higher eduation Medical student Sam Bircher and research mentor Michael Fox work together on a neurobiology experiment, part of the VTC School of Medicine’s goal of training scientist physicians.
Charles Steger, then-Carilion Clinic President and CEO Ed Murphy, and then-Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine announced the creation of this public-private partnership. A new medical school, with a goal of not only attracting future physicians but keeping them in
Roanoke, would address the findings of a study that showed the state would soon face a shortage of physicians, those leaders said at the time. Virginia Tech brought its strength in basic sciences, bioinformatics and engineering, while Carilion Clinic brought its experienced medical
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute Both the School of Medicine and the Research Institute were founded in 2007 and opened in 2010. More than 3,000 applications are received each year for the School of Medicine. 42 students are accepted annually. Volunteer work in community service, teamwork and leadership are listed as factors in acceptance. The research institute’s faculty research team leaders have successfully competed for research grants valued at more than $12 million a year. Grant funding is hard to get, with more than 90 percent of research grant requests denied. The institute has 24 research teams and plans to expand to more than 30. Sources: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute, Michael Friedlander, www.vtc.vt.edu
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staff and history in medical education. Both brought their excellent reputations. In 2008, the state approved $59 million in funding for the venture. The medical school’s charter class enrolled in 2010, and 40 of them graduated in 2014, and another 40 graduated in May. Kaine spoke to the inaugural 2014 class at its graduation. Each of the new doctors was granted a residency, with 11 choosing to perform their residencies at Carilion. In the second class, five of the students stayed in Roanoke to do their residencies. Virginia Tech Carilion sits next to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and the Carilion Clinic outpatient clinic in downtown Roanoke. Hokie Stone, the much-loved limestone block that is an iconic part of many buildings at Virginia Tech, was used on part of the building. While the School of Medicine and the Research Institute are separate, they work closely with each other. One of the purposes of the medical school, according to its website, is to address the need for research-competent physicians “who can translate research from the bench to the bedside and into the community.” Studies are conducted at the research institute to try to better understand the molecular basis for health and disease while working to develop new treatments. Friedlander says Virginia Tech Carilion’s researchers are working not only at the level of DNA and cells, but directly with people – “Virtually every aspect in the pipeline, from fundamental discovery right up to application in humans” – and they are seeing results. One example is the children’s Neuromotor Research Clinic led by Dr. Sharon Ramey, where children from across the world are on a two-year waiting list for her breakthrough therapy for cerebral palsy. In addition to its potential impact on health care, the economic impact the venture has had on the city and surrounding area is significant. Friedlander says the instiPhoto by David Hungate, courtesy Virginia Tech