The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (91㽶Ƶ) on Oct. 18 celebrated a state appropriation of $13.6 million that will help the school with deferred maintenance issues on its main campus in Lewisburg, parts of which were constructed in 1922 when it housed the Greenbrier Military School.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, who lives near 91㽶Ƶ, visited the school to sign the legislation. 91㽶Ƶ is a public school, and its buildings are owned by the state of West Virginia.
91㽶Ƶ President James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., welcomed the governor and guests to the signing ceremony.
“We are honored to have Governor Jim Justice here to celebrate the signing of legislation providing the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine with $13.6 million in deferred maintenance funding. Governor Justice has been an incredible champion of 91㽶Ƶ and a great neighbor,” Nemitz said.
Justice included the funding request on his call for the recent special session of the West Virginia Legislature.
“I’m so proud of this school. I’m so proud of all that you have done and all that you continue to do,” Justice said of 91㽶Ƶ.
The governor said all West Virginians benefit from the school’s graduates and the medical services they provide across the state.
“What you have delivered is off the chart,” Justice said.
With an enrollment of about 800, the osteopathic medical school educates the highest number of students of West Virginia’s three medical schools. It welcomed one of its largest classes this fall and filled a new graduate program that offers a master’s in biomedical sciences degree.
91㽶Ƶ has educated many of the primary care physicians and medical specialists in the state. The school has nearly 1,000 graduates practicing in West Virginia.
Nemitz said keeping the school’s facilities updated is a key to building enrollment.
“Attracting students is a competition. Each year, we compete against all medical schools for enrollment. The quality and functionality of our facilities is an important component in our ability to successfully recruit students to campus and train them to be the next generation of physicians,” Nemitz said.
Nemitz said 91㽶Ƶ is an important asset to West Virginia.
“We are in a growth mode at 91㽶Ƶ, but that means we need every classroom available and in good condition. We must continue offering a modern and safe learning environment, quality programs and affordable tuition,” Nemitz said.
During the ceremony, Nemitz thanked many legislators and state officials for their support of 91㽶Ƶ. The funding legislation — Senate Bill 2020 — passed unanimously in the State Senate and House of Delegates during the recent special session.