BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  West Virginia Wesleyan College and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine are celebrating their unique partnership with the Go D.O. Early Scholars Program as the first WVWC graduates of Go D.O. entered their first year at WVSOM this fall.

The Go D.O. Early Scholars Program allows qualifying students to receive guaranteed acceptance into the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, upon successful completion of the undergraduate program requirements and interview, as well as a waived MCAT. The program represents the first-of-its-kind partnership between WVSOM and another institution of higher learning. 

Kaef Rehman ’25, of Daniels, West Virginia; Abigail Patterson ’25, of Charleston, West Virginia comprised the first class of Go D.O Early Scholars and are now in their first year at WVSOM.

“We remain so proud of the students who have made the choice to pursue a career in osteopathic medicine,” Dr. James Moore, president of West Virginia Wesleyan College, said. “Our region needs primary care providers who understand how to treat the whole person, and I know these students will be among the best practitioners anywhere. We continue to be honored that West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine thought of Wesleyan to partner in this program.”

Nasif Mohammad ‘29, of Alpharetta, Georgia, is considering becoming a primary care physician. 

“Medicine interests me for several reasons, from the intricacies and complexities of human anatomy and physiology, the complex problem-solving aspect of diagnoses and treatment plans, the empathetic factor of patient care, and the high level of clinical responsibility associated with being a physician,” Mohammad said.  “Currently, the field of medicine I am most interested in is primary care, because of its focus on preventive health measures, the potential to build long-term interpersonal relationships with patients, and the opportunity to view a broader range of medical cases. 

Mohammad felt the Go D.O. program would be the best pathway to his goal of becoming a doctor.

“One of the main reasons I opted for this program was my passion for helping underserved areas,” he said. “I originally found out about this program when learning about various health disparities in the U.S for a research project. I found out that West Virginia faces some of the highest rates of chronic diseases in the country, partly due to the lack of primary care providers in the region. I subsequently found out about WVSOM and its commitment to increasing the number of PCPs in rural West Virginia. Although I am not from this region, I believe that completing my undergraduate studies here and becoming involved with the local communities will help me become more familiar with the state’s challenges.

“The guaranteed admission provided by the Go D.O. program, along with no MCAT requirement, allows additional time for focusing on academics and extracurriculars. This includes community service, research experience, clinical volunteering, and shadowing in rural clinics. These activities will allow me to become more well-rounded and will pay far more dividends for my future career than spending hundreds of hours studying for the MCAT.”

Ravenna Navalgund ’26, of Irvin, Pennsylvania; Srikiran Nandigama ‘26, of Salt Point, New York; Jack Monks ‘27, of Charleston, West Virginia;  Madelyn Armstrong ’27, of Bridgeport, West Virginia; Wyatt Burns ’27, of Weston, West Virginia; Jack Monks ’27, of Charleston, West Virginia;  Lanna Nguyen ‘27, of Bristow, Virginia; Drake O’Dell ‘28, of Craigsville, West Virginia, Chloe Cox ‘28, of Craigsville, West Virginia, and Dane Heath ‘28, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, and are currently in the Go D.O. Early Scholars Program.

Applications are now being accepted for 2026 admission. The priority deadline is December 1.  In-state and out-of-state students who score at least a 1390 on the SAT or at least a 30 on the ACT and have at least a 3.75 grade point average qualify for the Go D.O. Early Scholars Program. Click here to find out more. 

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for  135 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2026 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2026  Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan second in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and counseling; 22 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.