Craig Boisvert , D . O ., FACOFP
Vice President of Academic Affairs & Dean , West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
BRITTANY MCCLUNG
For more than 30 years , Craig Boisvert , D . O ., has played a prominent role in West Virginia ’ s health care industry , providing medical , clinical and educational services . Today , he serves as the vice president of academic affairs and dean at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine ( WVSOM ).
A native of Vermont , Boisvert received his bachelor ’ s degree in biology from the University of Vermont and his doctorate in osteopathic medicine from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine . He then completed a 12-month rotating internship , as well as a family medicine residency at the Lancaster Osteopathic Hospital in Pennsylvania . In 2007 , Boisvert completed a health policy fellowship through the American Osteopathic Association ( AOA ) in conjunction with Ohio University ’ s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and the New York Institute of Technology .
Following his residency , Boisvert practiced in a small town in Arkansas for four years , which was part of a service obligation to the National Health Service Corps . There he was able to practice the same type of medicine he became familiar with growing up , which led to his realization that physicians are needed in rural America . Boisvert then made his way to the Mountain State , where he has lived and worked since 1988 .
In his role as vice president of academic affairs and dean , Boisvert supervises and encourages faculty , oversees curriculum , counsels others and strives to keep everyone happy as the students move along their path to becoming physicians . In a role with such great responsibility and challenges , including accreditation changes , new laws and the high cost of medical education , Boisvert finds the rewards in each day .
“ There is nothing more rewarding than watching a first-year osteopathic medical student go from their first physical diagnosis lab where they do not understand medical terminology , do not know how to use their diagnostic equipment and have no medical knowledge to then watching
Photo by Pat Bauserman .
as they graduate four years later as a competent new physician ,” says Boisvert .
Another thing he enjoys about his position is getting to be in the classroom or skills lab to work with the students .
“ Being at WVSOM has given me the ability to practice medicine , teach , do research and try my hand in administration ,” says Boisvert .
Throughout his career at WVSOM , he has developed four separate courses , two of which are still in use , and has been involved in developing the patient presentation curriculum , which focuses on the most common ways patients present to their physician . Boisvert has expanded the school ’ s Statewide Campus system of
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE