LEWISBURG, W.Va. – The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) took time to celebrate current employees with an event that unofficially begins the summer.
The school’s Employee Celebration, hosted by WVSOM’s Office of Human Resources, took place June 10. It recognizes employees who go above and beyond in their work, employees with milestone years of service and retirees.
WVSOM distributed 18 awards in six categories.
Leslie Bicksler, WVSOM’s chief human resources officer, said it’s important to take time to recognize employees who make a daily commitment to educating future osteopathic physicians.
“This celebration is all about you — the incredible individuals who keep WVSOM moving forward. It’s our opportunity to honor your contributions, celebrate retirements, recognize career growth and enjoy time together as a community,” Bicksler said to kick off the event. “What sets us apart isn’t just our mission, it’s our people. Your integrity, your dedication, your passion — those are the things that make WVSOM the kind of place you want to work, stay and even retire from.”
The event recognized 11 new retirees: Suzanne Fry, Tim Garrow, Ph.D., Joan Gates, Dale Jackson, Charles McClung, D.O., Mary Norris, Ph.D., Ernest Piercy, Cliff Stone, Jack Thatcher, Ph.D., James Wadding, D.O., and Cheryl Workman. Piercy, the institution’s warehouse supervisor and WVSOM’s longest-serving employee, has worked at the medical school for more than 47 years.
The Rising Star Award honors a newly hired employee who has already demonstrated a strong commitment to the school, an understanding of how their position supports the school’s mission and a commitment to working with others to engage the school’s future. This year was a tie with winners Grettell Celeiro, a campus service worker, and Daniel Cook, WVSOM’s network manager.
The Statewide Campus Pride Award recognizes an employee in one of WVSOM’s seven Statewide Campus regions who goes above and beyond in their service to WVSOM and the students they serve. The employee recognized is people-oriented, respectful, innovative, dedicated and effective. Michael Peterson, D.O., regional assistant dean of the South Central Region of the Statewide Campus, was this year’s recipient.
This was the first year WVSOM presented the Gwen Clingman Heart of Gold Award, which celebrates the life and legacy of community member Gwen Clingman. A cousin of Roland Sharp, WVSOM’s first president, Clingman’s connection to the medical school ran deep. She supported students by providing meals from her downtown Lewisburg store and offered mentorship and emotional encouragement. The award will be given annually to an employee who embodies Clingman’s spirit of service, compassion and integrity. Honorees are recognized for their unwavering dedication, professionalism and ability to foster connection across the institution. This year’s inaugural winner was Andrea Nazar, D.O., a professor and chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences.
The Living Our Mission Award recognizes WVSOM staff who exemplify professional excellence, an understanding of and commitment to WVSOM, and a commitment to achieving the school’s mission. Not only are these employees living the mission, they are also working to engage WVSOM’s future. This year’s winners were Chad Burns, Julie Cepec, Sarah Day, Eric Dixon, Hilary Hamric, D.O., Sherri Miller, Julie Morgan, Derrick Poage, Jason Thomas and Mark VanBuren.
The President’s Outstanding Faculty Award is provided to two faculty members in recognition of their excellence in teaching and commitment to osteopathic medical education. Courtney Eleazer, Ph.D., and Kathleen Martin, M.D., received this year’s awards.
The President’s Outstanding Employee Award, given annually to two individuals identified through a vote by WVSOM faculty and staff as outstanding employees for the current academic year, recognizes exceptional and dedicated service. This year’s winners were Mara Davis, program coordinator of graduate programs, and Scott Maxwell, graduate medical education technical manager.
The celebration also recognized employees for years of service. Thirteen employees achieved 15 years of service as of June 2025 and six achieved 20 years of service. Kim LaBrie, admissions program coordinator, achieved 25 years of service and Chester Loudermilk, a landscape worker, has been with WVSOM for 30 years.
WVSOM President James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., said the event celebrates the dedicated faculty and staff whose talent, energy and unwavering commitment make WVSOM an inspiring place to learn, grow and thrive.
“Each of you plays a vital role in our mission and I want to take this moment to say thank you,” he said. “Whether you’re teaching in the classroom, supporting our students behind the scenes, maintaining our beautiful campus or leading from your corner of campus — you are the heart of this institution.”
Nemitz introduced faculty promotions and tenures that will take effect July 1.
Brian Griffith, Ph.D., a faculty member in the school’s Department of Biomedical Sciences, was promoted to professor, and Andy Kelso, Ph.D., of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, was promoted to associate professor. Chelsea Feger, D.O., and Christopher Kennedy, D.O., both of the Department of Clinical Sciences, received tenure and were promoted to associate professor. Aaron McGuffin, M.D., of the Department of Clinical Sciences, received tenure and was promoted to professor.
WVSOM currently employs about 310 people.
