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Marshall School of Medicine Continues Growth Trend
Since its inception in 1977 , the Marshall University Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine ’ s mission has been to foster a skilled physician workforce to meet the unique health care needs of West Virginians . The school of medicine ’ s newest addition , the department of anesthesiology , furthers that mission by facilitating learning opportunities in a practice area experiencing a nationwide shortage .
“ Our medical school has benefited from the expertise of many talented local anesthesiologists who have served as volunteer faculty over the years ,” says Bobby Miller , M . D ., interim dean of the Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine . “ As we look to the future , however , it is evident , that we need to create a more robust mechanism for growth in this area of specialty care in order to address workforce shortages and enable our operating rooms to function at maximum efficiency .”
The department is one of 17 housed within the school of medicine through which primary care and more than 75 specialties are offered by its faculty practice , Marshall Health , and partner hospitals . In addition to anesthesiology , the school recently added a second year to its general dentistry residency program and created a separately accredited rural surgery residency program — the first of its kind — in partnership with Logan Regional Medical Center .
“ Through this program , we hope to move toward closing the surgical care gap for rural communities ,” says Paulette Wehner , M . D ., vice dean of graduate medical education at the Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine and 2023 West Virginia Executive Health Care Hall of Fame recipient .
The school of medicine ’ s focus continues to be reaching patients in rural areas through its services as well as community
Jovon M . Cobbs , medical student
partnerships like mobile immunization and wellness clinics through the Robert C . Byrd Center for Rural Health at Marshall University and West Virginia Health Right ’ s mobile dental unit .
Students are also encouraged to care beyond the exam room by leading fundraising efforts for local charities or initiatives like Marshall Medical Outreach , offered monthly in Huntington for the homeless or those most at risk of homelessness . One medical student , Nicholas Dolan , spearheaded the creation of an outdoor fitness park in his hometown in Boone County , West Virginia .
“ For the 77 % of students who are from West Virginia , many of the communities we serve are home . We are proud to provide opportunities for them to care for their neighbors , families and friends ,” Miller says .
The school of medicine currently has 468 total students and 259 resident physicians and fellows enrolled . It houses an array of degree programs , including medical , B . S ./ M . D ., master ’ s , doctoral and physician assistant as well as residency and fellowship programs and other advanced training opportunities . For more information about the school of medicine , visit jcesom . marshall . edu .
School of Medicine Class of 2026 jcesom . marshall . edu