forces. Innovative Research In the past two years, our world has witnessed the importance of innovative medical research projects that have brought new treatments, pharmaceuticals and vaccines to patients. Our faculty, students and alumni have expanded and launched new research projects to address COVID-19 challenges and its unknown factors. Excellence in Eduction Each day, the entire VCOM family works together to provide medical education for our students, promote health in medical research and offer other medical care in our communities. Together the VCOM family, including faculty, students and graduates, are making a difference in the communities and regions we serve by living the mission and bringing healthcare home.

Top 10 rank for most graduates in Primary Care

Ranked among most graduates serving rural areas

Ranked among most graduates serving medically needy areas

 Find out more about VCOM graduates and residencies in the Alumni section on page 114.

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BRINGING HEALTHCARE HOME

Continuing the Vision

John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM Chairman

W hen VCOM was founded in 2001, our vision was to address the physician shortage in Southwestern Virginia. As the need continued to increase nationwide, VCOM expanded to the four campuses located in the Southeastern United States. The VCOM vision is more important today than ever to provide solutions to the healthcare professional shortage. In two years, when our Louisiana campus graduates its first class, our four campuses will add over 600 new osteopathic physicians each year. These physicians will fill It has been estimated that a rural primary care physician generates over $1.4 million in income (wages, salaries and benefits) through the clinics and hospitals in their communities. Although education is the key to an improved future, many undergraduate colleges are also closing their doors. To address the need for pharmacists, nurses and other vital healthcare workers, the Harvey W. Peters Research Foundation has included Bluefield University and the Appalachian College of Pharmacy in its essential roles, with nearly half going into health profession shortage areas (HPSA) in our target regions.

educational consortium as sister institutions to VCOM. The alliance and our affilated educational programs and degrees will further support the growing needs of our target region in the Southeastern United States. With student debt skyrocketing in the country, 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. One of our top priorities is growing scholarship opportunities so VCOM’s students can meet the Mission

The VCOM vision is more important today than ever to provide solutions to the healthcare professional shortage

with fewer economic challenges. VCOM’s administration is excelling in keeping the institution financially strong while providing the best medical education to its students. As chairman of VCOM, I want to recognize those on our board of directors, the campus advisory board members, and the College wide leadership for sharing their expertise and

working together on all four campuses to educate physicians who will “bring healthcare home.”

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John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM Chairman

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP President and Provost

James F. Wolfe, PhD President Emeritus (deceased October, 2022)

Thomas R. Brock Jr., MBA Representative, College-wide Board; General Electric, retired

Nick J. Bruno, PhD Representative, Louisiana Advisory Board; President, University of Louisiana Monroe, retired

Jimmy Gibbs Representative, Carolinas Advisory Board; Founder and Chairman of Gibbs International, Inc.

W. Bruce Hanks Representative, College-wide Board; Board of Directors, CenturyLink, Inc.

Roy E. Heaton, DO Representative, Virginia Advisory Board

Bruce Holstien President and CEO, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System

Gov. James C. Justice II, MBA Representative, College-wide Board; Governor of West Virginia

Elizabeth McClanahan, JD Representative, College-wide Board; Virginia Tech Foundation, retired Virginia Supreme Court Justice

Randal J. Kirk, JD Representative, College-wide Board; Chairman and CEO of Intrexon Corporation

Christopher Roberts, PhD Auburn Campus Representative; Auburn University President

Sue Ellen B. Rocovich, DO, PhD Secretary, College-wide Board

Jimmy Sanford Representative, Auburn Advisory Board; Auburn University Research Advisory Board

Raymond D. Smoot, PhD Finance Representative for the Board

Daniel A. Wubah, PhD Educational Advisor to the Board; President of Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Directors Emeritus The board wishes to thank its living past members for their valuable contributions to the success of the College. * Indicates founding member

William G. Anderson, DO* (also served on the Auburn Advisory Board)

James R. Bohland, PhD

Tim Boosinger, DVM, PhD

Neal Castagnoli Jr., PhD*

Donald L. Large Jr., PhD

Steven Leath, PhD Mark McNamee, PhD*

Jay Gogue, PhD

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BRINGING HEALTHCARE HOME

VCOM HISTORY

Bringing Physicians to our Home Communities T he decision to establish VCOM was made in 2001 after the leaders of the Harvey W. Peters Research Foundation studied the healthcare Growth of the College As the College grew into a successful institution of higher education, its leaders were inspired to confront the physician shortage in other areas of the Appalachian and Delta regions.

needs of Virginia and determined there was an extreme deficiency in the southwest part of the state. A national study estimated a shortage of 50,000 physicians by 2010 and shortage of more than 100,000 physicians by 2020. The need was evident, and plans to establish the College moved forward. VCOM is a non-profit, private 501(c)(3) charitable organization that is accredited to grant a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. The College was initially funded by the Harvey W. Peters Research Center, which was established by the late Marion Bradley Via to benefit Virginia Tech and southwest Virginia. Edward Via, the son of Marion Bradley Via, was instrumental in funding the initiative to establish a medical school to promote health and wellness in the area. Initially, VCOM’s vision was to provide healthcare for the southwest region of Virginia and throughout the southern Appalachian region, and to promote biomedical research in collaboration with Virginia Tech. VCOM-Virginia first opened its doors to the inaugural class of medical students in 2003, graduating its first class in 2007.

