New dean’s ‘leadership has been instrumental,’ president says
Gail Swarm, D.O., who became the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine’s (WVSOM) interim dean in January, has been appointed vice president of academic affairs and dean and chief academic officer starting May 30.
James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., WVSOM’s president, said the longtime faculty member’s appointment follows an extensive search process.
“After a national search, Dr. Swarm was selected as the best candidate for the position,” Nemitz said. “Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing curriculum quality, accreditation readiness, faculty development and student‑centered educational initiatives. I am grateful for Dr. Swarm’s continued commitment to WVSOM and confident in the experience she brings.”
Swarm joined WVSOM in 2003. She served as an assistant professor, associate professor and professor of family medicine at the school, and chaired the Department of Clinical Sciences from 2013 to 2016 before becoming the department’s assistant dean in 2020. She also has served as director of WVSOM’s Clinical Evaluation Center.
As the 11th dean in the school’s 54-year history, Swarm said she hopes to continue its legacy of high-quality academic stewardship.
“I’m fortunate to follow strong leaders who guided this institution through significant challenges, including the pandemic and major curricular advancements. I look forward to building on that foundation as we continue advancing our mission,” she said.Gail Swarm DO
She said she is enthusiastic about helping to lead WVSOM at a time when health care and medical education are evolving rapidly.
“From advances such as artificial intelligence to changing patient needs, we must continue adapting while staying grounded in our mission to educate compassionate, highly skilled physicians,” she said. “I am also grateful to be part of a community where faculty, staff and preceptors are so deeply invested in student success. Their dedication makes this institution special.”
A board-certified family physician and fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Swarm practiced in the Ohio cities of North Royalton, Akron and Cleveland before relocating to Lewisburg.
During her time at WVSOM, Swarm has led projects including virtual reality and artificial intelligence applications in medical training. She worked with a third-year medical student to obtain grant funding to develop an app to allow medical students to access video of special physical diagnosis tests using wearable glass. A second app was later launched to provide access to the physical exam videos on YouTube.
Swarm is an associate editor for the West Virginia Medical Journal and serves as an accreditation reviewer for the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. She recently completed the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine’s Senior Leadership Development Program.