91�㽶��Ƶ

As a child growing up in Huntington, W.Va., John Apgar, D.O., didn’t know that he’d one day attend the medical school his grandfather helped create. In fact, the Marshall University biology major wasn’t sure he wanted to be a physician. “My family always told me to do what makes me happy,” Apgar said. “As I went through college, they said that no matter what I decided, they would be there to support me. Since medical school is such a commitment, it was a difficult decision to make. I toyed with other professions but in the end I chose medicine.”

The Class of 2019 graduate’s grandfather was Carlton Apgar, D.O., one of 91�㽶��Ƶ’s four founders. Along with three other osteopathic physicians — O.J. Bailes, Don Newell Sr. and Frank Wallington — Apgar worked in 1972 to form the Greenbrier College of Osteopathic Medicine to educate medical professionals to treat patients in rural West Virginia and throughout Appalachia. The institution opened in 1974 and was renamed the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine two years later.

Apgar’s family connection to medicine runs even deeper than that, as both of his parents also are osteopathic physicians. In all, he has six family members who are physicians and a handful of relatives who work in other medical professions such as nursing and physical therapy.

With so many role models serving as inspiration, it’s no wonder that Apgar took on a leadership position during his time at 91�㽶��Ƶ. He was Student Government Association (SGA) vice president for the 2016-17 academic year, and his tenure was an active one from the start. Just eight days before he took office, one of the worst floods in West Virginia history hit Greenbrier County, destroying homes and washing away roads. Apgar and the SGA president-elect got to work quickly, coordinating student efforts to help clean up after the disaster.

Apgar subsequently received the Cheryl and Michael Adelman 91�㽶��Ƶ Leadership Scholarship, awarded to students who demonstrate character and leadership and who have the potential to be future leaders in the osteopathic profession. He said 91�㽶��Ƶ’s Class of 2019 exemplified the spirit of cooperation that’s an essential part of leadership.

“Having a great team around you is important, and our class was a phenomenal one,” he said. “We were very collaborative and would always come together in order to get through problems. We were able to talk with one another and pick each other up when we were down, to be there for each other through any hardships.”

Apgar, who began a family medicine residency at Marshall University’s School of Medicine this past summer, said he envisions himself someday helping to shape legislation that positively impacts West Virginia’s medical professionals and improves the health of citizens of the Mountain State.

“One of the specialty tracks within my residency program is health policy, and it allows you time to work with state legislators,” the Huntington native said. “I think that’s an important part of medicine — being aware of what’s going on in the legislative environment and advocating for policies that are beneficial to your community. So I’d like to eventually be involved with policy along with caring for patients and having my own practice.”

But no matter where his journey takes him, Apgar said he’ll forever treasure the family that helped shape him into the person he is — and helped make 91�㽶��Ƶ a school that produces well-educated physicians.

“It’s been a privilege and an honor to come from such a unique family, and I’m proud of being the grandson of one of 91�㽶��Ƶ’s founders,” Apgar said. “In graduating from the school, I feel like I’ve had an opportunity to continue what my family started. It will always be a special connection for me.”