Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

JACOB COMPTON VCU Class of ‘22

From the Caribbean islands to a suburb of New York City, Jacob’s education has taken him all over the world.

Even so, there’s no place like Southwest Virginia, which is exactly where Jacob intends to return to practice after he has completed his M.D. Originally from Lebanon, Virginia, Jacob always knew that he wanted to become a doctor. “I was able to see what was needed back home and where I could make the biggest difference,” Jacob said. “It always came back to medicine.”

“My family is extremely important to me, and the program at the Higher Ed Center allowed me to stay home with them,” he said. The presence of his professor on-site was a major selling point, as it ensured the program’s quality remained high. "It felt like a tighter-knit community, and we developed great relationships with each other and Dr. Williams," he said.

He began his educational journey at Southwest Virginia Community College, where he was introduced to the medical laboratory sciences program offered through Virginia Commonwealth University at the Higher Education Center. The program turned out to be the perfect preparation for the rigorous courses

“I couldn’t recommend doing Medical Lab Science more. Having that before medical school was invaluable to me.”

he would face in medical school. “I couldn’t recommend doing medical lab science more,” Jacob said. “Having that before medical school was invaluable to me.” Thanks to his undergraduate experience, he was even able to tutor microbiology and hematology during his didactic years. While Jacob is thankful that he was introduced to the medical lab sciences program, he’s equally as thankful that he didn’t have to leave the area to achieve his degree. By commuting from home, he saved thousands on room and board and enjoyed a lower cost of living.

Upon completing his medical lab sciences degree in 2022, Jacob enrolled in medical school at St. George’s University. He will finish his residency in 2029, and then plans to return to his hometown to go into family or internal medicine. “There’s nowhere like Southwest Virginia to grow up, to raise a family,” said Jacob. “It’s home. After everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve yet to find anywhere that’s better.”

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Great People, Greater Stories

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