Just months after being named VCOM-Carolinas’ Global Health Scholar, Robert Blake Eysler has received more recognition for his work in global health.
After 22 years of teaching, healing, and mentoring at VCOM, David G. Harden, DO, is retiring as discipline chair for Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and associate professor of OMM and Family Medicine at the Virginia campus. Although he is hanging up his white coat, Dr. Harden remains committed to the life of service that has defined his career as a physician, educator, mentor, and missionary.
For Drs. Ishani and Shivani Sharma, the road to becoming physicians has always been one they have traveled together. From growing up in Dallas, Texas, to earning biology degrees from the University of Texas at Dallas and master’s degrees in medical sciences from the University of North Texas Health Science Center, the fraternal twins have shared every milestone of their academic journey.
When Tal Carmy-Bennun ‘29, joined VCOM-Carolinas' medical outreach team in Honduras this summer, she launched a new glaucoma screening effort aimed at identifying eye disease before it leads to permanent vision loss.
It is well known that the U.S. is facing a physician shortage, with one study from the Association of Medical Colleges painting a bleak picture: There will be a shortage of 86,000 physicians by 2036.
In June, future physicians connected with future opportunities at VCOM's annual residency fair.
A new healthcare clinic is poised to expand access to care, strengthen physician training, and serve as a long-term investment in the health of Northeast Louisiana.
The St. Francis Family Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Clinic —operated by FMOL Health | St. Francis in affiliation with VCOM-Louisiana—will offer family medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), sports medicine services and serve as a training site for future physicians.
Determining how to pay for medical school can be stressful for students across the country. But at VCOM, our financial aid staff is part of the community that supports students throughout their medical education. Jan A. Belton, who serves as director of financial aid for VCOM-Carolinas, recently earned the FAAC® designation from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' accredited Certified Financial Aid Administrator® (CFAA) Program.
On June 17, VCOM-Carolinas proudly recognized two outstanding resident physicians for their commitment to humanism, teaching, and patient-centered care through the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award (HETA).
Construction has begun on the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)-Louisiana CAREPATH mobile medical unit storage and disaster response facility. CAREPATH—short for “VCOM Supports the Community: Assess, Respond, Engage, Provide Access, Treat, Heal”— reflects VCOM-Louisiana’s commitment to meeting community needs through outreach, access, treatment, and compassionate care.
From national student awards to research recognition and leadership appointments, the 2026 Annual Clinical Conference of the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (AOASM) became a showcase for VCOM’s growing influence in osteopathic sports medicine — culminating in the election of VCOM-Virginia discipline chair Mark Rogers, DO, CAQSM, FAAFP, FAOASM, as AOASM president.
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026 this spring as students across the College’s four campuses officially became physicians who will serve communities across the country.
Faculty from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) have earned national recognition and a $30,000 award through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) All In! Vegas Pitch Showdown, held at AACOM’s annual conference in April.
On May 16, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM-Louisiana) proudly celebrated the graduation of its third class of physicians. After four rigorous years of study, service, and clinical training, these new graduates have earned their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees and will now begin the next chapter of their medical journeys in residency programs across the nation.
Twenty years after opening its doors in Blacksburg, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) celebrated a milestone moment on May 8, 2026: the graduation of VCOM-Virginia’s 20th graduating class.
In late March 2026, students and faculty from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) traveled to Cape Coast, Ghana, for a week of immersive global health research focused on child nutrition. Working alongside partners at the University of Cape Coast, the team advanced an ongoing study supported by a VCOM Research Excellence Award Program (REAP) grant, with seven VCOM medical students assisting in data collection.
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) continues to strengthen its commitment to identifying and preparing students who are aligned with its mission to serve rural and medically underserved populations. A recent articulation agreement with Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU), a small Catholic, not-for-profit institution with a healthcare emphasis located in Baton Rouge, enhances this effort by offering eligible FranU students a guaranteed interview for admission to VCOM-Louisiana.
Addison Shenk ’26 is preparing for an anesthesia residency she has envisioned since childhood. Even as a student, she has already made a national impact.
VCOM-Carolinas has named David Eagerton, PhD, its 2025 Outstanding Biomedical Faculty of the Year, recognizing his leadership in research, teaching, and collaboration.
