WVSOM alumni help lead Beckley VAMC primary care team to national recognition

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) alumni are helping to transform primary care at the Beckley Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Beckley, W.Va., and are earning national recognition.

The Beckley VA primary care team received recognition from the Veterans Health Administration’s Office of Primary Care for its performance on quality measures, several of which rank among the top 10% nationally.

WVSOM alumna Toni Muncy, D.O., the center’s chief of primary care, leads a team that also includes WVSOM alumni Christopher Edwards, D.O.; Christopher Parrish, D.O.; Suzan Myles, D.O.; Michael Yost, D.O.; Mark Yost, D.O.; and Leah Jones, D.O., the center’s chief of staff. Together, these physicians have been instrumental in rebuilding the department and advancing patient care.

The achievement is notable considering the challenges the department faced just a few years ago. In 2023, Beckley VAMC experienced a severe staffing shortage, reducing its provider workforce by approximately 75%.

Rather than relying on short-term staffing fixes, the team took a comprehensive approach to rebuilding the department and improving patient care, according to a press release provided by Beckley VAMC. Clinical and administrative leaders worked together to improve patient access, standardize care and expand same-day appointments. They also strengthened mentoring and provider support and used regular performance reviews to identify opportunities for improvement.

“Serving our nation’s veterans is a privilege and a responsibility I take to heart,” Muncy said. “Our transformation in primary care is not simply about improving performance metrics; it is about restoring access, strengthening trust and ensuring that those who have sacrificed so much for our country receive the exceptional care they deserve. I am proud of what our team has accomplished and grateful for the opportunity to lead alongside such dedicated professionals.”

Team member Mark Yost said the work also reflects WVSOM’s commitment to improving health care access in rural communities.

“In working with the VA, which is the largest health care organization in the country, we are still doing rural primary care in West Virginia with our veterans,” Yost said. “Even though we are operating within the VA system, we are living out WVSOM’s mission to provide primary care in rural areas.”

Workforce stability was central to the turnaround. New physicians receive structured onboarding, mentorship and opportunities for professional growth through teaching, research and leadership development, according to the press release.

By fiscal year 2025, Beckley VAMC had advanced to top-tier performance across multiple quality measures, and that success has continued into fiscal year 2026. Recent data shows the clinic performing in the top 10% nationally in areas such as primary care coordination, stress discussions, patient satisfaction, diabetes health composites, communication of test results, primary care survey access, overall rating of primary care providers and access to same-day primary care appointments. 

The facility also exceeds national benchmarks for colorectal, cervical and breast cancer screenings, according to the press release.