cal schools is among the most affordable in the nation .
Linda Boyd , DO , WVSOM chief academic officer , said the school strives to educate students who will become members of the healthcare workforce in rural areas .
“ We are proud of our success in recruiting students from rural areas and encouraging students to practice in them ,” Boyd said . “ We work hard at this by providing exposure to rural practice in all four years of medical school , didactic and hands-on sessions on rural medicine , and specific support for students with a special interest in rural practice through our Rural Health Initiative . Our clinical faculty in rural practice and hospital partners in rural areas are rock stars , demonstrating that rural medicine can be high-quality delivered with a heart for the community .”
“ The commission ’ s report supports what those of us at WVSOM already know — this school plays a significant role in reducing West Virginia ’ s physician shortage . I ’ m proud that we lead in several key areas . WVSOM is committed to progress , and we ’ re always working to find ways to improve our efforts to serve the state ’ s health care needs ,” Nemitz said .
The WVHEPC is the entity that oversees the state ’ s higher education institutions .
According to data in the report , WVSOM also attracts the highest number of out-of-state students to West Virginia of the state ’ s three medical schools .
With about 200 students in each class , WVSOM is the state ’ s largest medical school . WVSOM ’ s total enrollment for the 2023- 24 academic year was 798 first- through fourth-year students .
James W . Nemitz , PhD , WVSOM president , said the report reflects WVSOM ’ s status as a leader in medical education .
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