In 2010, after several years of clinical partnership with Spartanburg Regional Health System and building relationships in the community, VCOM founded a second campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The first students began their medical education at VCOM-Carolinas in the fall of 2011, and graduated in 2015. In 2011, Auburn University administration saw the need for rural physicians and primary care in their state and worked together with VCOM to establish a new campus partnership. In 2015, the inaugural class at VCOM-Auburn began its medical education and graduated in 2019. Leaders of the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) had been actively seeking options to establish a medical school in Monroe. In 2018, VCOM received approvals to enter into a collaborative agreement with ULM. The campus matriculated its first class in the fall of 2020, and that class has now begun their third-year clinical rotations.

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In Memory of Founding President James Wolfe J ames (Jim) F. Wolfe, PhD , founding president and president emeritus of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) passed away peacefully in his sleep at age 86 on Thursday, October 20, 2022. department for nine years and vice provost of the University for more than five years. As vice provost, Jim directed the offices of admissions, financial aid and university registrar and oversaw academic program resource assignments and faculty appointments for 1,500

faculty and administrators in the nine colleges of the University. He also acted as chief deputy for the provost and, when appropriate, for the president. He was a professor emeritus of chemistry and presided as the co-director Study of Parkinson’s Disease and Disorders of the Central Nervous System, a privately endowed research center housed in the Department of Chemistry. of the Harvey W. Peters Research Center for the

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; his son, John; his daughter, Carolyn; and five grandchildren: Sawyer, Thomas, Niklas, Hayden and Carson.

Jim was the ultimate storyteller, embodying

kindness, a keen intellect and a love for his job and the projects in which he was involved. He was always ready to talk in detail about his amazing family, his passion for golf and his love of Virginia Tech sports.

Jim had over 65 peer reviewed publications related to his research and scholarly work in chemistry and published three books. He has served as principal investigator on several federally sponsored research projects, including projects funded by NIH, NSF, and NASA. He served on several committees for the American Chemical Society and was Virginia Tech’s delegate to the National Council for Chemical Research. Jim served on the NSF-NRC Postdoctoral Fellowship Selection Committee and received an NIH fellowship at Indiana University. He was session chair at approximately 30 regional and national professional meetings. Jim received his BS in chemistry at Lebanon Valley College and his PhD in chemistry from Indiana University. It was Maya Angelou who said “If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” Jim left behind a profound legacy than cannot be erased, and the world is richer for it.

Jim was once asked if he had a particular favorite experience from his time at VCOM, and he answered, “It’s been an almost daily collection of favorite experiences, so I can’t say it’s been just one. I’m just thankful to have been a part of it.” Jim assumed the position of president in January 2001 and led the College through its initial stages of development and growth, including the opening of the Carolina campus of VCOM in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 2011 and the opening of the Alabama campus in conjunction with Auburn University in 2015. After his retirement in 2015, he continued to serve VCOM as an active board member and held president emeritus status. Prior to his leadership role at VCOM, Jim’s career spanned 32 years at Virginia Tech. While at Virginia Tech, he served as chair of the chemistry

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BRINGING HEALTHCARE HOME

Our Campus Home VCOM-VIRGINIA

Where Our Current Students Come From: Top Virginia Colleges and Universities College Number of Students Virginia Tech 136 University of Virginia 63 Virginia Commonwealth University 56 George Mason University 39 Other 39 Christopher Newport University 32 College of William and Mary 27 James Madison University 27 Liberty University 12 Bluefield College 11 Old Dominion University 10 University of Richmond 9 Radford University 6

169 NEW PHYSICIANS graduated in the Class of 2022

725 CURRENT STUDENTS attending VCOM-Virginia

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VCOM Alumni Impact upon Virginia Osteopathic Physician Growth

187 % Increase in DOs in Virginia

2,000

VCOM Alumni

Non-VCOM Osteopathic Physicians

1,500

1,000

500

Total Active Practicing Physicians

0

2009 2010 2011

2012 2013

2014

2015

2016 2017

2018

2019

2020 2021

Percentage of Alumni Practicing in Virginia’s Medically Underserved Areas by Medical School

