Remembering Dr. Dennis Small D.O.

A longtime friend and faculty member of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine has passed away.

Dr. Dennis Small, Associate Professor Emeritus, passed away after a short illness on Aug. 10, 2011. He was 64.

The Keyser native started working at WVSOM in March 1994 and was recently recognized at an employee celebration for his retirement on June 30. Dr. Small's ties to WVSOM began earlier than his employment — he graduated from the osteopathic school in 1978. He also spent some time as director of medical education for the Robert C. Byrd Clinic.

After graduating from medical school, Dr. Small spent time working at an Army Medical Center in Hawaii as part of his active duty service to the military. During his time at various hospitals, Dr. Small was a member of a trauma committee, CPR committee, CQI committee and medical executive committee. Locally he acted as the chief of staff at the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center from 2001-2002.

Throughout the course of his career, Dr. Small was affiliated with eight hospitals, ranging from across the U.S., and was licensed in two states — West Virginia and Nevada. In West Virginia he was a member of three professional organizations: the West Virginia State Osteopathic Association, West Virginia Family Practice Association and West Virginia Society of Osteopathic Family Physicians.

Dr. Small received a variety of military recognitions including receiving medals and a bronze star from his service in Vietnam.

Dr. Small is survived by his wife, Hazel Fisher Small of Lewisburg; two daughters, Candice Jacobin-Raub of Lewisburg and Chaunette Small of Florida; three sons, Jeffrey Martin (WVSOM '04) of Hagerstown, Md., David Small of West Virginia and Alan Jacobin of Caldwell; two sisters, Anna Marie Hogbin of Martinsburg and Patricia Humphrey of Illinois; one brother, Steve Small of Morgantown; and three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Arrangements are by the Longanacre Funeral Home in Fairlea, W.Va. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greenbrier County Ambulance Service, 3rd Street-Fairlea, Lewisburg, WV 24901.