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James W . Nemitz , Ph . D .
President , West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
CATHY BONNSTETTER
Photo by Pat Bauserman .
WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE ’ S ( WVSOM ) seventh president , James Nemitz , Ph . D ., says the responsibilities of his position never end , but he loves representing WVSOM . Nemitz became president of the medical school in 2018 .
“ This job as president is the culmination of my career and demands everything I have learned throughout my life ,” Nemitz says . “ My 20 years as a biomedical faculty member leading the anatomy curriculum , conducting neuroscience research and participating in many facets of the life of the school for more than 35 years have been instrumental in understanding the underpinnings of our institution .” Life lessons learned as a young man growing up in Queens ,
NY , shape both his professional and personal life .
“ My dad was my first mentor ,” Nemitz says . “ He was a 50-year career bartender in mid-town Manhattan ; he was an icon . From him , I learned the value of work and taking care of others . I learned that what ’ s important in life is not so much what you do but how you do it .”
Nemitz says that his parents , Walter and Ina , were his foundation . They taught him to value people in his life and
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