Every great career starts with one bold move — a first step that says, “I’m ready to work hard to reach my goal.”
For the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine’s (91㽶Ƶ) Class of 2029, that step was symbolized by a White Coat Ceremony marking 215 students’ entry into the osteopathic medical profession. On Sept. 12, accompanied by family and friends gathered to watch them cross the stage and receive the coats they’ll wear throughout medical school, students committed to a life of serving patients.
For the first time, the White Coat Ceremony included graduates of 91㽶Ƶ’s nine-month Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree program, which launched in 2024 and is designed to prepare students for success in all health professions. Twenty of the program’s graduates are in the D.O. Class of 2029.
Tom Takubo, D.O., was the ceremony’s keynote speaker. The Chapmanville, W.Va., native is a 91㽶Ƶ Class of 1999 alumnus who founded Pulmonary Associates of Charleston, which became the state’s largest private pulmonary practice.
Takubo was elected to the West Virginia Senate in 2014. Throughout his tenure in politics, his leadership positions have included Senate majority leader, health chair and economic development chair. After transitioning to WVU Medicine in 2022, he became an executive vice president for provider relations.
He told the assembled students they made the correct decision in choosing 91㽶Ƶ as their medical school.
“The core knowledge is the same at any medical school. The important thing is the environment you’re in while you’re gathering that information. The technology and infrastructure here is second to none, and you’re with a faculty that’s more like family. They want to see you succeed,” Takubo said.
He spoke of the importance of empathy and compassion among physicians, relating an anecdote about Gwen Clingman, a former Lewisburg community member who supported students by providing meals and emotional encouragement from her downtown Lewisburg restaurant.
“A student had finished dinner at Gwen’s restaurant and realized he didn’t have enough cash to cover the bill, and he told her he needed to step out to grab his checkbook. He said, ‘I have $8,’ and Gwen made some notes on the check and said, ‘I made a mistake. Here’s your change,’ and she handed him $5,” Takubo said.
He asked students to extend the same consideration to those they serve in the future.
“As a physician, patients are going to come to you at the most vulnerable time in their lives, and sometimes you’ll be the only one with the power to help them,” he said. “You have two options: You can either use that leverage to look down at people, or you can reach down and pull as many people up as you can. I would ask you to practice with compassion for your entire career.”
Takubo also emphasized that it’s critical to maintain respect — for classmates, patients and other members of the health care teams they are members of.
“You are going to have a lot of knowledge, but you need to respect the nurses, the phlebotomists, the physicians who are lower in the pecking order than you, and all the other people you work with. Even Michael Jordan is nothing without his team,” he said.
James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., 91㽶Ƶ’s president and a longtime member of the school’s anatomy faculty, recalled meeting Takubo 30 years ago when he was a first-year student.
“Tom is one of the brightest medical students I’ve ever taught,” Nemitz said. “Today, he is one of the best pulmonologist/critical care doctors in the country. Physicians are also leaders in our communities, and in his legislative role, he’s a champion for health and economic development.”
Linda Boyd, D.O., 91㽶Ƶ’s chief academic officer, said completing medical school is challenging, but she and her team have worked to implement a “Finding Health” curriculum that’s academically rigorous while allowing students to maintain a sense of wellness. She advised members of the Class of 2029 to focus on their reasons for wanting to be a physician.
“Since starting at 91㽶Ƶ and working with faculty, we’ve committed to create a kinder, gentler medical school experience withenough breaks to maintain your spirit and humanity and to avoid burnout,” Boyd said. “It’s natural to get focused on your next test, your next lab, your next hurdle. But take time at least once a week to reflect on why you’re on this journey, because the ‘why’ will get you through the hard times. Before you know it you’ll be gathered here in 2029 to receive your degree and begin your careers,” Boyd said.
Other White Coat Ceremony speakers included Frederick Morgan, D.O., chair of the 91㽶Ƶ Board of Governors, and Ryan Newell, D.O., vice president of the 91㽶Ƶ Alumni Association.