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Medical school has never been historically described as easy — a rigorous academic schedule, lifestyle changes and geographic relocations for some could be the perfect mix for new students to feel overwhelmed. 

While adjusting to medical school isn’t easy, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (91�㽶��Ƶ) works to ensure the success of its aspiring physicians from the first moment they step foot on the Lewisburg, W.Va., campus. 

The school’s orientation welcomed about 200 students in the Class of 2029 for a week of sessions that ranged from informational meetings to social events. It aimed to ease the transition from undergraduate school to medical school or a new career endeavor for first-year students. 

91�㽶��Ƶ President James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., acknowledged the challenges of medical school during his first address to the class. 

“Nothing is worth attaining if it doesn’t require effort. There are going to be ups and downs, just like any other journey. There are going to be good times and challenging times. But we’re here to see you succeed and be the best you can be,” he said. 

He encouraged the medical students to lean on their classmates as a valuable resource, as there is strength in working together. 

Linda Boyd, D.O., the school’s chief academic officer, explained how 91�㽶��Ƶ’s Finding Health curriculum incorporates a structure that allows students more time to reset and take care of themselves. 

“In medical school, your brain is your engine, and you need to take care of it so you can work at your top level. One of the most important things for brain health is sleep,” she said. “Nutrition is also important. If you’re living on junk food and simple carbohydrates, your brain is going to have sugar highs and sugar crashes. You want a balanced diet so your brain has the energy it needs to hold information. And stress management is important because medical school is stressful. Exercise is a great way to manage your stress. You get an increase in endorphins, which makes you feel good.”

During the week, new students had the opportunity to meet staff in the Office of Student Affairs, ask questions about 91�㽶��Ƶ from second-year students, receive school computers, try on white coats, complete a book discussion, receive Narcan training and learn about 91�㽶��Ƶ’s Academic Support and Intervention Resources (ASPIRE) department, which helps them adopt learning techniques and provides counseling to those who experience mental health issues. 

Aaron Phillips, Ph.D., 91�㽶��Ƶ’s interim associate dean of student affairs, shared how positive thinking is important throughout medical school.

“Instead of thinking, ‘I can’t do this, I’m afraid of making a mistake,’ think, ‘Mistakes are how I learn and grow.’ We all make mistakes, and it’s important to learn from them,” Phillips said. “If you’re sending negative thoughts to yourself, think about how you can rephrase them. It’s important to have a growth mindset. It leads to better academic performance, improved clinical skills, greater motivation and more positive relationships with others.”

A few activities that promoted relationship building were a scavenger hunt on campus and a community resource fair in which area businesses and nonprofit organizations showcased their services. The school also hosted a President’s Reception in which students and their families were invited to join administrators, faculty and staff in celebrating the start of the academic year. 

A Social Determinants of Health activity, the first mandatory event of the academic year, introduced the concept of social determinants of health, which encompasses nonmedical factors that impact a person’s health and quality of life. The social determinants of health are economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context.

The week ended with students choosing to go bowling, playing pickleball or hiking and a Day of Service volunteer event that immersed students in the community. 

Gail Swarm, D.O., 91�㽶��Ƶ’s interim senior associate dean of academic affairs, said one of the things that makes Lewisburg special is the community. 

“They love you guys. You’re the ‘O students.’ They love interacting with you,” she said. “There are a lot of things to do in this area. One of my favorites is the Greenbrier River Trail. The state forest is very close. There are a lot of different things to do — walking, jogging, riding a bike, fishing.”

The annual Day of Service took place July 26 with 250 faculty, staff, first- and second-year students volunteering at 18 locations in Greenbrier County. Through the school’s Translating Osteopathic Understanding into Community Health (T.O.U.C.H.) program, students engage in community service and are recognized for reaching different levels of volunteer hours in a given academic year.

Organizations that received assistance through the Day of Service were: Alderson Hospitality House, the Child and Youth Advocacy Center, Davis Stuart, Edgewood Presbyterian Church, God’s Way Home through a partnership with Greenbrier County CARE Coalition, Greenbrier Christian Retreat, Greenbrier County Committee on Aging, Greenbrier County Public Library, Greenbrier Humane Society, the Greenbrier River Watershed, Lewisburg Baptist Church and Academy, Montwell Commons, Renick Community Center, Seasons Place, the State Fair of West Virginia, Trinity United Methodist Church, West Virginia Healing Home and Williamsburg Community Fair. 

Orientation for 91�㽶��Ƶ’s Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program will take place Aug. 4-5 on campus.