David and Elaine Gozal can often be spotted walking together around Huntington, their beloved dachshunds in tow. 

Lately, however, their steps have had a little more wiggle. 

The couple is already practicing for Marshall University’s “Dancing with the Herd” on Nov. 20, when David Gozal, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon.), vice president for health affairs and dean of the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, and his wife, Elaine, will take to the dance floor to raise scholarship dollars for School of Medicine students. 

"We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Dancing with the Herd initiative that generates hope for Marshall University students, although I have to be honest – seeing my husband struggle to navigate the dance floor is quite amusing," Elaine Gozal said. "I love him so much for the effort." 

While they are keeping some details of their performance under wraps, their routine may include a playful take on "Doxxi" dancing. 

Beyond learning the steps—and perhaps enduring a little good-natured teasing—the Gozals are using the competition to create a lasting opportunity for future physicians. They have set a goal of raising at least $26,000 to establish the Country Roads First Steps Scholarship at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. 

The endowed scholarship will provide $1,000 annually to an entering first-year medical student from West Virginia who will be the first member of their family to attend medical school. The award will be renewable for three additional years as long as the recipient maintains normal academic progress. 

The scholarship’s name reflects both its West Virginia roots and the first steps its recipients are taking toward a career in medicine. 

"Being a first-generation physician in my family primed Elaine and I to pay it forward," David Gozal said. "And what better way to do this than by embarrassing myself on the dance floor?" 

The Gozals hope their Dancing with the Herd campaign will raise enough to fully endow the scholarship—and perhaps go even further. 

“Our hope is that our friends and our Marshall community will help us exceed the $26,000 needed to establish the scholarship—and perhaps even raise enough to create more than one,” Dr. Gozal said. 

For a couple accustomed to covering plenty of miles together, Dancing with the Herd represents a different kind of journey—one that could help a West Virginia student take their own first steps toward becoming a physician. 

Support the Country Roads First Steps Scholarship 

Faculty, staff, alumni, students and friends of the School of Medicine are invited to support the Gozals’ Dancing with the Herd campaign and help create lasting scholarship support for future Marshall physicians.  

To support the Gozals’ dancing journey and the Country Roads First Step Scholarship, visit give.marshall.edu/project/50876.  

Date Posted: Friday, October 16, 2026