The Lewisburg Rotary Club met on Tuesday, Aug. 21, at the Lewisburg Elk’s County Club. This week’s speaker was the new president of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. James W. Nemitz, Ph.D.

The seventh president of WVSOM, Nemitz has actually worked for the school for 31 years. He has previously served at the school’s vice president for administration and external affairs, among other positions.

Dr. Nemitz spoke to the Rotary about how he came to be president of WVSOM and what his future plans for the school are. A self-described “born again West Virginian,” he discussed the importance of the relationship of WVSOM with the community, as well as how he plans to focus on research expansion and partnerships with other schools.

“We are out in the community trying to help the residents be healthier,” said Dr. Nemitz. “I also want to continue to grow community relations. The Greenbrier Valley is a great place to be, and we are here together to do good in the world.” He went on to emphasize how WVSOM was voted, for the seventh time now, as a great college to work for, and said that WVSOM is the number one school in America when it comes to rural placement of physicians.

He mentioned that Abracadabra, a TV show geared toward children and produced by WVSOM in partnership with the West Virginia Public Broadcasting Association, won an Emmy award recently. “We want to be making a difference in kid’s lives,” he said. The show is aired in 13 states and has six seasons.

An installation ceremony for Dr. Nemitz will be held Sept. 28 at the WVSOM student center. A carnival for children is planned for the following day, Sept. 29. Visit www.wvsom.edu for more information.

The Lewisburg Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at 12 noon at the Lewisburg Elk’s Country Club. The public is invited to attend.