The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)-Virginia Campus has launched a new award honoring the Outstanding Clinical Faculty of the Year. The winner of the inaugural award is David G. Harden, DO, VCOM’s discipline chair for osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and an associate professor for OMM and family medicine.

The winner of the first Outstanding Biomedical Faculty of the Year Award for 2023 is Jim Mahaney, PhD, who is celebrating 20 years with VCOM. During the last two decades, Mahaney has been a dedicated researcher and a compassionate educator, qualities that led fellow faculty to nominate him for this award—one of the highest honors VCOM bestows.

VCOM-Virginia Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs Sofia Abraham-Hardee, DO, PhD, FACOP, FAAP, CS; VCOM-Louisiana Dean Mark Sanders, DO, JD, MPH, LLM, MS, FACOFP; and VCOM-Louisiana Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs Andy Langley, DO, recently completed a yearlong Senior Leadership Development Program (SLDP) with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM).

Mary Mitchell, DO, insists that she has the best job. Dr. Mitchell is an associate professor in the VCOM-Virginia’s Department of Family Medicine, but she’s also part of VCOM’s nationally recognized sports medicine program, which provides medical care to Virginia Tech’s sports teams. Dr. Mitchell has the privilege of being the team physician for the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team, which had a truly remarkable season, winning the ACC Tournament title and reaching the final four of the NCAA Tournament before being eliminated by eventual champion Louisiana State University. For good reason, Blacksburg has been all-in on this team and for Dr. Mitchell, this season has been a highlight of her career.

Research breaks down barriers to understanding and can change the world, which is why VCOM was founded as a research-oriented osteopathic institution and why it is a critical part of the VCOM experience for many students. In fact, research is a key part of VCOM’s mission: promoting research to improve human health.