The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) stands out among medical schools for producing the most primary care residents and for graduates practicing in rural areas.
The 2022 edition of the publication’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools” recognized WVSOM for the 23rd consecutive year.
The school is ranked No. 16 in the percentage of 2012 to 2014 graduates practicing direct patient care in rural areas, and is ranked No. 14 in the percentage of 2012 to 2014 graduates practicing in primary care specialties. The school is also ranked No. 41 in graduates practicing direct patient care in areas with health professional shortages during that three-year period.
This year, the school was listed fourth in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for producing the most primary care residents. The report shows that 69 percent of WVSOM graduates from 2018 to 2020 entered primary care residencies upon completing medical school.
Part of WVSOM’s mission is to provide a curriculum that encourages medical students to practice primary care in rural areas.
“A commitment to educating primary care physicians who will serve in rural areas is at the heart of our mission,” said WVSOM President James W. Nemitz, Ph.D. “WVSOM’s recognition as a top medical school in primary care speaks to the dedication of the school’s faculty and staff to delivering an education that will enable our students to provide holistic, compassionate and quality care to their future patients.”
Primary care, which includes family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics, is the leading specialty of WVSOM graduates, but they may choose to practice in any specialty.
“While WVSOM does place an emphasis on educating students who want to enter primary care residencies, our graduates are represented in most specialty areas,” said Craig Boisvert, D.O., WVSOM’s vice president for academic affairs and dean. “From the moment students begin their medical school journey, we offer a robust curriculum to help them explore their health care interests as well as many supporting programs that help them determine which specialty is right for them. We encourage primary care specialties, especially in underserved communities, but WVSOM graduates leave medical school with an education and training that is ideal for any specialty.”
Additionally, WVSOM was listed in the category of research and ranked No. 56 in the category of diversity.
Medical school deans and senior faculty from across the U.S. determined the U.S. News & World Report listings based on educational programs. Results were collected from a survey of accredited allopathic and osteopathic medical schools across the country. The full report recognizes institutions that offer top programs in fields of study such as business, law, medicine, engineering and education.