30%

20%

10%

0

2011 Percentage of Physicians (DO/MD) 2012 2013 2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Eastern Virginia Medical School

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Tech - Carilion

University of Virginia

Data Analysis performed by the National Center for the Analysis of Healthcare Data, October 2022

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Fulfilling our Mission

Jan M. Willcox, DO, FACOFP-dist. Virginia Campus Dean

A s we welcome our 20th class of incoming students, VCOM-Virginia can proudly say we are bringing healthcare home. Our campus has recruited and trained more than 2,700 physicians since 2001, many of whom are fulfilling our mission to return students to underserved populations. Over 40% of these graduates are practicing in rural or medically underserved areas in Virginia. We continue to also recruit students from our target service area of rural southern Appalachia. In fact, out of the 184 members of the class of 2026, 158 come from Appalachian states including 86 from a Health Profession Shortage Area (HPSA). We are confident that many of these students will return to these areas after graduation and continue our transformative success. I am also thrilled to report that the percentage of VCOM-Virginia students practicing in our area in relation to the medical school graduates in Virginia continues to climb. We are clearly delivering on our promise. And this training cycle comes full circle as more than 120 of our Virginia campus alumni have returned to our clinical training sites or campuses to provide educational experiences for our students from their first year of medical school through residency. On the following pages, you will see firsthand the impact our students are making and read the stories and accomplishments that help define and cement our legacy.

As dean of the Virginia campus of VCOM, I have seen so many talented and compassionate students come through our doors. While I always miss them once they graduate, I am proud to see them leave knowing with confidence they are and will be exceptional physicians. This confidence comes from the empathy and stewardship VCOM engrains in our curriculum, instilling a sense of duty and pride in fulfilling the VCOM Mission. Our students are uniquely qualified to meet the specific challenges of medically underserved areas. The past three first-year classes from our Virginia campus have voluntarily achieved 100% participation in naloxone (Narcan ® ) training prior to their White Coat Ceremony. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, is the only medication available to treat opioid overdose, an epidemic that directly affects the populations we aspire to protect and serve. I am so proud of our students and their commitment to improving overdose outcomes. We will continue to be a leader in bringing healthcare home to underserved areas that need it most. We will continue to deliver on our pledge. We will continue to strive for excellence, compassion and integrity. I am honored and proud to be the dean of the VCOM-Virginia campus and to work with our staff, faculty, and students which make our college a world leader in medical education for rural and underserved areas.

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2021-2022

John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM Chairman

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP President and Provost

Jan M. Willcox, DO, FACOFP Dean, VCOM-Virginia (ex officio)

James F. Wolfe, PhD President Emeritus (deceased)

Thomas R. Brock Jr., MBA Representative, College-wide Board; General Electric, retired

Alan Fabian, CEO Chief Executive Officer at LewisGale Hospital - Montgomery (HCA, Inc.)

Roy E. Heaton, DO Representative, Virginia Advisory Board

David Olive, PhD Bluefield University President

Bill Flattery, CEO Vice President Carilion Clinic Western Region, CEO of Carilion New River Valley Medical Center

Carole Pratt, DDS Senior Advisor Virginia Department of Health

Sherry Penland Ismatov, DO Representative from the VCOM Virginia Alumni Association

At the heart of downtown Blacksburg, Virginia, lies the picturesque and inviting College Avenue Promenade, a lively pedestrian mall where the town meets the Virginia Tech campus. The promenade features inviting outdoor gathering spaces, and incredible shopping, dining and entertainment.

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VCOM-CAROLINAS Our Campus Home

Where Our Current Students Come From: Top Carolinas Colleges and Universities College Number of Students North Carolina University of North Carolina 53 Other 27 North Carolina State University 21 Appalachian State University 19 East Carolina University 15 Wake Forest University 10 Wingate University 8 Meredith College 6 Western Carolina University 5 South Carolina University of South Carolina 54 Clemson University 50 Other 32 Furman University 13 College of Charleston 10 Wofford College 9 Anderson University 6 Coastal Carolina University 6

159 NEW PHYSICIANS graduated in the Class of 2022

626 CURRENT STUDENTS attending VCOM-Carolinas

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VCOM Alumni Impact upon South Carolina Osteopathic Physician Growth

306 % Increase in DOs in South Carolina

1,200

VCOM Alumni

1,000

Non-VCOM Osteopathic Physicians

800

600

400

200

Total Active Participating Physicians

0

2009 2010

2011

2012 2013

2014

2015 2016 2017

2018

2019

2020 2021

Percentage of Alumni Practicing in NC and SC Medically Underserved Areas by Medical School

