WVSOM graduates awarded an estimated $87,400 at ceremony acknowledging achievements
LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS) — The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) graduates in the Class of 2025 were acknowledged for their successes during an awards ceremony.
According to a press release, the medical school graduates received awards amounting to an estimated $87,400 on May 1, 2025. Students were acknowledged in more than thirty categories, including awards, scholarships and memberships in nationwide organizations.
The Class of 2025 was comprised of 185 students, with 98 graduates going into primary care residency programs and a 100 percent rate of residency placement for the class, the release stated.
The ceremony highlighted 19 graduates who finished their education with honors. Also, graduates were acknowledged as members of Psi Sigma Alpha, a nationwide osteopathic scholastic honor society, the release noted. 12 graduates were given recognition through American Medical Women's Association Glasgow-Rubin Certificates of Commendation for Academic Achievement.
31 students were given cords that represent their membership in Sigma Sigma Phi – Nu Chapter, an osteopathic medicine fraternity that bolsters scholastic achievement. 31 graduates were inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, a nationwide honor society made up of medical students, physicians, and leaders that have been acknowledged for their compassion, the release noted. Thirteen graduates were highlighted for their service in the military.
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I am proud of all of our students and their many accomplishments. It is truly remarkable to see such gifted individuals dedicate their lives to serving others.
James W. Nemitz, Ph.D. | President, WVSOM
This year was the first time the Triplett Scholarship was awarded, which was distributed through funds by the WVSOM Foundation, an organization that supports the medical school. Their aim is to serve the institution and students by securing, managing and allocating the financial contributions of businesses and individuals, the release stated.
The scholarship was launched to recognize a graduate from George Washington or Man high schools who is in the top 10 percent of their class. Students from Kanawha County and Logan County are considered, as well.
Madison Marshall, a native of St. Albans, was named as the recipient of the award, and stated she is grateful to be the first graduate to be selected for it. She is set to begin an orthopedic surgery residency in California at Community Memorial Health System.
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This award — especially with the West Virginia criteria — makes me proud. Being from a smaller town and being honored for this scholarship means the world to me. I feel blessed that someone was willing to pay it forward and give back to future physicians. I'm glad there are people who feel it in their hearts to give back and ease the debt for us, and hopefully I can do the same in the future.
Madison Marshall | Class of 2025 graduate, WVSOM
The executive director of foundation relations for WVSOM, Donette Mizia, expressed that witnessing the expansion of awards and scholarships is promising for the ongoing support of future graduates from the school.
It's always inspiring to see our students recognized for their hard work, and the Graduation Awards Ceremony highlights what a difference donor support can make. Watching our scholarship funds' growth, including the Triplett Scholarship's introduction, is exciting and shows how our community is stepping up to invest in the next generation of physicians. We are deeply grateful to our donors, whose generosity directly supports the success of our graduates.
Donette Mizia | Executive director of foundation relations, WVSOM
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The recipients of the 2025 Graduation Awards Ceremony, as listed in the release, are:
Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award — Claire Drotman and Michael Peterson, D.O.
Student D.O. of the Year — Courtney Merwin
WVSOM Alumni Association Roland P. Sharp Graduate Award — Caleb Duncan, Wyatt Bell and Zoe Harold
Olen E. Jones Jr. and WVSOM Foundation Academic Achievement Award — Natalie Fabrizio
Opal Price Sharp Memorial Fund Award — Olivia George
Olivia Claire Obrokta Pediatric Award — Chris Roditis
WVSOM's Rural Health Initiative — Donald Adkins, Nicholas Adkins, Cody Cawthon, Alyssa Chafin, Caleb Duncan, Natalie Fabrizio, Cody Fuller, Charles Lafferty, Maria Mace, Laurel Markert, Dominic Muttillo, Kymbre Robinson, Madison Robinson, Sarah Socrates, Brenna Taylor and Hannah White
MSOPTI West Virginia Primary Care Scholars Award — Nicholas Adkins, Emma Ellis and Brian Tyler Moore
West Virginia Emulation Endowment Trust/Dr. Olen E. Jones Jr. Scholarship — Hannah Brehm, Caleb Duncan and Cody Fuller
Legacy Scholarship Endowment — Claire Drotman
WVSOM Foundation Scholars — Hannah Brehm and Abigail Effingham Ntumba
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia Farson-Smith-Earley Award — Dominic Muttillo
Donald Newell Sr. Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior — Cody Fuller
Gwen Clingman Memorial Scholarship — Kayla Underwood
Drs. John and Nancy Chambers Memorial Scholarship Fund Award — Olivia George
Stephanie Dawn Barragy Memorial Scholarship — Korie Robinson
Dr. Catherine A. Bishop Scholarship Fund Award — Hannah Brehm
David Hinchman, D.O., Emergency Medicine Award — Kayla Underwood
Dr. William R. Holmes Jr. Scholarship Award — Claire Schoyer
Eugene McClung, M.D., Family Scholarship — Courtney Merwin
Triplett Scholarship — Madison Marshall
West Virginia Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians Award — Sarah McQueen
Order of Vesalius Award — Joshua Lawson
RAMS Head Award — Jessica Coxon and Daniel Hussion
Clinical Sciences Award — Olivia Bell and Zoe Harold
Statewide Campus Outstanding Student Awards — Natalie Fabrizio and Riley Palmquist received recognition for the Central East region; Gillian Gaunt and Louis Mauro received recognition for the Central West region; Anthony Grillo and Caroline Kayes received recognition for the Eastern region; Jillian Keyte and Casey O'Doherty received recognition for the Northern region; Steven Celmins, John Tyler Craig, Madison Marshall and Sarah McQueen received recognition for the South Central region; Jason Mitton and Alyssa Turner received recognition for the South East region; and Jennifer Ali and Shashank Singh received recognition for the South West region
Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award — Kenesha Bell, spouse of Wyatt Bell
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The awards ceremony acknowledges fourth year students and their memberships in national honor societies, as well as giving scholarships and awards created for WVSOM through the WVSOM Foundation and the WVSOM Alumni Association, the release stated. For more information on the awards and how to become a financial supporter, visit their website or call 304-793-6852.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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