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Marshall University Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine
Marshall School of Medicine celebrates 42nd annual graduation and investiture
Nearly 70 new physicians and researchers were awarded degrees from the Marshall University Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine during the school ’ s 42nd annual graduation and investiture ceremony , held April 29 at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center in Huntington .
Marshall University President Brad D . Smith conferred 65 Doctor of Medicine ( MD ) degrees , two Doctor of Philosophy ( PhD ) degrees in biomedical research , and two combined Doctor of Medicine- Doctor of Philosophy ( MD / PhD ) degrees .
“ As our nation ’ s newest doctors , you are the change agents for the healthcare of the future ,” Smith said .
Of the MD graduates , 10 are part of the inaugural BS / MD cohort . The program , launched in 2015 , allows high-performing West Virginia high school students to finish both their Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees in seven years and provides a full tuition waiver for the medical school portion of their curriculum . Every member of the graduating MD class matched to residency training programs . Of the PhD graduates , one starts a tenure-track faculty position at Saint Augustine ’ s University and the other will be attending medical school at Marshall University .
Noted pathologist and 1992 alumnus of the medical school , Gary W . Procop , MD , MS , who serves as chief executive officer of the American Board of Pathology , delivered the keynote address to the Class of 2022 . At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic , Procop served as the endowed chair of clinical microbiology and medical director of virology at Cleveland Clinic , where he assembled a dynamic interdisciplinary team that allowed Cleveland Clinic to become the first hospital in Ohio to offer COVID-19 testing .
The ceremony also included recognition of Peter A . Chirico , MD , as the Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine Alumni Association 2022 honorary alumnus . Chirico , professor and chair of radiology , has mentored more than 150 radiology graduates during his 30- year tenure at Marshall University and Radiology , Inc .
Image : Marshall University Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine Graduating Class of 2022 .
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