Spring Awards Ceremony provided more than $102K to students

Spring Awards Ceremony provided more than $102K to students

Each year, WVSOM recognizes medical students for their achievements in academics and the community during the school’s annual Spring Awards Ceremony.

The event took place March 7 and recipients received a total of $102,300 through 29 scholarships, awards and certificates of appreciation.

WVSOM President James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., said generous contributions made by donors are invaluable in lessening the financial debts of medical students.

“We appreciate the continued support of our benefactors. I also want to acknowledge the work of the WVSOM Foundation and WVSOM Alumni Association for raising the funds for many of these awards and the special contribution made by the foundation to supplement some of the awards,” he said.

This was the inaugural year for the Weisser Scholarship Fund, which was established by Lydia Weisser, D.O., of WVSOM’s Class of 1992. The scholarship is awarded to a student who took a nontraditional path to medical school or who left a previous career to attend medical school.

Jacqueline Shoemaker was the first recipient of the Weisser Scholarship Fund. She said she was honored to be selected and appreciates that there is a scholarship dedicated to nontraditional medical students.

“It’s exciting for people to realize that nontraditional students exist and somebody who is a parent, a spouse or somebody who has had a prior career can come to school and pursue a second degree,” she said. “It’s remarkable to have support from the school while dealing with the fear that comes with quitting your job and leaving your past behind to start this new chapter. The ripple effect this will have will certainly be lasting. You can’t put a price tag on something like that.”

Donette Mizia, WVSOM’s executive director of foundation relations, said nearly every year a new scholarship is presented during the Spring Awards Ceremony — a testament to the generosity of alumni, businesses and organizations.

“WVSOM has always had a strong base of alumni who understand the importance of giving back. Many have done so in the form of scholarship endowments,” she said. “This year we have more than 20 scholarships awarded through the foundation. This number will grow in years to come as additional endowments are being created annually. The foundation is grateful for our donors, and we congratulate the students who benefit from their generosity.”

The WVSOM Foundation is a supporting organization of WVSOM whose goal is to serve the school and its students by securing, managing and allocating the financial contributions of businesses and individuals. Along with the WVSOM Alumni Association, the foundation is the main entity responsible for philanthropic efforts at WVSOM. Those who become financial supporters are investing in students and ultimately in improved health outcomes for rural communities.

While the Spring Awards Ceremony focuses on first-, second- and third-year students, additional awards and funds are provided to fourth-year students at WVSOM’s annual Graduation Awards Ceremony in May.

DR. ROLAND P. SHARP PRESIDENT AND FOUNDATION AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Given to a first-year student based on academic performance, osteopathic professional interest, leadership and citizenship.

Derek Baran

U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH AWARD

Recognizes medical students who have positively impacted public health in their communities. It is given to a student who has developed and implemented a program advancing the overarching goals and achieving the objectives of Healthy People 2030.

Cameron Mitchell

WVSOM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS

Given to students who exemplify scholarship, osteopathic professional interest, leadership and citizenship.

Ethaniel Galloway

Brantley Hyre

Daniel Proctor

WEST VIRGINIA EMULATION ENDOWMENT TRUST/ DR. OLEN E. JONES JR. SCHOLARSHIP

Established in 2016 and named after Olen E. Jones Jr., Ph.D., who served as president of WVSOM from 1987 to 2009. The scholarship is awarded to West Virginia students based on literary and scholastic attainments, morality, leadership and physical vigor.

Caleb Duncan

WVSOM FOUNDATION SCHOLARS AWARDS

Given to West Virginia residents with satisfactory academic performance who plan to stay in West Virginia after residency to practice. Preference is given to students from Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Gilmer, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Nicholas, Roane, Summers, Wayne, Webster or Wyoming counties.

Seth Jude

Barbara Pridemore

Carrie Proctor

Daniel Proctor

LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

Created by the WVSOM Foundation in an effort to help offset the cost of medical school for WVSOM students.

Charles Hawley

JARRELL FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

Established by Greg Jarrell, D.O., Class of 1997, and his wife, Penny, to be awarded to a female student in her second year of medical school who is from Fayette, Raleigh, Summers or Wyoming counties.

Kathryn Peelish

WEISSER SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Established by Lydia Weisser, D.O., of WVSOM’s Class of 1992. The scholarship is awarded to a student who took a nontraditional path to medical school or who left a previous career to attend medical school. Preference is given to a student who is considering entering psychiatry.

Jacqueline Shoemaker

LORETTA MOORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Recipient is chosen by first-year students and given to a classmate who has overcome obstacles in order to succeed.

Makenzie Casto

ANNA MARIE COUNTS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Established by her family and WVSOM staff in 2018. Counts was the director of accreditation at WVSOM from July 2013 until her untimely death in August 2017. The scholarship is given to a female second-year student from West Virginia who exemplifies the characteristics that Counts embodied, which included getting things done behind the scenes, leading by example, and being compassionate, an untiring advocate of support for others and a community volunteer.

Carrie Proctor

ANNA MARIE COUNTS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Established by her family and WVSOM staff in 2018. Counts was the director of accreditation at WVSOM from July 2013 until her untimely death in August 2017. The scholarship is given to a female second-year student from West Virginia who exemplifies the characteristics that Counts embodied, which included getting things done behind the scenes, leading by example, and being compassionate, an untiring advocate of support for others and a community volunteer.

