Med school welcomes class


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Students begin semester at new Center for Medical and Health Sciences

Celebration — The College of Osteopathic Medicine introduces new degree programs in the biomedical field of study to the community at the recent dedication service. Photo credit: Courtney Russo

Celebration — The College of Osteopathic Medicine introduces new degree programs in the biomedical field of study to the community at the recent dedication service. Photo credit: Courtney Russo

Liberty University held a dedication ceremony and open house for the new $40 million Center for Medical and Health Sciences Friday, Aug. 22 with hundreds of guests from the community and campus as well as the inaugural class of the medical school.

Part of the cost of the building came from a grant from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. The $20.5 million grant was combined with university money to build the 144,000-square-foot building. The College of Osteopathic Medicine is home to state-of-the-art technology and labs.

“Without the $20-plus million grant from the tobacco commission, we would not have been able to venture out so boldly and so soon,” President Jerry Falwell said. “This great school would have been delayed for many years and might not have become a reality without your help. We deeply appreciate your trust and your confidence and we pledge to carry out our stated mission of providing medical relief to underserved communities in Southside Virginia.”

Virginia House of Delegate members Kathy Byron and Terry Kilgore serve on the commission that awarded the grant and both spoke at the ceremony.

“We are here at the beginning of an institution that will benefit not only those who are going to attend it, but, ultimately, thousands we will never know, who will received quality healthcare from those who study here,” Byron said. “The Tobacco Commission has been privileged to play a vital role in make the College of Osteopathic Medicine a reality. The college we are dedicating today represents the largest single commitment in the history of the Tobacco Commission.”

“I believe, that you will find that this will be one of the best Tobacco grants that we have given,” Del. Kilgore, chairman of the Tobacco Commission, said. “It’s going to meet the needs of this region, this state and the nation, as we graduate these great students.”

In a rare address, Falwell’s sister, Jeannie F. Rivers, M.D., challenged the rising doctors to be the best physicians they can be.

Rivers told students that she knew at 4 years old that she wanted to be a doctor. She became the first female to graduate from Liberty and attend medical school and now serves as the Chief of Surgery at Hunter Homes VA Medical Center.

“I do remember having many conversations with dad about his dream to one day have a medical school here,” Rivers said. “Finally, that has become a reality.”

Rivers reminded students that medicine is more than a career, encouraging the inaugural class that working in the medical field is a life-long ministry.

“Strive to be the best that you can as you go forth, “ Rivers said. “Most importantly, keep God first in your lives and in your practice, and your families.”

When Liberty University broke ground in November 2012, Falwell called the school “the last piece of the puzzle” in his father’s dream of building a world-class Christian university. Today, that dream has been realized.

White Coat Ceremony held for first class

Liberty University’s college of Osteopathic Medicine began classes on Monday, Aug. 4, with its inaugural class of 162 students. The college hosted a White Coat Ceremony, Saturday, Aug. 2, inducting 80 men and 82 women.

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