West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine - Medicus Yearbook (Lewisburg, WV)

Page 10 text:

BEGINNINC-S WEST VIRGINlA'S OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOL IS HOUSED IN THE FORMER GREENBRIAR MILITARY SCHOOL, ONCE A NOTED PREP SCHOOL FOR BOYS. A NEW SCHOOL WITH TRADITION In the fall of 1974 when the first class of 36 students began their osteopathic medical education in the building that was to become the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, a prestigious academic tradition awaited them. WVSOM was housed in the former Greenbrier Military School, one of America's foremost private preparatory schools for young men founded in 1808-about 80 years before the first college of osteopathic medicine opened its doors in Kirksville. In the early 1800's, however, the founders of the Greenbrier Military School, located at Lewisburg in the scenic and historic Greenbrier Valley, did not foresee that its hallowed halls would one day serve as the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. Nevertheless, that notable transition took place during America's Bicentennial era, thereby assuring that 160 years of educational tradition would go unbroken. Assuming the leadership in the establishment of the new osteopathic medical school, the West Virginia Society of Osteopathic Medicine purchased the recently closed military school in july, 1972, and obtained a charter from the State of West Virginia in that December for the Green- brier College of Osteopathic Medicine. As a private in- stitution, the school admitted 36 students in its first class on October 14, 1974. In 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978, the classes were enlarged to 42, 48, 54, and 60 freshman stu- dents, respectively. As a result, the colIege's four founders - Drs. Frank A. Wallington of Moundsville, Donald C. Newell, Sr. of Oak Hill, Carlton G. Apgar of Huntington, and Oscar I. Bailes of Princeton - had successfully started the State's second medical school, the West Virginia University School of Medicine being first. Nevertheless, the founders ultimately needed the assistance of another West Virginia D.O. to manage the school's daily opera- tions. THE COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION Under the guidance of President Roland P. Sharp, M.S., D.O., orderly growth has become the hallmark of the college. A native of the Mountain State, he earned the A.B. in biology at Concord State Teachers College in Athens, West Virginia, in 1936, the M.S. in zoology at West Virginia University in 1939, and the D.O. at the Kirks- ville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1943. A dedi- cated educator, he taught in primary and secondary schools and served as a principal as well, before taking up the study of medicine. At the Kirksville College of Osteo- pathic Medicine, besides working on his degree, he was an instructor of histology and embryology, later being pro- moted to Associate Professor and Acting Chairman of the Pathology Department. After five years on the Kirksville faculty, Dr. Sharp began a 16 year practive of industrial medicine in Mullens. In 1963, however, he returned to his native Pocahontas County where he maintained a very active rural family practice. Since the early 1950's in his home state, he demonstrated his continuing interest in medical education by being a preceptor for student training in general prac- tice. Because Dr. Sharp's credentials showed that rare combination of educator and family physician, the West Virginia Society of Osteopathic Medicine asked him to be the chief administrator of the new school.

Page 9 text:

THIS BO K THE FIRST YEARBOOK OF THE WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF OSTE PATHIC MEDICINE IS EDICATE T THE FIRST GRADUATINC CLASS THE CLASS OF 1978 f J 5 .. I .lfmw WWA-wwf.: ' I. A :LM ' ,EIT .4 1 A QLe-ffl,4.'b13'.A,.g,I,: , arg? QQ - .QM .wwufq M -f 4 ,I -, ' M aww, W - A 1-smywznzgfw W-MMIII ' ,ZMMML gr.- T T22 wsfw,if i',L-f,.T?5I?4y3-f, L MAL f- ,k,jMQ,.,.,gms..-HV' Nw AM, T -,mm , W ,.,, 5. ,.,,..,ML H W ZNM, . M M , -'f 'W',. ,, M - Q - - .H+-W I afv.. 'W 1 g-Q M. I -- WM-1 -w::: ' M . xl 1 N,,,fA,,I-'Ang K - ,f. wwf- ,fi 1: -nyww W. - ,. v':kf'Mwwfwf- M, - kr 'M..1,Q,.3,2:W-Q

Page 11 text:

In late 1972 Dr. Sharp, upon the advice of numerous oste- opathic educators, started gathering a small cadre of dedi- cated osteopathic physicians and academicians to assist him. Dr. Oscar 1. Bailes, a founder, then came on the board. In addition, Drs. joseph T. and Sheila M. Rogers of Wyandotte, Michigan, joined the staff in order to plan the curriculum. The D.O.'s in conjunction with Fredric W. Smith, M.S., Elizabeth Blatt, Ph.D., Sue Keller, M.S., Nadir Khan, Ph.D., and a few other basic scientists de- cided upon the body systems approach to instruction. In the 1974-75 academic year, the first class of students, over half having graduate degrees, thrived on the new course of study, as have their successors. Among the charter class was one married couple, jim and Lois Chambers. David Eakle, Naomi Wristen, james Halley, and Edward Bailey were other first year students. The high cost of operating a private medical school, how- ever, caused the administration to seek out governmental support. The financial prospects during the first year looked bleak, jeopardizing the future of the school. Numerous contributions from private sources, primarily D.O.'s, and grants from the Applachian Regional Com- mission became much appreciated bright spots during those hard early days. Nevertheless, if G.C.O.M. would become a state college, our medical students would be assured of getting sound instruction from a top-flight faculty at a reasonable tuition. BECOMING A STATE SCHOOL In March, 1975, The West Virginia Legislature passed a bill making the college a state school under the Board of Regents - the state's commission of higher education. For approximately 5500,000, the state got a bargain by the purchase of the former Greenbrier Military School campus. Occupying 43 acres of land, the college posses- ses unlimited potential for the establishment of new pro- grams, expansion of the physical plant, and meeting future needs. As the first class prepares to graduate, the facilities were appraised at 510,000,000 In january, 1976, the legislative mandate which had been pushed by Governor Arch A. Moore, jr., went into effect, making the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine the newest state institution of higher learning. In recog- nition of his leadership contribution to date, Dr. Sharp was retained as president. Later that year, Harry P. Korn- hiser, D.O. joined the staff as Academic Dean. With a growing staff, adequate instructional and office space was also needed. RENOVATION OF BUILDING ln 1972 when the West Virginia Society first looked over the campus, the buildings were neither suited for a med- ical school nor in good physical shape. Numerous leaks in the roof, falling plaster, faulty electrical and plumb- ing systems, and the need for a good coat of paint were among the most pressing problems. In 1974, David Allen, Karen Kritsky, Doug Schaber, Dale Wolford, David Coch- ran and the other freshmen found these physical plant problems aggravating. Substantial grants from the Applachian Regional Commis- sion, however enabled the founders to plan the curricu- Ium, to adapt the school to medical use, and to purchase DR. ROLAND P. SHARP DELIVERS THE 1977 CONVOCA- TION ADDRESS LAST OCTOBER. equipment. Laboratories for anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and microbiology were installed. Then, under a 51.8 million construction grant from the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the 460 foot long main building underwent ex- tensive renovation, thereby refurbishing the auditorium, library, and administrative and faculty offices. Most importantly, an outpatient clinic was constructed within the building's sizeable three story south wing. Con- taining 24,000 square feet of floor space, the real beauty of the clinic is its interior, wall-to-wall carpenting, color- ful wallpaper, sound proofing, and central air condition- ing. Thus, within the old structure, a modern medical VX, K RENOVATION IN PROGRESS ON THE CLINIC WING AT THE WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE.