INSIDE WVSMA
Remembering John Law
“ I have known John for a number of years, well before he became the executive director of the West Virginia State Medical Association. My best memories of him are the countless times we have spent together at the State Capitol on a mission of advocacy. His irreverent wit was never more obvious than when we were walking those halls. He always had a story that showed the depth of his insider’ s knowledge of the intricacies of our state government. I will miss the fun conversations and even funnier observations. Rest easy, my friend.”
Suzanne Gharib Past President, West Virginia State Medical Association
West Virginia lost a dedicated healthcare policy advocate with the passing of John Law in July 2025. Law had supported the West Virginia State Medical Association’ s( WVSMA) efforts in multiple capacities throughout his life. He served as the executive director from 2021 up until his passing, director of communications during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and director of government affairs from 1997-1998. Law also dedicated parts of his career to working with the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department as a public information officer and as the assistant secretary for communications and legislative affairs and director of communications for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
“ John D. Law was a valued colleague and dear friend. It’ s a loss for me personally and for our state. His wit, intelligence, and understanding of a complex political system that spanned decades was and will be unmatched. He is the kind of person who would lift others up and also say what needed to be said to move forward.
He shared in one of his many messages to me during my time as WVSMA president,‘ I am so proud of all we have done. Lots more to do, but we’ re making progress.’ I too am proud of what we have done and what he did for the Mountain State. I pray and believe he is at peace, and I will do my best to keep making progress. West Virginia has lost another good, loyal, and faithful servant. Thank you, John.”
Lisa M. Costello, MD, MPH, FAAP Past President, West Virginia State Medical Association
“ A truly great and dedicated man, our executive director, Mr. John Law, embodied leadership with humility and integrity. I had the joy of meeting Mr. Law about five years ago when I became the editor of the West Virginia Medical Journal. He had been a major supporter of the journal and the editorial team. Every encounter I had with Mr. Law was steeped in his kindness and gratitude. Strongly committed to the mission of the West Virginia State Medical Association, he possessed a deep understanding of healthcare issues in our state. Mr. Law will be sorely missed.”
Linda S. Nield, MD
Associate Dean for Admissions and Professor of Medical Education and Pediatrics, West Virginia University School of Medicine
“ There are very few people who I consider leaders from behind the scenes. John was one of them. With his radiant smile and positive energy, even when he was not feeling well, John was the leader who would make everyone around him find their way. He always found good in people and helped them find it in themselves. He carried healthcare advocacy in his heart and paved the way for physicians to lead. John’ s passing is a loss to those who know him, the WVSMA, West Virginia, and healthcare advocacy everywhere— a loss to all of us.”
Shafic Sraj, MD, MBA, CPE, FAAOS Program Director, Physician LEADS WV Past President, West Virginia State Medical Association
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