James W . Nemitz
2024 Profiles EDUCATION
“ Ubuntu : I am what I am because of who we all are together .”
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When asked about his professional achievements , James W . Nemitz , Ph . D ., president of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine ( WVSOM ), inevitably starts talking about the school . WVSOM ’ s main campus is in Lewisburg , and the school has seven additional locations throughout the state as part of its Statewide Campus system . Annually , WVSOM produces about 200 new physicians who practice in the state and throughout the nation .
“ We have a great story to tell ,” Nemitz says . “ There is so much happening at WVSOM . I ’ m very proud of our growth and successes .”
Sharing the limelight with WVSOM comes naturally to Nemitz as he and the school have unique histories .
Unlike many college and university presidents , Nemitz built his professional career at the school he now leads . Nemitz has been with WVSOM since 1986 , starting as a biomedical faculty member and later leading the anatomy curriculum and conducting neuroscience research before joining the school ’ s administration .
A native of New York City , he received a Ph . D . in anatomy in 1980 from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine . Nemitz ’ s first professional job was as a postdoctoral fellow in the neurosurgery division of the surgery department at Yale University ’ s School of Medicine .
West Virginia Executive | Profiles | 2024
When Nemitz became WVSOM ’ s seventh president in 2018 , he challenged himself to ensure the school continued to excel in educating medical students , to develop a plan to meet future academic and operational challenges and to share WVSOM ’ s story .
His appointment calendar illustrates his commitment to meeting those challenges , with visits to the West Virginia Legislature to discuss the importance of medical education ; media interviews to promote WVSOM ; participation on education panels to discuss the achievements and needs of the state ’ s medical community ; and attendance at national conferences to share his expertise .
Nemitz also finds time for state association conferences , alumni events and personal visits with community leaders .
Nemitz has a long list of school successes , including implementation of the new Finding Health curriculum that focuses on a healthier lifestyle for students and their future patients ; development of the first master ’ s program that is now accepting students ; the 100 % residency placement rate of WVSOM ’ s class of 2024 ; national and state recognition for members of the school ’ s administration , faculty and alumni ; and new collaborations with the National Institutes of Health and partnerships with other institutions of higher education .
The president is currently talking about WVSOM ’ s newly opened 26,756-square-foot Testing Center and the announcement of a planned $ 35 million medical research expansion .
During what is a difficult time for many institutions of higher education , Nemitz believes he and WVSOM are prepared to change , grow and remain leaders in medical education . •
James W . Nemitz
Company :
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Title :
President
Contact Information :
( 304 ) 647-6200 presidentsoffice @ osteo . wvsom . edu
Accomplishments :
• West Virginia Professor of the Year
• American Osteopathic Foundation Educator of the Year
• National Student Osteopathic Medical Association ’ s George W . Northup , D . O ., Educator of the Year Award
• West Virginia Executive Sharp Shooter
Community Service :
• Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce Board Member
• Rotary International Member , Lewisburg Chapter
• Leadership West Virginia Board Member