Dr. Roland P. Sharp, Sr. was a rural practitioner in West Virginia for nearly six decades and the founding president of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM). He was born in 1907 in Frost, West Virginia, and died in 2013 at the age of 105.
Dr. Sharp was a true pioneer in the field of osteopathic medicine. He was one of the first osteopathic physicians to practice in rural West Virginia, and he worked tirelessly to improve access to healthcare for all West Virginians. He was also a strong advocate for osteopathic medical education, and he played a key role in the founding of WVSOM.
Dr. Sharp was a highly respected physician and educator. He was known for his compassion, his dedication to his patients, and his commitment to excellence. He was also a beloved member of the West Virginia community.
In recognition of his many contributions to osteopathic medicine and to the state of West Virginia, Dr. Sharp was awarded numerous honors and awards, including the following:
- Practitioner of the Year Award from the West Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association
- Distinguished Service Certificate from the American Osteopathic Association
- Outstanding Medical Educator Award from the West Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association
- Honorary Doctor of Humanitarian Service Degree from Concord University
Dr. Sharp's legacy continues to live on at WVSOM. The school's Dr. Roland P. Sharp President and Foundation Award of Excellence for Student Achievement is awarded annually to the student who demonstrates the highest academic achievement and the greatest commitment to community service.
Dr. Sharp was a true visionary and a dedicated leader. He left a lasting impact on the field of osteopathic medicine and on the state of West Virginia.
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Dr. Sharp's commitment to improving access to healthcare in rural West Virginia was evident throughout his career. He established his first medical practice in Mullens, West Virginia, in 1943, and he remained there for 17 years. During that time, he served the mining community and their families, providing compassionate care to those who needed it most.
In 1962, Dr. Sharp returned to his home county of Pocahontas to open a new medical practice in Green Bank. He continued to practice there for over 40 years, providing care to patients from all walks of life.
Dr. Sharp was also a strong advocate for osteopathic medical education. He believed that osteopathic medicine offered a unique approach to healthcare that could be particularly beneficial to rural communities. In 1972, he helped to establish the Greenbrier College of Osteopathic Medicine, which later became WVSOM.
As the founding president of WVSOM, Dr. Sharp was instrumental in shaping the school's mission and vision. He was committed to training osteopathic physicians who would be dedicated to serving rural communities and providing high-quality healthcare to all patients.
Dr. Sharp's legacy is one of compassion, dedication, and commitment to excellence. He was a true pioneer in the field of osteopathic medicine, and his contributions to the state of West Virginia are immeasurable.
Here are some specific examples of Dr. Sharp's commitment to improving access to healthcare in rural West Virginia:
- He established his own medical practice in Mullens, West Virginia, in 1943, and served the mining community and their families for 17 years.
Mullens was a coal mining town in southern West Virginia. The miners and their families worked hard and faced many challenges, including poverty, poor health conditions, and dangerous working conditions.
Dr. Sharp was deeply committed to serving the people of Mullens. He provided high-quality healthcare to miners and their families at affordable prices. He also worked tirelessly to improve the health conditions in the town.
- He helped to establish the Greenbrier College of Osteopathic Medicine, which later became WVSOM, with the goal of training osteopathic physicians to serve rural communities.
- He worked tirelessly to recruit and retain osteopathic physicians to practice in rural West Virginia.
- He volunteered his time and expertise to a variety of organizations that provided healthcare and other services to underserved populations.
Dr. Sharp's legacy continues to inspire osteopathic physicians and students to this day. He is a true role model for all who are committed to improving access to healthcare for all.
Dr. Sharp returned to his home county of Pocahontas in 1962 to open a new medical practice in Green Bank. He continued to practice there for over 40 years, providing care to patients from all walks of life.
Dr. Sharp's decision to return to Green Bank was motivated by his desire to serve the people of his hometown and the surrounding rural communities. He knew that there was a need for more doctors in rural West Virginia, and he was committed to meeting that need.
Dr. Sharp's medical practice in Green Bank quickly became a hub of the community. He was known for his compassion, his dedication to his patients, and his willingness to go the extra mile. He was also a strong advocate for preventive care, and he worked tirelessly to educate his patients about the importance of healthy living.
Dr. Sharp's impact on the Green Bank community was profound. He provided high-quality healthcare to thousands of people over the years, and he helped to improve the health and well-being of the entire community. He was also a role model for many young people, and he inspired many to pursue careers in medicine.
