LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – West Virginia, the home state of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), has the fourth highest number of osteopathic physicians per capita, according to a new report.
The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) recently published its inaugural Osteopathic Medical Education Impact Report, which analyzes how osteopathic medical schools drive local economies and address primary care and rural health shortages. AACOM is a nonprofit organization that supports the 44 accredited osteopathic medical schools in the U.S.
The report notes that only three states have more osteopathic physicians per capita than West Virginia. Michigan, Maine and Pennsylvania rank first, second and third highest, respectively. It states that there are 1,216 osteopathic physicians practicing in West Virginia.
Of the schools participating in AACOM’s report, WVSOM ranks second nationwide in the percentage of alumni who practice in rural areas. The report states that 29% of WVSOM graduates work in rural areas, compared with 12% among graduates of all osteopathic medical schools and 10% among allopathic and osteopathic physicians combined.
Additionally, the report indicates that WVSOM ranks sixth nationwide in the percentage of alumni who practice in medically underserved areas. It states that 26% of WVSOM graduates work in medically underserved areas, compared with 16% among graduates of all osteopathic medical schools.
James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., WVSOM’s president, said the school has long been a leader in producing physicians for rural locations.
“WVSOM is the leading contributor to West Virginia’s physician workforce and has been recognized nationally,” Nemitz said. “I am pleased our state has such a large number of physicians who are trained in osteopathic medicine, and I am proud many of this school’s graduates do the essential work of caring for patients in rural and medically underserved communities throughout the nation.”
The report also details the economic impact of each school, based on data from the 2023 fiscal year and using a model by IMPLAN, a company that provides economic impact data and analytical applications. It states that WVSOM’s total impact for that year was $136 million, including direct, indirect and induced impacts.
AACOM’s report, which was conducted by EY Quantitative Economics and Statistics, states that nationwide, nearly 30% of all medical students are enrolled in osteopathic medical programs. A total of 8,428 D.O. degrees were conferred in 2024 in the U.S.
Robert Cain, D.O., AACOM’s president and CEO, said in a press release that osteopathic medical schools play a key role in addressing the nation’s primary care and rural health shortages.
“Across America, communities are facing the harsh realities of the national physician shortage and an overstretched health care system. This report demonstrates osteopathic medical education’s vital role in shaping a healthier future for all. Our schools are training physicians who serve where they’re needed most and fueling local economies along the way,” Cain said.