North Carolina

South Carolina

20%

15%

15%

10%

10%

5%

5%

0

0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

University of South Carolina Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Percentage of Physicians (DO/MD)

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Eastern Carolina University

University of North Carolina

Medical University of South Carolina

Wake Forest

Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Duke University

Data Analysis performed by the National Center for the Analysis of Healthcare Data, Oct. 2022

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Meeting Challenges Head-On Matthew D. Cannon, DO Carolinas Campus Dean T here is a common phrase “the days are long, but the years are short.” Back in 2010, VCOM chose to open a second campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina, because of the dire need for primary care physicians in the Carolinas. The problem was not only very real at the time but also getting progressively worse. VCOM’s mission to train globally minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved areas was precisely what the Carolinas needed. It seems like just yesterday that this plan was set into motion. Some of the days have been long as it takes a band of dedicated, passionate team members who are “all-in” on this process

the epitome of “bringing healthcare home.” This outstanding success is achieved not by words, but rather by action. During the COVID pandemic, VCOM-Carolinas accepted the challenges we faced and met them head-on. The College mobile medical unit, equipped with COVID vaccines as well as all standard vaccines for school-aged children, took these potentially life-saving immunizations to where those in need were: in rural towns, underserved communities and any of the other locations where a need arose. We also set up a COVID vaccine clinic across from campus and administered thousands of vaccines to those who desired them. In addition to COVID efforts, we partnered with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental

to achieve the results that VCOM has accomplished. But through it all, the years have been short as VCOM graduated its first class in 2015 and has since celebrated eight graduation ceremonies.

VCOM has more alumni in South Carolina primary care residencies than all three other South Carolina medical schools combined.

Currently, VCOM-Carolinas has 333 board certified physicians practicing in South Carolina and 84 practicing in North Carolina. Considering that three years is the minimum amount of time a graduate must spend in residency, these numbers are even more impressive. And it doesn’t stop there; VCOM has more alumni in South Carolina primary care residencies than all three other South Carolina medical schools combined. This is

Services to address numerous other medical issues threatening the well-being of rural and medically underserved communities, earning VCOM the state’s “Community Hero Award.” Our passion never rests as we continually seek the next task, the next challenge, the next victory. It is with confidence and conviction that I truly believe the best is yet to come.

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2021-2022

John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM Chairman

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP President and Provost

Matthew D. Cannon, DO Dean, VCOM-Carolinas (ex officio)

Graham Adams, PhD CEO, South Carolina Office of Rural Health

Ingo Angermeier Retired President and CEO, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System

William Barnet III CEO of William Barnet & Son, Inc. DuPre House Board

Jimmy Gibbs Founder and Chairman of Gibbs International, Inc.

Jason Hill, DO Representative from the VCOM Carolinas Alumni Association

Bruce Holstien President and CEO, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System

Marlon Hunter CEO of ReGenesis Health Care

Hugh C. Tappan, MHA, MBA President of HCA Healthcare’s South Atlantic Division

A. Alan Turfe, MBA Consultant to Thomas H. Lee Partners

Morgan Square in the heart of downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina where Music on Main takes place. The area was closed to traffic during COVID restrictions, but since then the entire block has been converted to a permanent space for outdoor dining and entertainment.

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VCOM-AUBURN Our Campus Home

Where Our Current Students Come From: Top Alabama Colleges and Universities College Number of Students Auburn University 91 University of Alabama 71 Other 24 Troy University 22 University of South Alabama 16 Samford University 9 Jacksonville State University 7

156 NEW PHYSICIANS graduated in the Class of 2022

615 CURRENT STUDENTS attending VCOM-Auburn

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Home Locations VCOM-Auburn Classes 2019-2026

Auburn Campus Home Location Analysis

54% Come from a Rural Area (population under 30,000) 88% Come from a Medically Underserved Area including Primary Care Health Professions Shortage Areas (PC HPSA) VCOM-Auburn Students from Alabama 60% 80% VCOM-Auburn Students from FL, GA, MS Come from a Rural Area (population under 30,000) Come from a Medically Underserved Area including Primary Care Health Professions Shortage Areas (PC HPSA)

VCOM-Auburn Auburn Campus Home Locations

Percentage of Alumni Practicing in Alabama’s Underserved Areas by Medical School

30%

20%

10%

0

2011 Percentage of Physicians (DO/MD) 2012 2013 2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

University of Alabama School of Medicine

University of South Alabama College of Medicine

Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

Data Analysis performed by the National Center for the Analysis of Healthcare Data, October 2022

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Taking Root in Local Communities

