For the sixth consecutive year, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) was recognized as one of the best schools in the nation to work for, according to a survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education’s annual report on academic workplaces. Once again, the school has been selected for the Honor Roll, which is given to institutions that were most recognized within their size category.
WVSOM was recognized in five categories including:
1. Collaborative governance
2. Facilities, workspaces and security
3. Professional/career-development programs
4. Respect and appreciation
5. Teaching environment
This was the first year that the school was acknowledged for collaborative governance, a category which recognizes that faculty members play a significant role in decisions related to academic programs.
Leslie Bicksler, WVSOM’s associate vice president of human resources, said that the annual recognition is a testament of the year-long hard work carried through by employees.
“Our employees understand that every job at WVSOM is important in achieving our goal of being a nationally-recognized osteopathic school,” she said. “They help to make our school a great place for students to receive a medical education, and they truly enjoy working here.”
WVSOM consistently has a higher than average response rate, with 60 percent of faculty and staff participating in the survey. WVSOM President Michael Adelman, D.O, D.P.M., J.D., said that the number of employees who responded to the survey makes a statement about how passionate people are about the school.
“I’m proud to be working with an incredible group of staff and faculty that made this possible,” Adelman said of the recognition. “It’s always an honor to be recognized as a Great College to Work For because the recognition comes from within.”
Liz McMillen, editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education, said the Great College to Work For program is well known as a mark of a college or university that puts thought and effort into serving the needs of its faculty and staff.
“The colleges and universities that make the list are highly rated by their employees for creating great working environments – an important achievement that helps them recruit top academic and administrative talent.”
Survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit and a survey administered to faculty, administrators and staff. The primary factor in deciding recognition was employee feedback.
WVSOM is a national leader in educating osteopathic physicians for primary care medicine in rural areas. Visit WVSOM online at www.wvsom.edu.