Press Kit

IntroducingVCOM

Who We Are The Edward Via College of

Why VCOM The United States is currently

Research Building on its mission and a tradition of successful innovation and collaboration, VCOM’s research division has developed breakthroughs in genomics, medical treatment, sports medicine, testing and pharmaceuticals that will serve people in the United States and across the globe.

Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is an innovative, private, non-profit, four-year osteopathic medical school in Blacksburg, Virginia with campuses in Spartanburg, South Carolina and Auburn, Alabama. VCOM provides an economic impact of over $130 million annually across its three campuses. Our Mission and Values VCOM was founded in 2001 because of the physician shortage in the United States, especially in the rural and medically underserved areas such as the Appalachian region in the southeast United States. VCOM’s mission is to prepare globally-minded, community- focused physicians to meet the Osteopathic Medicine— What is a DO? Osteopathic physicians (DOs) and allopathic physicians (MDs) are the only physicians who are fully licensed to practice all aspects of medicine, from prescribing medication to performing surgery. DOs have unique, additional training to perform osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), learning to manipulate the bones and muscles for a safe and effective treatment without surgery or medication for a wide variety of ailments. needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promote research to improve human health.

experiencing a physician shortage that is only expected to get worse. By 2030, it’s estimated there will be a shortage of 100,000 physicians. VCOM’s goal is to recruit students from rural areas where these shortages are felt the hardest; provide a well-rounded, service- oriented medical education; and return these students as primary care doctors in the communities that need them the most.

Our Campuses Virginia A public/private collaborative partnership between VCOM–Virginia and Virginia Tech maximizes research partnerships and allows students to enjoy university activities while still maintaining the close-knit sense of a private college. Carolinas

New York

Kentucky VCOM–Carolinas is part of the College Town Initiative developed by the City of Spartanburg to support and connect the seven colleges in the area, providing social and community service activities for students to feel at home in this vibrant community. Auburn Operating in a collaborative

Pennsylvania

Ohio

Maryland

West Virginia

Blacksburg Virginia

partnership with Auburn University, VCOM–Auburn partners in research and provides students

North Carolina

Tennessee

access to a variety of university events while the campus itself maintains the nurturing feel of a small, private college.

Spartanburg South Carolina

Auburn Alabama

Georgia

Mississippi

Appalachian Region Target and Appalachian States

Florida