International and Appalachian Outreach

Message from the Dean

Message and Goals from the Vice President

Global Health Initiatives

Global Seminar & Forum

D.O./Graduate Program - Pending

Medical Mission/Outreach:

• Overview of Medical Mission/Outreach
• Appalachia
  • Mini-Med School Program
  • Free Clinics
  • Anatomy Summer Enrichment Experience
  • Remote Area Medical Mission (RAM)
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Honduras

Disaster Response:

• Bioterrorism
• Indian Tsunami Relief
• Hurricane Katrina
• Virginia Tech Tragedy
• Missouri Flood Relief
• Virginia Tornado cleanup
• Honduran Flood Relief

Past Features of the Month:

• VCOM Students Give Thanks by Giving Back
• VCOM's International Clinics

 

 

A Message from the Dean

he MISSION of the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is to provide medical education and research that prepares globally minded, community-focused physicians and to improve the health of those most in need. Core to this mission is the need to instill professionalism, integrity, duty, compassion, altruism, knowledge, critical thinking and a sense of responsibility for the health of the community in which our graduates will practice.

The Medical Missions at VCOM provide care to underserved and disadvantaged populations throughout rural Virginia, the Appalachian region, and globally in developing countries.

The development of a community or a country is dependent upon the health of the citizens within its domain. Without good health, the economy of a region will not improve.

Essential to the practice of Osteopathic Medicine is the belief that one is only healthy when they are healthy in mind, body, and spirit. Around the world, VCOM partners with many organizations to improve the spiritual and social well being of a community as well as the physical and mental health care needs. These are the partnerships that lead to sustainable change.

VCOM students and faculty provide year round clinics in El Salvador, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. The work in the Dominican Republic was recognized as part of the Clinton Global Initiative.

Periodically we are called upon to provide medical relief in the face of disaster. Participating students develop the skills to provide care in the most extreme conditions. In 2004, students spent two weeks providing on-site care to the victims of the Tsunami in coastal Indian villages. In 2005, students and faculty spent 23 days providing care to hurricane disaster victims in Biloxi, Pass Christian, and Waveland Mississippi. In 2007, we were called upon to assist our own collaborative partner, Virginia Tech, in the face of disaster. In 2008, we were called upon to help with the tornado relief in Suffolk, VA, and spent time helping the victims of the floods in Missouri and Honduras.

Please review our International and Appalachian Medical Mission Web pages to explore the many projects of VCOM's global health initiatives.

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO
Dean and Vice President, VCOM