LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) students in the Class of 2026 were recognized for their achievements during a Graduation Awards Ceremony on April 30. Graduation awards totaled $266,662, with students recognized in 33 categories including awards, scholarships and membership in national organizations.
This year’s class consisted of 183 graduates, with 80 graduates entering primary care residency programs and a 99% residency placement rate for the class.
The event recognized 19 students who graduated with honors. In addition, 26 students were recognized as members of Psi Sigma Alpha, a national osteopathic scholastic honor society. Eleven students were recognized with American Medical Women’s Association Glasgow-Rubin Certificates of Commendation for Academic Achievement. Thirty-eight students received cords reflecting their membership in Sigma Sigma Phi – Nu Chapter, a national osteopathic medicine fraternity that supports medical scholastic excellence.
One student received a stole recognizing membership in Omega Beta Iota, a national osteopathic political action honor society. Twenty-seven students from the Class of 2026 were inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, a national honor society comprising medical students, physicians and leaders who have been recognized for compassionate care. Thirteen graduates matched to military residencies.
WVSOM President James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., said the ceremony is one of the many ways to celebrate four years of achievements for students entering the workforce as new physicians.
“The end of the academic year is such an electrifying time, and we love having our graduates back on campus to celebrate years of hard work. This event helps ease some of the financial burden and debt many graduates incur when making the decision to serve others,” he said. “It is a true accomplishment to say someone graduated from medical school, and I’m glad we could celebrate them in this way. I’m proud of each and every graduate.”
Donette Mizia, WVSOM’s executive director of foundation relations, said it’s important to commemorate medical school milestones.
“The Graduation Awards Ceremony reflects the academic excellence of our students and the collective generosity that supports them along their journey,” she said. “These scholarships and awards help recognize years of dedication while relieving some of the financial pressure students carry into residency. Because of our donors’ continued commitment, we are able to celebrate achievement, expand opportunities and strengthen the future of health care in our communities.”
The Graduation Awards Ceremony celebrates fourth-year students’ memberships in various national honor societies and includes scholarships and awards specifically created for WVSOM through the school’s WVSOM Foundation and WVSOM Alumni Association. Those who wish to become financial supporters have a variety of options to contribute and can do so online at www.wvsomfoundation.org/give-online or by calling 304-793-6852.
2026 Graduation Awards Ceremony recipients included:
Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award — Ethaniel Galloway
Student D.O. of the Year — Kristen Bowman
WVSOM Alumni Association Roland P. Sharp Graduate Award — Thomas Skoff
Olen E. Jones Jr. and WVSOM Foundation Academic Achievement Award — Esabelle Gervasio
Opal Price Sharp Memorial Fund Award — Ashley Kapinos
Olivia Claire Obrokta Pediatric Award — Josie Joseph
National Health Service Corps Scholars — Hayley Cruz, Dylan Grimard and Apongnwu Tete
WVSOM’s Rural Health Initiative — Hannah Ankrom, Alec Balon, Stephen Bechtel, Logan Christian, Kathryn Farrell, Reece Fletcher, John Gallagher, Ethaniel Galloway, Katherine Holmes, Anas Huggi, Valentina Menchero-Machado, Dina Mohamed-Aly, Carrie Proctor, Daniel Proctor, Robert Snidow III, Oran Trimble, William Underwood, Kassey Wagner and Sierra Wright
MSOPTI West Virginia Primary Care Scholars Award — Hannah Ankrom, Cyrus Falsafi and Dylan Grimard
West Virginia Emulation Endowment Trust/Dr. Olen E. Jones Jr. Scholarship — Hannah Ankrom and Benjamin Jack
Legacy Scholarship Endowment Award — Ethaniel Galloway
WVSOM Foundation Scholars Award — Patrick Farry II
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia Farson-Smith-Earley Award — Hannah Ankrom
Donald Newell Sr. Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior — Logan Christian
Gwen Clingman Memorial Scholarship — Zainab Calcuttawala
Stephanie Dawn Barragy Memorial Scholarship — Peyton Collias
Dr. Catherine A. Bishop Scholarship — Logan Christian
David Hinchman, D.O., Emergency Medicine Scholarship — John Gallagher
Andy R. Tanner and D. Dewayne Duncan Diversity Scholarship — Anna Chiaro
Dr. William R. Holmes Jr. Scholarship Award — Mitchell Fornwald
West Virginia Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians Award — Makenzie Casto
Order of Vesalius Award — Benjamin Jack and Sierra Wright
RAMS Head Award — Hannah Ankrom and Summer McElwain
Clinical Sciences Award — Kristen Bowman
Statewide Campus Outstanding Student Awards — Peter Lindhome and Helena Zatawski received recognition for the Central East Region; Reece Fletcher and Rachael Huebler received recognition for the Central West Region; Guinevere Johnson and Deekshitha Tella received recognition for the Eastern Region; Kesha Amin and Thomas Skoff received recognition for the Northern Region; Logan Christian, Brian Hall, Josie Joseph and Emilie Morse received recognition for the South Central Region; Soren Beal and John Gallagher received recognition for the South East Region; and Dalton McCown and Claudia Studebaker-DeMartino received recognition for the South West Region
Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award — Lubna Huggi, spouse of Anas Huggi
