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Meet the School of Medicine's M.D. Class of 2021

Meet the School of Medicine's M.D. Class of 2021

This is orientation week for the 112 members of the West Virginia University School of Medicine’s Class of 2021.

These future physicians have been spending the week discovering the ins and outs of WVU’s Health Sciences Center and getting to know each other. They are participating in orientation camp designed to initiate team building right from the beginning to prepare incoming students for the collaborative atmosphere that is fostered on campus.

HSC VP Clay Marsh talks with first-year medical students
Health Sciences VP and SOM dean Clay Marsh talks with first-year medical students

The School of Medicine Class of 2021 represents 16 states with half of those students from West Virginia. This class consists evenly of 56 females and 56 males ranging in age from 19 to 49.

Interesting facts about the WVU School of Medicine Class of 2021:

  • Two are veterans – one a member of the U.S. Navy Band, the other was a part of the U.S. Navy Bomb Squad.
  • Many were collegiate athletes, intermural team captains, musicians, photographers and dancers.
  • Several have an interest in politics, whether at the state/local level or within their institution, including one student body president.
  • Many volunteer hours were accumulated by this class focusing on improving the lives of children and those in need.
  • Several students dedicate their time volunteering as a fire fighter, emergency medical technician (EMT) and MedLife member.
  • Several have already obtained master’s degrees and one student is a doctor of pharmacy.
  • Many are tutors, teachers and mentors.
  • This group is very tech savvy, with a handful of IT gurus and computer builders!

The Class of 2021 begins studies on the Morgantown campus for the first two years of medical school. Students assigned to the Charleston and Eastern campuses will complete the remaining two years of studies and rotations at those locations.

First-year medical students work on team building with a game of tug-of-war
First-year medical students work on team building with a game of tug-of-war!

As part of orientation activities, the School of Medicine will conduct the annual Oath of Integrity ceremony where students are ceremoniously draped with a stethoscope that symbolizes good listening, as doctors listen not only with their ears. This ceremony also represents the transition from freshly accepted students to doctors in training. Together, the Class of 2021 recites the pledge of honor that declares their loyalty and passion to the field of medicine and their patients, and to their academic duties as students.

For news and information on the WVU School of Medicine, follow us on twitter @WVUMedSchool, and Instagram like us on Facebook or visit medicine.hsc.wvu.edu. #WVU2021

 

CONTACT: 
Tara Scatterday
Director, Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Medicine
304-293-0630 | tdscatterday@hsc.wvu.edu