VCOM 2023 Annual Report

The History of VCOM (continued)

and medically underserved areas throughout the Southeastern United States.

been part of the family for more than 20 years.

John Rocovich took on the role of board chair and Dr. Sue Ellen Rocovich joined him on the board. Both continue in those roles to this day. Neil Castignoli, who had been the first Via Professor of Chemistry, joined the board of directors. The late James F. Wolfe, PhD, a retired department head in the Department of Chemistry and former vice provost at Virginia Tech, became VCOM’s first president. Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP, an accomplished osteopathic physician and educator, became the senior vice president and dean and currently serves as president today. Jan Willcox, DO, FACOFP-dist., joined the VCOM family as the associate dean for clinical affairs and research, building clinical relationships with medical facilities across the state. Dr. Willcox became dean of the Virginia campus in 2011.

Building the First Campus Establishing an osteopathic medical college in Blacksburg, Virginia, was an excellent idea. A study performed by the leaders of Virginia Tech revealed that the Southside and Southwest areas of Virginia would experience extreme healthcare shortages, and the three existing medical schools in Virginia, located in the eastern half of the state, had produced a relatively small number of primary care physicians for Southwestern Virginia. The need for more primary care physicians was clear.

Many of the College’s first leaders are familiar names to the VCOM family—in fact, many have

2008 Responding to the primary care shortages in North and South Carolina and in recognition of the high number of enrolled Carolinas students, VCOM

2010 Ground is broken for the first VCOM branch campus, VCOM Carolinas, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, building on the grounds of the historic Spartan Mill. The 278-foot smokestack is preserved to honor its history. Timothy Kowalski, DO, begins as vice dean of the first VCOM branch campus.

The College begins its first post-baccalaureate pre-medical certificate program, providing an avenue for rural and second career students to prepare for medical school or other health careers.

The first VCOM primary care graduates complete their residency programs and return to provide care to underserved areas. The VCOM mission and vision begins being fulfilled through its alumni.

begins plans for a Carolinas campus.

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