Healthcare - West Virginia State Medical Association

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine | NEWSWVSOM Observes 12th Annual Convocation andWhite Coat CeremonyTwo hundred and two firstyearstudents at the West VirginiaSchool of Osteopathic Medicine(WVSOM) were “welcomed” into theosteopathic medical profession duringWVSOM’s 12th annual Convocationand White Coat ceremony today.WVSOM Acting President MichaelAdelman, D.O., J.D., welcomed morethan 1,200 of the students’ family andfriends to the Lewisburg campus. Heexplained to the audience why thewhite coat ceremony is a significantevent in a physician’s career.“The white coat symbolizesthe beginning of your four yearjourney into the osteopathic medicalprofession. It comes with awesomeresponsibilities and obligations toyour community and to society. Weexpect you to grow intellectually andemotionally, and in time that whitecoat will feel comfortable. So workhard class of 2014; I’m confidentyou’ll be successful,” he said.Dr. Adelman introducedConvocation speaker Sam Muscari,Sr., D.O., Mullens, W.Va., who hasbeen in general practice in rural WestVirginia for 47 years. Dr. Muscari saidhis greatest joy has been practicingosteopathic medicine with his sons forthe past 25 years. “I have been trulyblessed to practice with my sons. Youcan’t imagine the pride I have when Iintroduce my sons as my partners.”Muscari and his family have along association with WVSOM. Dr.Muscari’s sons, Sam Muscari, Jr., D.O.(Class of 1981) and Michael Muscari,D.O. (Class of 1984), are WVSOMgraduates. They were on stage withtheir father during the ceremony. Dr.Muscari’s grandsons, Nicholas Muscari(Class of 2011) and Kyle Muscari(Class of 2013), are WVSOM students.The Muscari family owns andoperates Family Healthcare Associates,Inc., with Anthony Flaim, D.O., (Classof 1981), also a WVSOM graduate.They divide their time among fivesatellite clinics in Mullens, Pineville,Oceana, Gilbert and Man, W.Va.“My family’s influence on othersfrom southern West Virginia becomingphysicians is well noted. Manychildren of our patients become D.O.s.It’s what I call my extended family,”Dr. Muscari said, pointing to his sonMichael’s nephew, Zach Halsey,a member of the Class of 2014.“Your fouryears at WVSOMwill be the mostintense anddemanding yearsof your life. Youreducation willbe as completeas any educationin the nation.One that you canbe proud of,”Muscari said.After receivingtheir white coats,the studentstook an oath ofcommitment tothe osteopathicprofession. Theywere led in the oath by WVSOMInterim Vice President for AcademicAffairs and Dean, Lorenzo Pence,D.O.,FACOFP, (Class of 1985).The students affirmed they willconduct themselves with the utmostpersonal and professional integrity;they understand healing involvesthe body, mind and spirit; and, theywill continually strive to become aphysician who integrates all aspectsof a patient’s life into their care.Other speakers included WVSOMBoard of Governors Chair RodneyFink, D.O. (Class of 1987), WVSOMAlumni Association President,Robert Holstein, D.O., (CIass of1979) and West Virginia Society ofOsteopathic Medicine presidentRick Greco, (Class of 1986).Holstein encouraged studentsto “willingly submit yourselvesinto the hands of the teachers,professors and mentors who knowtheir craft. They will buff, polishand shape your transformation fromgemstones into magnificent jewels.”42 West Virginia Medical Journal