During WVSOM’s annual Mid-Winter Osteopathic Seminar in Charleston, Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, one alumnus and one professor emeritus were recognized for their ongoing commitment to the school.
Rodney Fink, D.O., Class of 1987, was presented the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award. Alumni Association Board President Mark Waddell, D.O., Class of 1990, made the announcement during the alumni luncheon.
“We’re in a roomful of giants who do a great job day in and day out. These people increase their knowledge to make themselves better physicians and ease suffering to make other people’s lives better,” he said. “One example of someone who has this leadership and integrity is Dr. Rodney Fink.”
Fink, accepting a commemorative Blenko glass pitcher with the Alumni Association seal, said there is one reason for all his support – he loves the school.
“WVSOM is my motivation,” he stated simply.
The Alumni Association established the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award in 2008 to annually recognize graduates who have demonstrated outstanding personal and professional achievements.
Another individual with close ties to WVSOM received an Honorary Alumni Award. Larry Davis, Ph.D., professor emeritus, was a longtime biochemistry faculty member at the school.
“He has taken a special interest in all our lives and helped to encourage all students, not just medical students,” Waddell said of Davis. Dr. Davis, who will receive a brick with his name on it in the alumni walkway, was surprised with the special recognition.
“I have enjoyed many WVSOM Alumni Association events over the years, but none so much as the luncheon during the Mid-Winter Conference in Charleston,” he said. “My honorary membership bestowed at that time pleased me to no end. I’ll never forget Dr. Mark Waddell’s kind comments before the presentation. It was a grand experience to share that occasion with the many WVSOM graduates, faculty and staff in attendance.”
