WVSOM is working with CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Ronceverte , WV , to allow the hospital to use the facility as a secure place to administer benchmark exams required of resident physicians . Carrier said the school may partner with additional outside organizations in the use of the building .
Planning for the Testing Center began in late 2017 . Ground broke on the construction in 2021 , but supply chain issues in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its completion , Carrier said .
The facility ’ s opening provides WVSOM with an amenity often reserved for medical schools that are linked with universities , she explained .
“ WVSOM is a free-standing medical school that has also established a master ’ s program in biomedical sciences , so the value of this addition lies in the opportunity for all students to test in a facility that is solely dedicated to that purpose ,” Carrier said . “ As future physicians , our students are going to be assessed periodically for years to come . If we can establish a way for them to feel more comfortable with the experience of testing , the hope is that they will be more successful .”
James W . Nemitz , PhD , WVSOM ’ s president , said the Testing
Center is the latest expansion designed to help the school retain its position as a leader in producing top-quality physicians .
“ It ’ s incredible to think about our school ’ s growth during the last 52 years . This medical school began with one building , and now our campus is filled with facilities that allow for innovative medical education for our students ,” Nemitz said . “ These projects represent our commitment to providing students with opportunities that will make them better physicians .”
ZMM Architects & Engineers , headquartered in Charleston , WV , served as the primary architect for the facility , and DCI Shires , based in Bluefield , WV , was the general contractor for its construction .
West Virginia Medical Journal • September 2024 • 29