Lawmakers hear update of ‘strategic growth’ at WVSOM
By Matthew Young, RealWV
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – “I want you to know that WVSOM is achieving its mission, and WVSOM is a quality medical school.”
That’s what WVSOM (West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine) President James Nemitz told lawmakers in Charleston on Sunday, during a meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Education.
“One of the ways I know that is through the accrediting process,” Nemitz explained. “WVSOM is accredited by two accrediting bodies: the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits all of the institutions of higher ed in the state, as well as the American Osteopathic Association’s Council on Accreditation for our DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) program.”
Nemitz, along with WVSOM’s Associate Dean of Research and Sponsored Programs Dr. Dovenia Ponnoth, was on-hand to provide committee-members with an update regarding the school’s “strategic growth.” Don Smith, Associate Vice President of Government and External Relations, was also in attendance.
“What makes the school special, of course, is our people,” Nemitz said. “It’s always about our people – our wonderful students, but also the incredible faculty and staff that we have.”
Nemitz noted that WVSOM employs numerous doctors who are recognized as experts in their field at both the national and international level, before reiterating that, “WVSOM is doing well.”
“Our enrollment is strong,” Nemitz noted. “We have more than 4,000 applicants for 216 seats for our DO program. We are, in fact, the largest medical school in the state by the number of students. We have over 800 currently – we have 826 medical students at our school.”
At $23,950 per year, Nemitz added, WVSOM boasts the lowest in-state tuition cost for students.
“What you may not know is that we started our first graduate program,” Nemitz said. “This program is a nine-month Master’s program in Bio-Medical Sciences.
According to Nemitz, the program is intended to “help students who want to go to medical school, but just don’t have the academic numbers that they need.”
“Here are the numbers for our first class,” Nemitz noted, “We matriculated 26 students. Out of that 26, 24 graduated. Out of that 24, 22 applied to our school. 21 are sitting in the first-year class, and they’re all doing well.”
“It’s been an extremely successful program, so we doubled the program,” Nemitz added. “We’re now at 47 students, and 30 of those students are West Virginians.”
Following Nemitz, Dr. Dovenia Ponnoth briefly addressed the committee, saying, “There are exciting developments at our institution, and most of it really is on the back of the $35 million expansion of our research facilities.”
“This investment is fueling innovation and growth right in our communities,” Ponnoth explained. “In recent months I have travelled extensively across West Virginia, and throughout the country. My goal has really been to listen to people, to hear what the needs and trends are in current research, and to explore possible partnerships for our school.”
The $35 million research facility expansion referenced by Ponnoth was announced earlier this year. Once completed, the project will see the Frederick W. Smith Science Building on WVSOM’s Lewisburg campus expanded and fully remodeled to offer students and research partners additional learning opportunities and work areas.
“What I can tell you is this: people are eager to hear what we have to say and are listening to what we have to offer,” Ponnoth noted. “Whether it is local companies in Lewisburg, or throughout the state – as well as [locations] such as New York, Boston, Nebraska, or California – the interest has been tremendous.”
“People are excited about WVSOM, and they’re excited about West Virginia,” Ponnoth added.
The West Virginia Legislature will begin its 2026 Regular Session on Wednesday, January 14.