Heath Parker, DO Auburn Campus Dean

T he vision that brought the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine to the Auburn University (AU) Campus is finally bearing fruit. Physicians from the first VCOM-Auburn graduating class in 2019 are emerging from residency and taking root in local communities, helping to alleviate the primary care shortfall. As an example, it was recently announced that two Class of 2019 graduates, Andrew Wilkins, DO, and Mallory Waller Willis, DO, have begun their practices with East Alabama Medical Center in nearby Opelika. It is a joyous accomplishment to see VCOM-Auburn alumni begin their practices and make a difference in the lives of Alabama’s citizens and beyond. Anticipated collaborative research and educational efforts were another important part of the initial vision that brought VCOM-Auburn to the AU campus. Our faculty work alongside their peers at AU on various collaborative research projects, along with shared educational opportunities. VCOM has ongoing partnerships with the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Harrison College of Pharmacy, the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, the College of Nursing, the School of Kinesiology and others. These partnerships promote efforts like anti-cancer vaccine research with the College of Veterinary Medicine, urinary tract biosensor infection detection research with the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and a Culinary Medicine curriculum that was developed with the College

of Nursing. This past year, VCOM-Auburn and the Harrison College of Pharmacy strengthened ties by creating the Auburn-VCOM Institute for Clinical Research, a collaboration that seeks to advance clinical research. This institute will support and nurture large-scale faculty research efforts through training, networking, mentoring and information dissemination. Another important partnership with the University includes the VCOM-Auburn Sports Medicine Fellowship program. This one-year fellowship program is an outstanding opportunity that allows physicians to care for Division I athletes, engage in research and teach medical students, while honing their sports medicine diagnostic and treatment skills. VCOM-Auburn is honored to partner with numerous community volunteer organizations to provide health screenings for citizens and assist with efforts to help those in need. We are especially grateful for our healthcare partners throughout Alabama and the Southeast. They are a critical part of our student learning process. Serving as dean of the Auburn campus is the greatest privilege of my life and I am proud to be a part of the VCOM-Auburn family. In this endeavor, we are so thankful for our partners. Know that we are focused on and passionate about fulfilling our mission in Auburn, throughout Alabama and beyond.

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2021-2022

John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM Chairman

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP President and Provost

Heath Parker, DO Dean, VCOM-Auburn (ex officio)

Mark Baker CEO, Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital

Martin J. Bonick CEO, PhyMed Healthcare Group

Laura Grill President and CEO East Alabama Medical Center

L. Keith Granger Regional President and Market CEO, CHS - Alabama

Bill Hardgrace, PhD Provost, Auburn University

Jimmy Sanford Auburn University Trustee

David Thrasher, MD Pulmonary Medicine, Jackson Hospital

Director Emeritus VCOM and the Auburn Advisory Board wish to thank Dr. Anderson for his valuable contributions to the success of the College.

The famous Toomer’s Corner is in the heart of the City of Auburn, Alabama. Toomer’s Drugs has been a landmark since 1896 at the union of campus and city life. Toomer’s Corner is the destination for countless thousands of revelers who engage in the long-standing tradition of “rolling Toomer’s Corner;” a celebration occurring after every significant Auburn University sports victory.

William G. Anderson, DO Founding Board Member-VCOM, Founding Auburn Advisory Board Member

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VCOM-LOUISIANA Our Campus Home

Where Our Current Students Come From: Top Louisiana Colleges and Universities College Number of Students University of Louisiana 26 Louisiana State University 25 Louisiana Tech University 20 Other 13 McNeese State University 10 Xavier University of Louisiana 10 Tulane University 8 University of New Orleans 7

159 FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS attending VCOM-Louisiana

461 CURRENT STUDENTS attending VCOM-Louisiana

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Home Locations VCOM-Louisiana Classes 2024-2026

Louisiana Campus Home Location Analysis

88% 92% Come from a Medically Underserved Area including Primary Care Health Professions Shortage Areas (PC HPSA) VCOM-LC Students from Louisiana 53% 80% Come from a Medically Underserved Area including Primary Care Health Professions Shortage Areas (PC HPSA) VCOM-LC Students from FL, GA, MS Come from a Rural Area (population under 30,000) Come from a Rural Area (population under 30,000)

VCOM-Louisiana Louisiana Campus Home Locations

Data Analysis performed by the National Center for the Analysis of Healthcare Data, October 2022

Louisiana Physician Shortage and Community Impact:  Over 60% of VCOM graduates practice in rural or medically underserved counties or parishes.  Ouachita Parish is currently designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area by the National Health Service Corps, as are the surrounding parishes.

 According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the U.S. could see an estimated shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, including shortfalls in primary care.  According to the National Center for Rural Health Works in 2016, a rural primary care physician practicing in a community with a local hospital creates 26.3 local jobs and nearly $1.4 million in income.

