VCOM 2024 Annual Report

A. Patricia Merryman Scholarship Emily D’Arpa, Class of 2026

The Cornwell-Thomas Medical Scholarship Kara Mullins, Class of 2027 “I want to make a difference in the world, even if it is just one patient’s world, and I want to be a vessel for the Lord to use me in a mighty way to help take care of His beautiful creations, which is truly why I chose to become a DO.”

“I feel confident that my future rests in primary care where I can continue developing and strengthening relationships with individuals within my community, as well as seeing patients as people first.”

New River Valley Health Foundation Scholarship Nicholas Wright, Class of 2026 “Whether I am working in one of our critical access hospitals or in the pre-hospital/community care setting, I believe that the osteopathic tenets are the best foundation that I could have for my practice, and I hope to use them to make a difference in the lives of those in my community.”

Jeanne Horne Stosser Medical Scholarship Thomas Coffey, Class of 2027 “The rural health initiative pioneered by institutions like VCOM, which prioritizes training Osteopathic physicians for underserved regions, has greatly inspired me to pursue this path. My upbringing in a region with physician

shortages has given me a profound commitment to providing this care for my community.”

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