The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) is hosting The Nechung Oracle, Kuten-la, the official State Oracle of Tibet and spiritual advisor to the Dalai Lama, at a public reception from 5 to 7 p.m., Nov. 19.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. We hope everyone can join us,” said Dawn Roberts, Ed.D., WSOM’s associate dean of Multicultural and Student Affairs.
The school’s Office of Multicultural and Student Affairs will host the reception in the Conference Center of the WVSOM’s Student Center. The reception is open to the public in addition to WVSOM students, staff and faculty. Refreshments will be provided.
The current Nechung Oracle is the Venerable Thupten Ngodup, who has been in the role since 1988. The Nechung Kuten-la will be accompanied by Lama Tenzin Choegyal and three monks from the Nechung Monastery.
Kuten-la is on a tour of the U.S. His stop in Lewisburg is the result of a visit earlier this year to India by Katherine Calloway, D.O., regional assistant dean for the South Central region of WVSOM’s Statewide Campus. Dr. Calloway is working with Dr. Roberts in coordinating the reception.
In April, Calloway and four others – Megan Kelley and Sarah McQueen, WVSOM Class of 2025 medical students, Caroline LaFleur, M.D., of Medical Diplomats International; and Calloway’s 15-year-old daughter, Grace – visited Dehradun, Uttarakhand and Dharamshala, India, and met with the Dalai Lama.
During the trip to India, Calloway also spoke with Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament Dolma Tsering, Kashag History Documentation Secretary Ngawang Namgyal and Tibetan Department of Health Secretary Jampa Phuntsok.
Calloway said the group also visited a hospital, a center for education, a women’s center and the location of the Tibetan government in exile, including the Dalai Lama’s residence and Tibetan Parliament.
