WVSOM received accreditation for new master's program

WVSOM received accreditation for new master's program

WVSOM has expanded its degree portfolio to offer a new Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree program. The first class of students began the program in August.

The new degree — which received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission in January — is a two-semester, nine-month program. It includes a core of biomedical sciences courses designed to prepare students for advanced study in any health profession, as well as a health sciences thread that introduces students to the principles of community health and the importance of diet and physical activity for health maintenance and the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases.

Timothy Garrow, Ph.D., WVSOM’s founding associate dean of graduate programs, said the rollout of the degree program is the result of a year’s worth of work.

“It’s been exciting to work with like-minded faculty, administrators and staff to develop a novel M.S. degree in biomedical sciences that includes training in the food, nutrition, public health and exercise sciences so that future health care professionals are well equipped to help prevent or better manage the most common chronic medical conditions in the U.S.,” he said.

In addition to core biomedical science courses such as cell biology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, and human anatomy and physiology, the health sciences thread introduces students to the topics of community and public health, nutrition and food science, medical nutrition therapy, and physiological adaptations to exercise.

Linda Boyd, D.O., chief academic officer, said the program is an example of WVSOM’s effort to expand interest in health care careers.

“At WVSOM, we have mastered the way in which we deliver a medical education. Being able to also offer a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences allows us to create a larger pool of qualified applicants to go on to complete their medical training. West Virginia needs more doctors, and this is another way to meet our mission.”

WVSOM’s graduate program will place an emphasis on lifestyle and chronic disease prevention — an issue of value to the state of West Virginia, which has some of the highest rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease in the nation — by teaching the science behind those issues. The medical school’s existing Culinary Medicine and Exercise is Medicine courses allow students to take a closer look at health maintenance and wellness through nutrition, dietary patterns and exercise. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to give physicians the confidence to provide nutrition and physical activity advice to their patients.

TIMOTHY GARROW, PH.D.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Garrow is the founding associate dean for graduate programs. His role at WVSOM is to oversee the development and delivery of graduate programs — a new endeavor for the medical school. The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program is the first graduate program ever offered at WVSOM, but additional programs are planned. Besides having administrative oversight of the MSBS program, Garrow will have a significant role teaching in medical biochemistry and nutrition science courses. Before coming to WVSOM, Garrow was a professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois and a professor of biochemistry at Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. He completed a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry at the University of California-Berkeley, where he also completed postdoctoral research. Garrow has two Master of Science degrees, one in nutrition from the University of California-Davis and one in exercise physiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

ADRIENNE WILLIAMS, PH.D.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Williams is the course director for the human anatomy and physiology course sequence and helps facilitate graduate program admissions, as well as advising students in the program. She has a Ph.D. degree in medical sciences from the University of Florida College of Medicine and Bachelor of Science degrees in biology and investigative science from West Virginia University. Most recently, Williams taught undergraduate students at West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

AMBER MACDONALD, PH.D.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

MacDonald is an assistant professor in the program, with a focus on biochemistry and exercise science courses. She thinks the program will help students be more competitive in gaining admission to health professional schools and will help others advance their current careers. MacDonald has a Bachelor of Science degree in sports science/sports medicine from Bluefield College, a Master of Science degree in cellular and molecular nutrition from the University of Tennessee, and a Ph.D. degree in comparative and experimental medicine, also from the University of Tennessee. In addition to experience as a graduate research assistant and teaching assistant, she was a University of Tennessee research associate and laboratory support coordinator.

LINDA GARROW, PH.D.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Garrow teaches lab courses in food science and medical nutrition therapy, providing skills that can be used in students’ personal lives and can be shared with patients should they enter the fields of medicine or dietary counseling. She believes the knowledge gained from these courses is foundational to the philosophy of osteopathic medicine. Garrow has a Ph.D. degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in food science as well as a Master of Science degree in human nutrition. She has 25 years of experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students in the food, nutrition and culinary sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Michigan State University. Garrow also is a certified culinary medicine specialist.

MARA DAVIS

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Davis provides complex administrative support to the associate dean for graduate programs as well as the program’s faculty. She provides guidance for employees and students, manages the office’s budget, assists with the coordination and administering of courses to ensure achievement of curriculum goals and provides support to graduate students as they progress through the curriculum. Davis has master’s and bachelor’s degrees in health care administration from Southern New Hampshire University and has experience providing administrative support in the health care industry with WVSOM and CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center.