West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

The mission of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) is to educate students from diverse backgrounds as lifelong learners in osteopathic medicine and complementary health related programs; to support and develop graduate medical education training; to advance scientific knowledge through academic, clinical and basic science research; and to promote patient-centered, evidence based medicine. WVSOM is dedicated to serve, first and foremost, the state of West Virginia and the health care needs of its residents, emphasizing primary care in rural areas.

Where tech meets hometown. It's a personal touch combined with cutting-edge technology that makes the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine the perfect place for future physicians to expand their minds while learning a personal, holistic approach to medicine.

A leader in producing graduates who practice in rural settings, WVSOM blends the ease of living in a breathtaking mountain community with a nationally recognized faculty and innovative programs. U.S.News & World Report has ranked WVSOM among the top medical schools in the nation in primary care and family medicine for the past 20 years, solidifying the school's reputation as a place where scientific study and compassion are joined in one curriculum.

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) is committed to fostering an educational environment that values the development of human potential, cultural and ethnic diversity, and understanding.

WVSOM will not discriminate against any student or applicant for admission on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion,gender, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or other category that is protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws.

However, with respect to disability, the disability must not be such as would, even with reasonable accommodation, in and of itself preclude the student or applicant’s effective participation in the WVSOM educational program.

The costs of medical education are indeed high; therefore, careful planning and fiscal management are essential to meet your future obligations. Our goal is to help you become an informed borrower and to provide a comprehensive system of financial assistance services. Our intent is to provide not only dollar support but also financial counseling and debt management planning services as well.

The WVSOM Financial Aid Philosophy statement suggests, we "expect that students will make every effort to finance their education". The Financial Aid Office will try to assist you with financing issues. Since scholarship and grant moneys are extremely limited, most students must secure outside educational loans to finance their education. You should remember that a loan is not a gift or grant - it must be repaid.

Educational debt management is essential. We encourage you to learn some basic budgeting techniques, to learn to cut costs and possibly to learn to live with less. We encourage you to seek ways to creatively finance your education.

While the academic curriculum at WVSOM provides students with the foundation of medical knowledge, skills, and competencies needed by osteopathic physicians, participation in the numerous student organizations and activities available on campus further enhances the student educational experience.

Involvement in co-curricular programs and activities provides opportunities for students to develop skills that will better prepare them for eventual practice in the community. Leadership skills, time management, interpersonal relationships, marketing, public speaking, and networking with national professional and student professional associations are just some of the benefits and opportunities offered through the co-curricular program.

All of the student organizations at WVSOM are student chapters of national professional organizations and abide by the national by-laws. The relationships with the national organizations give students an important professional network that provides additional educational and training opportunities.

An additional benefit is the potential to be mentored by professionals in the field. WVSOM students serve on national committees for national professional organizations, further enhancing their educational experience and leadership development. Each student organization has identified a community non-profit that they will partner with throughout the year for service activities.

The WVSOM medical education program fosters the development of caring and compassionate physicians. WVSOM is leading the charge to elevate community-based services to a more prominent position in our nation’s health care system. Our medical students are the top priority. Our rigorous program produces well-trained doctors who are dedicated, disciplined and committed to being the best physicians by the books and by the bedside. The student-centered class structure offers a 21st century, clinically integrated approach to medical education. Courses are presented in three major areas: Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Sciences and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine.

The modern WVSOM library provides electronic resources to supplement print items, and provides both on-campus and remote access to more than 8,000 e-journals, hundreds of e-books, and many medical databases. The WVSOM curriculum is carefully constructed to thoroughly prepare its graduates for practice in any setting. However, the WVSOM educational program is tailored to train osteopathic physicians for practicing primary care medicine in rural settings.

The four-year program at WVSOM emphasizes basic and clinical sciences, training in hospital and primary care clinical settings and extensive training in diagnostic skills including early clinical experiences. Students are prepared for the challenges of rural practice through family medicine clerkships in rural areas.