Founded in 1977 to expand access to physicians in rural and underserved areas, the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine has grown into a regional and national leader in education, research and community-based care.
Rooted in Appalachia, we remain committed to improving the health of West Virginia and the Tri-State by training healthcare professionals who understand—and choose to serve—the communities that need them most.
Today, the school educates more than 400 medical students, 317 resident physicians and fellows, and learners across a broad range of programs, including our Physician Assistant program, master’s degrees in biomedical and clinical sciences and PhD programs in biomedical research. Through hands-on, student-centered learning; impactful discovery; and a clinical enterprise that delivers high-quality, compassionate care, we are preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders and scientists.
Our pioneering rural residency programs, mobile medicine initiatives and strong community partnerships continue to redefine how care is delivered across Appalachia, strengthening the region’s workforce through a comprehensive pipeline—from undergraduate learners to advanced trainees.
