VCOM 2025 Annual Report

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Building a Culture of Discovery

P resenting research is a critical part of advancing knowledge, and it is central to how VCOM supports a strong research culture. Each year, VCOM hosts five research focused events that give faculty and students alike the opportunity to share their work, exchange ideas, and engage with peers across disciplines and institutions. Via Research Recognition Days Each campus hosts a Via Research Recognition Day in February, highlighting the research efforts unique to that location. These events feature keynote presentations from accomplished researchers, along with poster sessions showcasing projects by VCOM students and students from nearby partner institutions. Faculty-led review committees at each campus recognize outstanding work through competitive awards, celebrating both innovation and rigor.

Together, these campus based events honor individual achievement while underscoring the collective effort required to move science forward. Research Retreat In addition to these local programs, VCOM hosts an annual Research Retreat designed to strengthen collaboration across all four campuses. Rotating locations ensure broad participation; in 2025, the retreat was hosted at VCOM-Louisiana. The retreat creates space for researchers from different campuses to connect, compare priorities, and identify shared interests. The 2025 Research Retreat drew 130 participants, including researchers from every VCOM campus and 32 attendees from external organizations such as hospital and educational partners. Together, these events reinforce VCOM’s commitment to research that is collaborative, visible, and deeply integrated into its institutional mission.

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The life of a physician is both challenging and deeply rewarding. Through my experience in healthcare, I developed a passion for interacting with patients and understanding the complexities of disease processes. My goal is to work in rural Appalachia, serving low-income populations.”

Amber Miller ‘27 VCOM Virginia, The United Company Foundation Endowed Scholarship