Doctors to compete in dance event supporting student scholarships

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) invites members of the public to help make medical students’ educations more affordable while watching physicians show off their best dance moves.

WVSOM will host its annual “Dancing With the D.O.s” scholarship fundraiser at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 7, in the Conference Center in the WVSOM Student Center. Tickets are available for $150 and can be purchased here.

The evening will include dinner, dance performances by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine and opportunities to contribute to student scholarships via a silent auction. Semi-formal attire is encouraged.

Donette Mizia, WVSOM’s executive director of foundation relations, said scholarships through the WVSOM Foundation play a critical role in ensuring the school is able to educate the next generation of physicians.

“By helping students pursue their medical education, WVSOM Foundation scholarships also build the health care workforce that will serve West Virginia in the future,” she said. “Last year’s event was a success, and we have a great lineup of dancers this year who are working hard to put on an unforgettable show. This will be a fun evening for the audience and the participants.”

Dancers will perform as couples. This year’s couples are Lisa Trent-Newell, D.O., of WVSOM’s Class of 1999, and Daniel Trent, D.O., Class of 1983; Angela Frisby, D.O., Class of 2016, and Erik Stapleton, D.O., Class of 2016; and Anna Antolini and her husband Michael Antolini, D.O., Class of 2012.

In addition to a winning couple chosen by three in-person judges, the audience will have the chance to vote for a “fan favorite.” Winning couples will receive trophies.

James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., WVSOM’s president, and his wife, Nancy Bulla Nemitz, will serve as showcase dancers during the event but will not participate in the competition.

Sponsors of Dancing With the D.O.s include Vandalia Health, AccessHealth, Drs. Jodi Flanders and James Deering, Mason & Barry, Dr. Art and Missy Rubin, Boone Memorial Health, City National Bank, Dr. Ryan and Lora Fitzwater, Dr. Lorenzo and Tina Pence, Raleigh General Hospital, WVU Medicine United Hospital Center, WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center, Whit Yates and Jack Carvalho, Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Bank of Monroe, Center for Rural Health Development, First Citizens Bank, Logan Regional Medical Center, Fred Morgan, D.O., and Pam Morgan, Dr. James and Nancy Nemitz, Rainelle Medical Center, River Park Hospital, Summit Physical Therapy, Truist Bank, WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, WVU Medicine Thomas Memorial Hospital, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, the American Beer Company, Gillespie’s Events and Florals, Dr. Marvin Wells, WVSOM, the WVSOM Alumni Association, the WVSOM Foundation and WVSOM Health.

WVSOM’s Annual Partners include Edward Tucker Architects, Peoples Bank, the Thrasher Group, UPMC GoHealth, WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital and ZMM Architects and Engineers.