West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
For the 22nd straight year , the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine ( WVSOM ) has been identified by U . S . News & World Report as one of the nation ’ s top medical schools .
Founded in 1974 , WVSOM produces half the primary care physicians in West Virginia . With a goal to educate students as lifelong learners in osteopathic medicine and complementary health-related programs ,
WVSOM is dedicated to serving the Mountain State and the health care needs of its residents , emphasizing primary care in rural areas . Graduates of the school currently practice medicine in all 50 U . S . states and Washington , D . C .
Nationally ranked first among all medical schools graduating physicians who practice in rural areas , WVSOM not only impacts Greenbrier and surrounding counties but the entire state . According to a 2019 report , the annual economic impact of WVSOM and its affiliated Robert C . Byrd Clinic is $ 53.5 million .
WVSOM is fully accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association and the Higher Learning Commission ( HLC ) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools . Although HLC accreditation is not required of the osteopathic medical school , WVSOM voluntarily sought the additional accreditation as part of its strategic plan to educate lifelong learners . educational partners and supported the expansion of WVSOM ’ s interprofessional education program , which partners with health professional programs throughout the state . Along with the academic departments , he has participated in the school ’ s expanded community outreach , where several high school and college pipeline programs were developed to encourage students to enter health science fields .
Boisvert has been the recipient of several awards and accolades during his successful career in the health care industry , including the West Virginia Immunization Network Immunization Advocate Award , President ’ s Award for Excellence for Outstanding Clinical Science Faculty and Outstanding Employee of the Year . Boisvert was also inducted into the AOA Mentor Hall of Fame . However , what he finds most rewarding is seeing students become successful and providing care to those in need .
“ Forty nine of the 55 counties in West Virginia have a WVSOM graduate
practicing primary care , and more than half of the graduates practicing in the state are serving the rural areas where there is the most need ,” he says .
As Boisvert makes plans to retire in the next year , he has no plans to leave West Virginia and expects to keep in contact with the school he has called home for the majority of his career .
“ This is my home and has been for more than 30 years ,” he says . “ The state has provided a safe place for my wife and I to raise our family and an education for my children . I feel privileged that so many individuals choose me to handle their health care needs as their physician , and I feel very fortunate that I have been able to work with so many talented individuals , not only at our school but in the community and at the state level . It has been a pleasure caring for the citizens of West Virginia and an honor to have been allowed to participate in the education of so many outstanding physicians .”. •
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