A Message from the Dean
The Mission of the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine is to provide primary care physicians for the rural and underserved areas of Virginia, North Carolina, and the surrounding Appalachian region. Core to this mission is the need to instill compassion, altruism, 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 it's 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. Guatemala is our next frontier.
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.
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
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