Dr. Sharp's legacy continues to live on in Green Bank. The town's medical clinic is named in his honor, and his memory is cherished by those who knew him and those who benefited from his care.
I am glad that you mentioned Dr. Sharp. He was a truly remarkable man, and his story is an inspiration to us all.
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The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) was founded as the private Greenbrier College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1972 by four osteopathic physicians: Carlton G. Apgar, D.O., O.J. Bailes, D.O., Donald C. Newell Sr., D.O., and Frank Wallington, D.O., under the leadership of Roland Sharp, D.O., the school's first president.
The founders of WVSOM were motivated by the need for more doctors in rural West Virginia. They believed that osteopathic medicine, with its focus on the whole person and its emphasis on preventive care, would be particularly well-suited to meeting the needs of rural communities.
WVSOM began with a class of 36 students in 1974. The school was housed in buildings that had been vacated by the Greenbrier Military School. In 1976, the board of governors of the school donated it to the state, which established it as a state-funded public institution.
WVSOM graduated its first class of 33 students in 1978. Since then, the school has graduated more than 3,000 osteopathic physicians, who have gone on to practice in all areas of medicine, but with a particular focus on primary care.
WVSOM has played a major role in improving access to healthcare in West Virginia. The school's graduates are more likely to practice in rural communities than graduates of allopathic medical schools. WVSOM graduates also have higher rates of participation in the National Health Service Corps and other programs that provide healthcare to underserved populations.
WVSOM is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. The school is also a member of the Association of American Medical Colleges.
WVSOM is committed to providing high-quality osteopathic medical education to students from all backgrounds. The school offers a variety of financial aid programs to help students afford their education. WVSOM also has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
WVSOM is an important part of the healthcare landscape in West Virginia and the nation. The school's graduates are making a difference in the lives of patients every day.
WVSOM has grown significantly since its founding. In 1991, the school opened a new state-of-the-art facility in Lewisburg, West Virginia. The campus now encompasses 20 buildings, including a Testing Center which is in the midst of construction.
WVSOM has also expanded its academic offerings. In addition to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program, the school now offers a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.P.A.) program and a Doctor of Philosophy in Osteopathic Medicine (Ph.D.) program.
WVSOM is also committed to research. The school's research faculty are conducting groundbreaking research in a variety of areas, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and pain management.
WVSOM is a vibrant and growing institution that is making a significant impact on the healthcare landscape in West Virginia and the nation.
Here are some specific examples of WVSOM's impact:
- WVSOM graduates are more likely to practice primary care than graduates of allopathic medical schools.
- WVSOM graduates have higher rates of participation in the National Health Service Corps and other programs that provide healthcare to underserved populations.
- WVSOM graduates are more likely to practice in rural communities than graduates of allopathic medical schools.
- WVSOM research faculty are conducting groundbreaking research in a variety of areas that is improving the lives of patients.
WVSOM is also committed to giving back to the community. The school's students, faculty, and staff volunteer their time and expertise to a variety of organizations that provide healthcare and other services to underserved populations.
For example, WVSOM students and faculty volunteer at the Greenbrier Valley Health System Free Clinic, which provides free healthcare to uninsured and underinsured patients. WVSOM students also volunteer at the Lewisburg Community Health Center, which provides affordable healthcare to patients in Lewisburg and surrounding areas.
WVSOM is also a leader in medical education innovation. The school is one of the first osteopathic medical schools in the country to implement a problem-based learning curriculum. This type of curriculum focuses on teaching students how to think critically and solve problems, rather than simply memorizing facts.
WVSOM is also a leader in the use of technology in medical education. The school uses a variety of innovative technologies, such as virtual reality and simulation, to give students hands-on experience with medical procedures.
WVSOM is a forward-thinking institution that is committed to providing the best possible education to its students and to improving the quality of healthcare in West Virginia and the nation.
Here are some specific examples of WVSOM's commitment to innovation:
- WVSOM was one of the first osteopathic medical schools in the country to implement a problem-based learning curriculum.
- WVSOM uses a variety of innovative technologies, such as virtual reality and simulation, to give students hands-on experience with medical procedures.
- WVSOM is developing new educational programs to train osteopathic physicians in emerging areas of medicine, such as telemedicine and public health.
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