Welcome to the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. VCOM has four campuses and while each are somewhat different they all have one common Mission: to graduate community-focused, globally-minded osteopathic physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved areas and to provide research to improve human health. This Mission is the heart and soul of VCOM, and is seen in all of our students and our outreach programs in the Appalachian and Delta regions. VCOM offers an opportunity for students to "make a difference" during their four years of medical education.. VCOM has become one of the largest medical schools in the country, yet VCOM maintains the nurturing small private college feel for the student.
VCOM offers a dynamic, systems-integrated, curriculum that includes lectures, multiple laboratory experiences and human simulation, online independent learning experiences, and early clinical experiences. VCOM believes the curriculum should be diverse as students appreciate a variety of learning experiences. In the clinical years, VCOM partners with many community-based hospitals throughout Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana. The clinical program of VCOM, although community-based, is highly structured with core hospitals and a common curriculum. In each facility VCOM hires a Director of Student Medical Education, clinical coordinator, and clinical faculty who work with the Clinical Chairs to assure students have a well-developed clinical training program for a continuum of medical education. In addition, VCOM participates in a post-graduate training institute to assure a continuum to residency programs.
VCOM offers an opportunity for students to “make a difference” during their four years of medical education.
In addition to education, VCOM faculty and students provide preventive health programs to medically underserved populations in Appalachia and International developing countries. VCOM provides medical care in free clinics, community health clinics, prevention programs, and mini-medical schools to rural high schools in the communities surrounding our campuses. Our international outreach program has been successful in establishing three sustainable, year-round clinical programs in Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. Collectively, these clinics and programs provide care to hundreds of patients who would otherwise be without access to care.
VCOM has many award-winning programs. The VCOM Appalachian Outreach Program has won the President’s National Honor Service Award with Distinction. The college’s International programs have won many poster awards during national and international academic meetings. Recently, VCOM was ranked 5th in the country for graduates entering primary care. VCOM and its administration have received the National Minority Access Award for many years for programs that welcome minority students who have entered the college. VCOM was recognized by Insight into Diversity's HEED award for commitment to diversity. In addition, the college has received several awards for contributions to rural health. The VCOM annual report has received several international awards and was exhibited not only nationally but internationally highlighting the College’s contributions.
In national rankings, VCOM consistently ranks in the lowest in tuition of all private medical schools. VCOM believes working to keep tuition low will allow graduates the opportunity to serve in rural and medically underserved areas. The college’s medical students from each campus win awards yearly for the many outreach activities of their student organizations, often winning national chapter of the year. The VCOM sports medicine program and fellowship is one of the best in the country, providing care for the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Auburn Tigers, the Radford University Highlanders, the U.S. Olympic Ski Team, and the ULM Warhawks. The greatest accomplishment of all is that these awards do not come from participating in a competition for an award but for being recognized for the good work our students and faculty do every day.
VCOM sustains an environment for innovative, impactful research that is well-positioned for long-term success. VCOM and its partners collaborate on research that will improve the quality of healthcare in our communities and throughout the world. (To learn more about VCOM outcomes, see the College Outcomes Report.)
All VCOM campuses are fully accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), the only U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting body for osteopathic colleges.
VCOM is committed to the Mission, to the well-being of our students and to producing high-quality physicians.
Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO
President