CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) — A group of physicians who spent time in Charleston Area Medical Center’s (CAMC) urology residency program, which was co-created and developed by James Tierney, D.O., have shown how much the program impacted them through financial contributions to a scholarship in Tierney’s name.
The James Tierney, D.O., Legacy Scholarship was created in October 2024 in honor of Tierney, a 1980 West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) graduate. A year later, Samuel Deem, D.O., and the WVSOM Foundation, the school’s nonprofit office responsible for philanthropic efforts, worked together to encourage other physicians to donate. The scholarship currently totals $94,992.
“Creating the urology residency at CAMC developed as the need for urologic care in West Virginia was so great. I thought the best way to increase the number of urologists and establish a high bar for quality urologic care was to establish a residency,” Tierney said. “Starting any residency can be daunting, but with the AOA [American Osteopathic Association] and CAMC on board, the idea took off. My initial goal was to attract WVSOM graduates to urology knowing that, if successful, this would provide generations of urologists for West Virginia patients. I am proud of how our program has developed and continues to thrive.”
Deem, a Class of 2004 graduate, along with Joshua Lohri, D.O., Class of 2006; Faith Payne, D.O., Class of 2007; Cordell Davis, D.O., Class of 2008; Stephen Phillips, D.O., Class of 2012; Nathan Hale, D.O.; Michael Stencel, D.O.; and Matthew Allaway, D.O., and his wife, Kelli Allaway, founders of Perineologic, a medical device company focused on developing technology that improves safety in precision, have financially contributed.
“J.P. Tierney influenced my life even more than I realized at the time. He made me want to be a better surgeon, physician and man,” Deem said.
Deem was the second resident in the urological program and graduated from the residency in 2010. He has been involved with every resident trained at CAMC and is now program director of the residency built by Tierney.
“We all owe a great deal to Dr. Tierney for his steadfast belief in creating and developing what I consider to be one of the greatest residency programs in the state. He didn’t lead by pacifying us and being nice. He made us understand what a truly difficult calling it is to be someone’s doctor,” he said. “His disciplined approach is hands down the greatest influence on my successful career. Giving back in his honor while he is still here to see it was an important small step to show my appreciation for all that he has done for me.”
Matthew Allaway worked at CAMC with Tierney as part of the West Virginia University Urology Residency Program. At the time, each chief resident was assigned to Charleston for six months. Allaway, who completed the rotation in 2001, was the first D.O. to be accepted into WVU’s urology program.
“The mission and vision for the WVSOM scholarship were very compelling and we both felt that this was a cause we wanted to support,” Kelli Allaway said. “I was raised in southern West Virginia and recognize some of the hurdles many young West Virginians may face. Focusing on keeping our talented physicians in the area is something we feel strongly about.” The Allaways’ medical company values giving back through fundraising.
“Organizations that prioritize philanthropic efforts can have a significant positive impact by providing resources, opportunities and support that may not otherwise be available,” Kelli said. “The hope is that this will create long-term benefits by empowering individuals and communities to improve their quality of life.”
The James Tierney, D.O., Legacy Scholarship will be distributed to a WVSOM student for the first time in spring 2027.
Deem said it is a blessing to see what the funds can do for a current student on their medical journey.
“I received a scholarship while at WVSOM and was honored to do so. I hope others can benefit in that same way and see a small token of the generosity from Dr. Tierney that I saw firsthand for many years,” he said.
Tierney has been a urologist at Charleston Area Medical Center since 1987. His postgraduate experience included an internship at Pinellas Park Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., followed by two years of general surgery at CAMC and a four-year urology residency at the University of Pittsburgh before returning to CAMC to practice.
Tierney and CAMC officials realized the need for urologists in West Virginia, so he and other physicians began the hospital’s urology residency program in 2006. He stepped away as program director three years ago but continues to promote the residency program through workshops at WVSOM.
