VCOM 2024 Annual Report

Shaping the Future of Osteopathic Medicine Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP President, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

T he Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) mission has always been clear: to prepare globally minded, community focused osteopathic physicians who will meet the healthcare needs of rural and medically underserved populations. This commitment has guided the institution’s growth, shaped the curriculum, and driven the success of students and alumni. As we reflect on the past year and look ahead, we take pride in

surpass national standards with board scores (first-time pass rates and scores) higher than the national average, a lower attrition rate, an initial residency match rate for the past four years of more than 95%, and a final pass rate exceeding 99%. These numbers surpass the national average for both DOs and MDs. VCOM’s remarkable success speaks to our graduates’ quality and readiness to meet residency training demands.

VCOM’s contributions to shaping the future of osteopathic medicine—

“VCOM remains committed to graduating physicians who will meet our country’s needs, to advancing research that improves human health, and to fostering a sense of purpose in every student, as we help to transform the outlook for the future of healthcare.”

one student, one graduate, and one community at a time.

VCOM students are at the heart of our mission. In the 2024-25 academic year, 84% of

VCOM students come from our target states, 24% of our students are from communities of less than 10,000, and 45% of our students hail from communities with populations of less than 30,000. These are rural areas where access to quality healthcare is often limited. By recruiting students from these areas, the likelihood of these future physicians serving their home communities or other rural communities is higher. In addition, 64.5% of our graduates have entered primary care residencies, a critical step in addressing the ongoing shortage of primary care providers in rural and underserved areas.

VCOM’s impact does not end with residency training. Today, more than 60% of VCOM alumni are practicing in primary care and in an area of the country where they are most needed: rural and medically underserved areas. In addition, 74% of VCOM’s alumni practice in a VCOM-designated target state in the Southeast United States. The majority of VCOM students and alumni remain committed to serving in areas where they are most needed. VCOM remains committed to graduating physicians who will meet our country’s needs, to advancing research that improves human health, and to fostering a sense of purpose in every student, as we help to transform the outlook for the future of healthcare.

Academic excellence is the foundation of VCOM’s success. Our students continue to

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