Winter Commencement 2021

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Dixie Tooke-Rawlins

Dr. Dixie Tooke-Rawlins is the President and Provost of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 2001, as the Founding Dean, she was the principal academic administrator in the development of the College as a collaborative partner with Virginia Tech. In 2010, as the Senior Dean, she led the college in establishing a Carolinas branch campus and in 2015 as Provost, in opening the Auburn Campus in partnership with Auburn University. In 2019, as President & Provost, she led the college in establishing the Louisiana Campus. Dr. Tooke-Rawlins holds the academic title of Professor in Family Medicine. Dr. Tooke-Rawlins is a graduate of Truman University and Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM). Initially board certified in emergency medicine and family medicine, she remains certified in family medicine. She practiced 8 years in emergency medicine and 15 years in family medicine before entering full time academic medicine. She served as a family medicine residency director for 6 years in Michigan and Pennsylvania and as a Director of Medical Education. Prior to her current appointment she served as the Associate Clinical Dean and as Interim Dean for KCOM. Dr. Tooke-Rawlins has received many awards for her academic career including the 2003 Distinguished Service Award from KCOM Alumni Association, Resident Educator Award 2003, the 2008 SOMA Foundation George W. Northrup Educator of the Year Award, the 2008 Outstanding Faculty Leader Award by the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), the 2009 International Service Award by the Medical Society of Virginia, the 2008 Virginia Rural Health Association’s Charles Crowder Award, the 2009 Local Legends Award by AMWA displayed in the Smithsonian Library of Medicine, the 2012 National Minority Access Role Model Award, and the 2011 National Educator of the Year Award and the 2011 Mentor Hall of Fame from the American Osteopathic Foundation.