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BRINGING HEALTHCARE HOME

Preparing Globally and Community Focused Physicians

Mark Sanders, DO, JD, MPH, LLM, MS, FACOFP Louisiana Campus Dean

O ur inaugural class of students, now in their third year, began clinical rotations this fall. Their rotations include time spent with hospitals in rural areas. Our students have the opportunity to work in hospitals in the Louisiana Rural Health Coalition. This important organization has development funding for loan repayment for physicians who commit to working in rural Louisiana providing medical care to this underserved population, while allowing

Mayor Ellis converted an event room in the Civic Center to a teaching room, where we held some small group learning activities on-site, taught by Dr. Langley and me. We collaborated with the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) pharmacy and nursing schools to provide intakes, assess medical needs, write prescriptions and facilitate medical visits for the people displaced from some of the hardest hit areas in Southeast Louisiana. VCOM worked with CVS Pharmacy, the Federal Emergency

physicians to successfully manage their student loans.

Within 30 minutes of receiving a request for assistance at the Civic Center, we had student volunteer time slots full.

St. Francis Medical Center, located in Monroe, Louisiana, received approval for their

internal medicine residency program, where Dr. Andy Langley, associate dean for clinical affairs and discipline chair for internal medicine at VCOM-Louisiana, serves as program director and trains future IM residency leadership. This is one of many future residency programs within Monroe and Louisiana. Hurricane Ida impacted southern Louisiana on August 29, 2021. While Monroe was not directly hit, we did have several thousand evacuees transported into our area. Faculty, staff and students quickly responded to help at the shelters. Within 30 minutes of receiving a request for assistance at the Civic Center, we had student volunteer time slots full.

Management Agency (FEMA) pharmacy contractor, to develop a same-day medication delivery system, which prevented sending many people to the hospital. Our relief efforts could not have succeeded if not for the support of the VCOM provost and board of directors. We are hopeful that the remainder of this year will provide fewer disasters. Still, VCOM Louisiana stands ready to continue to meet our mission to prepare globally-minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promote research to improve human health.

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2021-2022

John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM Chairman

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP President and Provost

Mark Sanders, DO Dean, VCOM-Louisiana (ex officio)

Ray Morrison, DO, FACOS Associate Vice President for College Development and Advancement in the Louisiana Region, Dean Emeritus

Ron Berry President of the University of Louisiana Monroe

Nick J. Bruno, Phd Representative, Louisiana Advisory Board; President, University of Louisiana Monroe, retired

Scott McDonald Market President for Citizens Progressive Bank

Randy Morris Administrator/Owner, West Carroll Health Systems; Chairman of the Board, Rural Hospital Coalition

W. Bruce Hanks Representative, College-wide Board; Board of Directors, CenturyLink, Inc.

P. Gary Jones, MD CEO, Chief Medical Officer, Vantage Health Plan & Affinity Health Group

Ed Williams Executive Director, Louisiana Osteopathic Medical Association

Kristin Wolkart President and CEO, St. Francis Medical Center

Monroe is the largest city in Northeast Louisiana, and along with its sister city, West Monroe, it is the hub of cultural activity in this part of the state. Monroe is best known for its museums, cultural attractions and numerous restaurants downtown and on the Ouachita riverfront.

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Students 27

2,428 Future VCOM Physicians (Classes of 2023-2026 Pictured at the right)

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4,574 VCOM Alumni Physicians

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VCOM’s target regions for recruiting students from and returning students to: Target Appalachian region Target Delta region Target states with primary and rural medicine shortages VCOM campus locations

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VCOM's Target Recruitment Region

A s part of VCOM’s successful and returns skillful physicians to provide care in medically underserved areas with a focus on those in the Southern Appalachian region, Delta region and Southeastern United States. With four campuses, VCOM is the largest source providing physicians to these regions. Yet, VCOM maintains the nurturing small private college feel for the student. The VCOMMission The entire VCOM family has one common mission: to graduate community-focused, globally-minded osteopathic physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved areas and to provide research to improve human health. This Mission is the heart and soul of VCOM, and is seen in all of our students and our community and international outreach programs. commitment to lessen the shortage of physicians, the College recruits students from, provides training in

High-Quality Standardized Curriculum VCOM's four campuses work together to provide the same state-of-the-art high quality standardized curriculum, policies and educational opportunities to provide the best medical education for all students at any campus. Making sure VCOM students are academically successful is one of the College’s highest concerns. Educating in Our Communities The College is positioned to educate and train students in the regions where they may someday practice; some of the greatest physician shortages are in the South. The College partners with many community-based hospitals throughout its target regions. The clinical program at VCOM is highly structured with core hospitals and a well-developed program for a continuum of medical education. In addition, VCOM works with hospitals to ensure our graduates have many options for their residency programs.