Carrie Proctor

FREDRIC W. SMITH MEMORIAL FAMILY PRACTICE SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a student completing his or her second year of medical school. The student must be a West Virginia resident who plans to practice family medicine and has a strong interest in the school and community.

Carrie Proctor

SAMANTHA KETCHEM MUNCY PRIMARY CARE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Established by Muncy’s parents to memorialize their daughter whose life ended too soon. The scholarship is awarded to a third-year medical student from Barbour, Harrison, McDowell, Preston or Taylor counties in West Virginia who plans to remain in the state to practice in a primary care specialty.

Caroline Ferrell

DR. WILLIAM B. MULLEN AND JENNIFER WHITE SCHOLARSHIP

Created in recognition of Dr. William B. Mullen of Logan, W.Va., a physician who cared for his patient, Jennifer White, who passed away in 2011.

Seth Jude

Barbara Pridemore

Gatlin Spangler

RON BILLIPS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Established by a 2002 WVSOM graduate to honor his friend and classmate killed in a car accident. The award is given to a first-year student who is a graduate of Big Creek, Iaeger, Mount View, Princeton or Bluefield high schools in West Virginia or Graham, Tazewell, Richlands or Pocahontas high schools in Virginia.

Caitlyn Huntley

GREENBRIER MILITARY SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP

Presented to two students who excel academically and show strong leadership, determination and discipline.

Averee Pack

Adarsh Vallurupalli

WEST VIRGINIA STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ALLIANCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Provides scholarships for medical students from West Virginia who desire to practice in the state after they graduate. The alliance is an organization that comprises physician spouses, who in the fall of 2016 established an endowment at each of the three medical schools in West Virginia.

Ronald Everhart

DRS. CHERYL AND MICHAEL ADELMAN WVSOM LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a student who has demonstrated character and leadership during their time at WVSOM and who has the potential to be a future leader in the osteopathic profession.

Apongnwu Tete

DRS. CHERYL AND MICHAEL ADELMAN WVSOM LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a student who has demonstrated character and leadership during their time at WVSOM and who has the potential to be a future leader in the osteopathic profession.

Apongnwu Tete

PAUL G. KLEMAN, D.O., FAMILY PRACTICE STUDENT AWARD

Recognizes a student who plans to use osteopathic manipulation in treating patients and is willing to instill the importance of osteopathic principles and practice in the next generation of WVSOM students.

Barbara Pridemore

MOSS SCHOLARSHIPS

Established by the late Marlene Wager, D.O., to support out-of-state students. This year, 14 students received the scholarship.

Derek Baran

Maggie Bartony

Colin Bashline

Codi Elliott

Autumn Horner

David Horvath

Anika Iyer

Suren Jeevaratnam

Peyton Kiser

Barry Ndeh

Charles Ononaku

Lindsey Shughart

Allison Voce

Caitlin Zovack

JAMES R. STOOKEY, D.O., MANIPULATIVE MEDICINE SCHOLARSHIP

Created in honor of James Stookey, WVSOM’s vice president for academic affairs and dean from 1988 to 2002. The scholarship is given to a student who has demonstrated proficiency in manipulative medicine.

Samuel Fuller

MARLENE A. WAGER 10-FINGERED OPP SCHOLARSHIP

Created by the osteopathic principles and practice department in 2008 to recognize a second-year student with outstanding skills in osteopathic manipulative treatment. Candidates are nominated and voted on by classmates. The winner has his or her name engraved on a plaque that is displayed in the osteopathic clinical skills lab.

Dalton McCown

WVSOM FAMILY PRACTICE SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a second-year West Virginia student who has intentions of practicing family medicine upon graduation.

Carrie Proctor

WVSOM DIVERSITY TASK FORCE – EVA TETER HAMMER AWARD

Given to a student who demonstrates an interest in osteopathic medicine and in eliminating the inequities of individuals.

Gray Caldwell

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION STUDENT LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

Presented to first-, second- and third-year students who go above and beyond to serve other students through leadership and who contribute to the betterment of the WVSOM community.

Derek Baran

Emily Huffman

Danielle Reynolds

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION STUDENT COLLEGIALITY SCHOLARSHIP

Presented to first-, second- and third-year students who cultivate strong relationships with their peers and strive to improve the lives of students. The scholarship recognizes students who go above and beyond to serve and support other students.

Kristina Ekkel

Anika Iyer

Mike Farry

Anas Huggi

Caleb Duncan

Sarah Socrates

FREDRIC W. SMITH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Recognizes a campus organization or club that demonstrates a commitment to the Lewisburg community, the WVSOM community and classmates.

WVSOM chapter of the American Medical Women’s Association

SPECIAL AWARD PRESENTATION

Recognizes service and leadership to WVSOM and the student body.

SGA President Ethaniel Galloway

SGA Vice President Deekshitha Tella

OSTEOPATHIC PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE (OPP) INTEGRATION TEACHING AWARD

Given to faculty members for their efforts in teaching and for excelling in integrating OPP into their classes.

Irene Smail, Ph.D. (biomedical sciences)

Christopher Kennedy, D.O. (clinical sciences)

Elizabeth Clark, D.O. (adjunct clinical sciences preceptor)

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION APPRECIATION RECOGNITION

Given to employees by SGA members for their work and support on behalf of medical students.

WVSOM Alumni Association

WVSOM Foundation