Virginia

Established in 2021 by members of the New River Valley Health Foundation, the endowed scholarship recognizes the academic excellence and contributions of VCOM-Virginia students who grew up in the New River Valley area of Virginia (Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Wythe counties, or the city of Radford). The Foundation is committed to both education and the advancement of healthcare in the area. This scholarship is available to students interested in Primary Care, and preference is given to students who wish to remain in the region to practice medicine after residency.

Dr. James F. (Jim) Wolfe, Founding President and President Emeritus of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), passed away in 2022. Prior to his leadership role at VCOM, Dr. Wolfe’s career spanned 32 years at Virginia Tech. Dr. Wolfe and his wife, Nancy, who passed away in 2023, were at the heart of the College, its foundation and its students for many years. This endowment was created by the College and the Wolfe and Blalock families to honor their memory and pay tribute to their significant personal passion and contributions to VCOM. The scholarship awards students who received a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and who excel both in academics and College leadership.

Pat Merryman, committed to the betterment of healthcare in the Commonwealth of Virginia, established the scholarship in 2021 to award students from VCOM-Virginia. Award preference is given to a student who intends to practice primary care medicine in Virginia (internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics or OB/GYN) and whose hometown residence is in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

John Skelton has been a longtime Blacksburg resident who recognizes the need for physicians in the region. The scholarship award gives preference to students whose hometown residence is in the Commonwealth of Virginia, who excel academically, have financial need, and plan to return to do primary care in the state of Virginia (internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, or OB/GYN).

Mike and Judy Bircher, Blacksburg residents and current and former Standardized Patients at VCOM-Virginia, created this endowment in 2022. Having developed a great appreciation for the caliber of VCOM’s educational standards and training excellence, the Birchers’ scholarship awards medical students who have financial need, are in strong academic standing and wish to have an impactful future as a physician.

Drs. H. Pat Artis and Nancy Eisenhart Artis, recognizing the growing need for scholarships, created this second endowment to award VCOM-Virginia medical students who have an undergraduate degree in Engineering from Virginia Tech. Dr. Pat Artis, Professor of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Tech, and wife, Dr. Nancy Eisenhart Artis, are committed to education and are tremendous supporters of VCOM, as well as Virginia Tech and Radford University.