Student and Alumni Home Locations Classes of 2007-2026

87 % 86 % 91 % 52 % from a Rural Area

of all VCOM students come from the Target Region with 24% of all students from communities of under 10,000 and 47% from communities under 30,000. from an Medically Underserved Area This area is comprised of both Medically Underserved and Primary Care Health Professions Shortage Areas (PC HPSA). from an Appalachian State or Delta Region

A Rural Area is comprised of communities with a population of 30,000 or less.

Data analysis provided by the National Center for the Analysis of Healthcare Data, November 2022.

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STUDENTS

About Our Students

Matriculated Students by GENDER Classes of 2022-2025 55 % 45 % MALE medical students

VCOMMatriculant GPA Averages Classes of 2022-2025 Average GPA 3.7 Percentage of Students

with Overall GPA Ranging 3.6-4.0

VCOM has FEMALE medical students 2,428 CURRENT STUDENTS at all four campuses

64% 3.64

Average Science GPA Percentage of Students with Science GPA Ranging 3.6-4.0

For the Class of 2025, VCOM had more than 9,967 UNIQUE APPLICANTS across all campuses

51%

Applicants to VCOM Campuses Class of 2025 More than 18,000 applications from 9967 unique applicants

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Community Recruitment

47 % of current students are from COMMUNITIES UNDER 30,000

Matriculated Students by Community Size Classes of 2022-2025

Student Diversity

14 % Average for UNDER-REPRESENTED MINORITIES in the Classes of 2022-2025

Matriculated Students by RACE Classes of 2021-2024

Recognitions for Diversity

Named as a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award recipient by "INSIGHT into Diversity". Recognized for over nine consecutive years by Minority Access, Inc. as an Institutional Role Model for Diversity.

Health Professions

® Top Colleges for Diversity 2022

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Student Success

A Curriculum Designed for Success V COM’s carefully curated block-style curriculum explores each body system to highlight the core areas of medicine. Students are introduced to and led through clinical experiences by faculty. Through hands-on training, students develop valuable communication skills by engaging with the communities they will impact. In the third year, students move through 10 core clinical rotations at College-affiliated hospitals and practices. This gives them a close-up look at the inner workings of medical practices. In the fourth year, they choose specific rotation sites and specialties that are of interest to them. This enables students to get a clear idea of their future career paths. Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) is a three-level, national standardized licensure examination designed for the practice of osteopathic medicine. The COMLEX Examination Series is designed to assess osteopathic medical knowledge, fluency, clinical skills and other competencies essential for practice as an osteopathic physician. It is also a graduation requirement for attaining a DO degree from colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States, and for entry into and promotion within graduate medical education (residency) training programs. 4.2 % ATTRITION RATE across all VCOM campuses for Classes of 2007-2021 What is the COMLEX? Administered by the National Board of

COMLEX LEVEL 1

COMLEX LEVEL 2 CE COMLEX LEVEL 3 97-98 % of graduates during the 2020-2021 cycle PASSED THEIR FIRST ATTEMPT Across all campuses the Classes of 2020-2023 performed ABOVE THE 4 YEAR AVERAGE NATIONAL MEAN 97-98 % of the Class of 2022 across all campuses PASSED their first attempt Across all campuses the Classes of 2020-2023 performed ABOVE THE 4 YEAR AVERAGE NATIONAL MEAN Across all campuses the Class of 2023 performed ABOVE THE NATIONAL 1ST TIME PASS RATE

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Mind, Body and Spirit T he first tenet of Osteopathic Medicine expresses that the body is a unit and a person is a unit of body, mind and spirit. VCOM uses this tenet as a model for campus life and works to care for each part of a person. VCOM students begin with a desire to help others. Through the College curriculum, outreach endeavors, student organizations and clinical training, students discover a lifelong mission of service. There are many opportunities for students to engage with their classmates outside of the classroom through study groups and student organizations. Each campus is equipped with a patio and a café lounge that allow the VCOM family to gather. Each campus promotes a healthy mind, body and spirit through the Via Wellness program. Via Wellness provides enrichment to campus life through a wide variety of sports, fitness and exercise, and social, cultural and spiritual events. Students, faculty, staff and their family members are welcome to participate in all Via Wellness activities. VCOM encourages its students to stay active and live a healthy lifestyle. Some campuses participate in the VCOM Olympics, an active outdoor competition between the first- and second-year students. Student organizations benefit not only the community and region but also the students. Members of these student organizations gain valuable knowledge, skills and experience. Students are encouraged to learn about all organizations and committees and to participate in those that will advance their career and personal interests as well as serve the community.

 Go to www.vcom.edu/students/campus-life to see a list of VCOM Student Organizations.

