VCOM 2022 Annual Report

Pat Merryman Scholarship for Medical Students Going Into Primary Care

P atricia “Pat” Merryman recently made a gift to establish and permanently endow the A. Patricia Merryman Endowed Medical Scholarship.

The scholarship is for VCOM Virginia students who plan to pursue a career in primary care medicine. When asked about her gift, Pat commented, “A primary care physician is the most important professional resource for care in a community. A primary care doctor can save a person’s life before he or she even knows they need help. Having lived in rural Virginia all my life, I often see families who cannot find a primary care doctor in their community, and many of these people end up in emergency She went on: “Over the years, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact VCOM has had on communities by recruiting students from and returning them to practice in underserved areas. I am so glad I can contribute and play a part in VCOM’s vision and mission.” rooms or are admitted to hospitals more frequently.

Reflecting on Pat’s gift, VCOM President Dixie Tooke Rawlins, DO, said, “Recruiting and retaining the most diverse and academically competitive students from the region, regardless of financial resources, is a top priority for our medical school, and we greatly appreciate Pat for her ongoing and significant support. As a medical school, we are committed to the continuing development and training of competent, compassionate and caring primary care physicians who will return to and practice in medically underserved communities. It is because of the generosity of people like Pat that we are adding healthcare professionals who practice medicine throughout our service areas.”

VCOM-Auburn’s Thrasher Creates Scholarship A generous commitment from Dr. David Thrasher, MD, who serves on the Auburn University graduates and minority or Native American students with demonstrated financial need. Auburn dean. “We are deeply grateful to Dr. Thrasher for

both his service and support, as well as his deeply

VCOM-Auburn Advisory Board, will allow the College to provide a scholarship for either a second, third, or fourth-year medical student in good academic standing on the VCOM-Auburn

“Scholarship support for our students dedicated to our mission is extremely important, especially when meeting the needs of rural and medically underserved populations,” said Dr. Heath Parker, DO, VCOM

held belief that the values and mission of VCOM are improving healthcare throughout our service region.”

campus. Preference for the scholarship will be given to

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