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Carolinas

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Abby Logan in a mask overlooking a mining site

From Zambia to VCOM: A Heart for Public Health

“You can’t spend two months in Zambia and come home the same,” says Abby Logan, a first-year VCOM-Carolinas student from North Augusta. Before starting med school, she joined a student research team studying the environmental health effects of mining in Zambia, an experience that cemented her love for public health and her desire to serve both global and rural communities as a future physician.

Chelsea Porter

Current Practice Location:  West Africa

Other: Dr. Porter is currently working in West Africa where she is receiving training in obstetric fistula repair to help in her practice there. She works at a health center that specializes in caring for women with obstetric fistulas and people with leprosy. The center also provides obstetric care, child vaccinations and long term care for complicated wounds and burns. Dr. Porter’s passion is caring for vulnerable people and empowering them with education.

Personal:  Dr. Porter enjoys a good run, experimenting in the kitchen, dancing, singing and telling people about the hope they can find in Jesus.

Advice for a student aspiring to study medicine: The road is long but worth it! Don’t forget why you started on the journey. Remind yourself often that it is a privilege to be a doctor and to receive the education necessary to care for people at their most vulnerable moments. Pray often. Laugh often. Don’t give up.

Advice from Dr. Porter

Chelsea Porter, DO

Graduated: Class of 2016
Campus: Carolinas
Prior School: Samford University
Degree: BS – Biology
Hometown: Plant City, FL
Chelsea Porter DO
Alumni
Residency: Via Christi Family Medicine
Specialty: Family Medicine

Rajavi Parikh

Fellowship: Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC 

Advice for a student aspiring to study medicine: “Be enthusiastic and engaged. Be prepared for anything and ask insightful questions. Treat everyone you meet with kindness and respect. Even if you think something is not possible, better to try and fail than to never try and always wonder ‘what if?’. “

Advice from Dr. Parikh

Rajavi Parikh, DO

Graduated: Class of 2015
Campus: Carolinas
Prior School: University at Buffalo, SUNY
Degree: MS – Biological Sciences
Hometown: West Seneca, NY
Dr. Rajavi Parikh, DO
Alumni
Residency: Chief Resident of her class at New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Specialty: Vascular Surgery

Jamie Beckman

Advice: To “Always study for the patient, not the examination.”  

Personal: Dr. Beckman enjoys spending time with his dog, Maverick, watching Minor League Baseball, cooking, and practicing woodwork in his free time!  

Check out the video below for advice from Dr. Beckman!

Jamie Beckman, DO

Graduated: Class of 2020
Campus: Carolinas
Prior School: University of Arizona
Degree: MS in Physiology
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Jamie Beckman
Alumni
Residency: Ophthalmology at Beaumont Health in Detroit, MI.
Specialty: Ophthalmology

VCOM-Carolinas Fall Open House

VCOM-Carolinas Fall Open House

Tags: open house

Find out how we are inspired to make a difference in our communities and beyond.

Please join us to:

  • Learn about our innovative and integrated curriculum and the osteopathic profession
  • See Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) in practice
  • Meet and talk with current students and faculty

Register

Campus: Carolinas
When: October 10, 2025 12:00pm to 3:30pm EDT

Gentry Watson

Gentry Watson
Information Technology Technician
Department/Discipline: Information Technology
Campus: Carolinas
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Carolinas Rural and Community Outreach

Medical students at VCOM enhance their skills in providing patient centered medicine through medical outreach activities in the Appalachian region. From the time they begin their medical education, VCOM students are actively involved in local area health fairs, free clinics, community education, and other service-based learning opportunities to engage with the community, all while receiving instruction from experienced faculty and staff.

VCOM students participate in weekly Interprofessional Early Clinical Experiences, or IECEs, throughout their second year of medical school. During these experiences, students work alongside faculty mentors and allied healthcare professionals including nurses, pharmacists, EMS personnel, athletic trainers, and others. This practical experience helps to prepare second-year medical students for the team approach to medical care and for their third-year core clinical rotations.

