The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) Board of Governors appointed James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., as the medical school’s next president.
Nemitz, who has been employed with WVSOM for the past 31 years and currently serves as the school’s vice president for administration and external relations, will begin his role on July 1. Nemitz will be WVSOM’s seventh president.
“I am truly honored to be selected as the next president of WVSOM. This is a place that I’ve devoted a majority of my career, it’s a place that I love with all my heart and it’s a place that I deeply care about,” Nemitz said after his announcement. “I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support I received during the process and since the announcement has been made. I look forward to stepping into this role with a lot of enthusiasm and energy for the purpose of making sure that this great institution continues to move forward and make a difference in the lives of others.”
Nemitz will succeed Michael Adelman, D.O., D.P.M., J.D., who has been serving as WVSOM’s president the past eight years and, who Nemitz said, has acted as a mentor to him throughout his time in a leadership position.
“Dr. Adelman has been a great mentor to me. I couldn’t have asked for a more caring and thoughtful person to help me understand what it takes to be a president,” Nemitz said.
Adelman said he is confident that Nemitz’s professional qualifications and passion for WVSOM will help lead the school forward.
“I can’t think of a more deserving person to lead WVSOM as the next president,” Adelman said. “Jim has worked at WVSOM for more than three decades and that alone shows his commitment to our school. He began as an anatomy professor, and over the years, has been successful in his leadership roles. I have no doubt that he will continue to have the school’s best interest in mind when he assumes his role as president. Though I hate to say goodbye to WVSOM, I know it will be in good hands when I leave.”
Charles Davis, D.O., WVSOM’s Board of Governors chairman, said he was honored to announce the appointment of Nemitz as the next president.
“As a Board of Governors, we believe Dr. Nemitz is the best candidate to continue the indelible legacy Dr. Adelman has created during his tenure, as well as lead the school. Transitions always have challenges; however, I anticipate this changing of the guard to be virtually seamless,” Davis said.
During the transitional period leading up to July, Nemitz said he plans to work to establish himself as president by reinforcing relationships with faculty, staff and students at the school and Statewide Campus, alumni, community members, legislators, hospital and clinic leaders, and West Virginia university and college presidents.
“I’m excited to get started. As I told the board, you don’t take lightly the fact that you’re protecting the jobs of almost 300 employees and overseeing 800-plus students,” he said. “I truly feel in my heart this is what I’m supposed to do and I look forward to leading the school.”
In his current role, Nemitz oversees the accreditation and institutional effectiveness processes; research and grants; community outreach; government relations at the local, state and national levels; and manages special events such as graduation, grand affair and convocation/white coat ceremony. He has also been WVSOM’s associate dean for preclinical education, director of the Office of Rural Recruitment and Retention and has served as an anatomy professor. He has provided service to the national osteopathic profession and West Virginia higher education.