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STUDENTS

Residency Match Class of 2022

All VCOM campuses matched greater than 99.5 % on the final match for the Class of 2022

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 Read more about our alumni and residency information on page 116.

 See our students' residency locations and information using our interactive map! Go to: www.vcom.edu/residency-match

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STUDENTS

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Military

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Preparing Globally and Community Focused Physicians

VCOM and Our Military

By Mark Sanders, JD, MPH, LLM, MS, FACOFP Louisiana Campus Dean

The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) U.S. Military branches offer a service scholarship to medical school students who desire to serve their country as physicians. If accepted, students receive full coverage of all tuition/fee charges, a monthly stipend and reimbursement of health insurance costs and other related school expenses. After graduation, the physicians repay the scholarship by working one year in the branch of service they were accepted into for each year they received the scholarship. (Additional minimum service obligations may apply). VCOM graduates include on average 35 to 50 physicians who enter military service each year. Partnering with SOUTHCOM In February 2022, VCOM signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to partner with the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to support bringing much-needed humanitarian medical care to populations in remote areas and in areas of most need in the Latin American and Caribbean regions. SOUTHCOM Command Surgeon Navy Capt. Christine L. Sears noted that VCOM’s permanent medical teaching clinics in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and El Salvador demonstrate VCOM’s commitment to global health and community-based medicine and align well with SOUTHCOM’s Enduring Promise initiative to serve and support its partners in the region.

Serving Aboard the USNS Comfort The USNS Comfort is a 1,000 bed hospital ship out of Norfolk, Virginia, commissioned in 1986. Along with USNS Mercy, Comfort provides floating, mobile, acute surgical medical facilities when called upon for the U.S. military, and hospital services to support U.S. disaster relief and humanitarian operations worldwide. Third- and fourth-year HPSP military students from VCOM have already started participating in one-week outreach trips aboard the Comfort, along with active military or veteran physician faculty members from the College. VCOM affiliated international clinic directors will join the Comfort outreach efforts when in Honduras or the Dominican Republic, to provide in-country support and collaboration. During these trips, VCOM students and doctors live on the ship, disembarking with Comfort doctors to land-based clinics where they have the capacity to serve 500-1000 patients. Students may have the chance to assist and participate in on-board patient surgeries. Serving on the USNS Comfort, VCOM military students participate in humanitarian outreach in Latin American and Caribbean regions.

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VCOM Students and Graduates Serving Our Country

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White House Physician speaks at VCOMMilitary Promotion Ceremony

O n Friday, May 6, 2022, President Biden's White House physician charged the 12 VCOM-Virginia Class of 2022 military graduates to serve with honor. Kevin C. O'Connor, DO, FAAFP, U.S. Army, Colonel (Retired) gave the keynote address at the annual Military Promotion Ceremony that day in Blacksburg, Virginia. Classmates, friends, family members and faculty, staff and administration were in attendance in the VCOM II building, as 12 members of the Class of 2022 were promoted, representing the United States Army, Army Reserves, Navy, and Air Force. This year’s promotion ceremony featured remarks by former military physician, Frederic A. Rawlins III, DO, Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS) Advisor and graduate of the VCOM Class of 2010. An invocation was delivered by VCOM Chairman of the Board John Rocovich Jr, JD, LLM, and the keynote address was given by Dr. O’Connor. Dr. O’Connor led the students being promoted in the Oaths of Office and then presented each of the twelve with a COM challenge coin. During the ceremony, Dr. O’Connor told the graduates that they should concentrate on teamwork and work every day on their brand

—how they conduct themselves while in service. He pointed out that there will be times that they will be called on to make difficult decisions, and they should always serve with honor. Dr. O’Connor told them that nothing will ever compare to treating soldiers in battle—to get in the dirt, get on

the line and learn to give them the best care. He also urged them to explore family medicine while in the military, get out of the hospitals and learn from fellow military members and their families. After the ceremony, Dr. O'Connor spoke with VCOM staff and shared his White House service. While he was in the Army, he served two and a half years as part of the medical team for former President George W. Bush. After that, he served as physician to former Vice President Joe Biden during former President Barack Obama's term. O'Connor planned on retiring from the military at that time, but former President Obama was reelected so O'Connor served another term before retirement. Then after retirement, he was asked by President Biden to return as his family medicine physician, so O'Conner returned to service. O'Conner said that the position of White House physician is a non-partisan one and such a great honor, but providing healthcare services as a military physician to fellow soldiers will always be the greatest honor he has ever had. “... nothing will ever compare to treating soldiers in battle – to get in the dirt, get on the line and learn to give them the best care.” —Kevin C. O’Connor, DO, FAAFP, US Army (retired)

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