 

Community outreach programs include:

  • Preventive Medicine Community Outreach (PMCO), wellness screenings for local communities
  • Free Clinics
  • Mini Med Schools
  • Health and wellness programs for community events
  • Outreach programs to rescue missions and remote communities
Medical student taking a blood pressure reading on a patient

VCOM-Carolinas Mobile Medical Outreach

VCOM Physicians, Faculty, Staff and Students in partnership with the local free medical clinics and AccessHealth, has established a mobile free medical clinic focused on screening and preventive medicine for all, as well as primary care for the uninsured. Our clinic is based out of our state-of-the art mobile unit which we park in multiple communities in the upstate.

More Info

Two high school students reading a book at Carolinas Summer Enrichment Experience

Carolinas Campus Summer Enrichment Experience

The Carolinas SEE Camp incorporates a wide variety of learning activities to keep students engaged while being introduced to science and medicine. In doing so, we hope to encourage students to pursue careers in science and medicine and to gain an appreciation of behaviors that are fundamental to healthy lifestyles.

More Info

Mini-Med Schools

As part of their Appalachian Outreach and IECE training, VCOM students assist faculty in hosting “Mini-Medical Schools” promoting healthy behaviors and providing a glimpse at what it’s like to be a medical student for rural high school students. VCOM students supervised by faculty host mini med school to promote healthy behaviors in youth, to prevent at-risk behaviors, and to provide a glimpse of what it is like to be a medical student for high school students.

 

STEM Opportunities for Youth

VCOM students and faculty provide STEM programs to local schools where VCOM students share their experience with students from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds. And sharing these experiences promotes interest in healthcare careers.

Through Appalachian Outreach, VCOM students gain experience in public and environmental health, as well as providing care for patients who live in poor socioeconomic conditions. Medical outreach experiences are a key component in educating students to provide healthcare in challenging environments.

 

Information on Giving to Outreach Programs

Director for Medical Education (MHSA)

Job Summary: 

The candidate will supervise and facilitate the daily operations of Medical Education for the Master of Health Science in Anesthesia (MHSA) Program which supports faculty classroom instruction and testing.  The position will require significant interaction with both students and faculty, and an amicable professional demeanor is essential. The position serves as primary liaison between the Master of Health Science in Anesthesia Program and the Medical Education department of VCOM and Bluefield University.

Salary Range: $66,000 - $78,000

Required Qualifications: 

  • Education: Master’s degree in Education or related field
  • Licensure or certification: N/A
  • Experience: Experience working in an institute of higher education

 

Skills required for this position include:

  • Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
  • Strong team player
  • Commitment to company values
  • Basic computer proficiency
  • Proficiency in word processing and MS Office Suite

 

Preferences are given to candidates who have experience with Scholar or similar course management software, graphic skills and web design.

The successful candidate will be subject to a criminal history background check.

Regular, reliable, or predictable attendance is an essential function of the job.

 

Campus: Auburn, Carolinas
Status: Administrative Staff Positions
View complete job description (PDF)
Gail Lott and James Edinger standing in front of the building displaying their name

VCOM-Carolinas Names Building in Honor of Transformational Gift

Simulation Center Coordinator

Working under the supervision of the Associate Dean of Simulation and Educational Technology, the full-time Simulation Center Coordinator performs a wide range of administrative and office support activities for the department.  The coordinator will provide quality administrative support by displaying sound judgment, accuracy, diplomacy, confidentiality, and discretion.  The duties include maintaining purchase orders, department finances, inventory items, maintaining logistical support for research projects and sub-departmental surveys.  This positions assists the Associate Dean of Simulation and Educational Technology with the organizing ongoing research projects. This position coordinates the ultrasound program, including an elective course for fourth year osteopathic medical students. 

 

Salary Range:  $40,000 - $42,000

Campus: Carolinas
Status: Classified Staff Positions
View complete job description (PDF)
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