By David Gozal, M.D., MBA, Ph.D. (Hon)

Each year, Doctors' Day offers a meaningful opportunity to recognize the physicians who care for our communities with skill, compassion and dedication. It is also a moment to reflect on how those physicians came to be—and the responsibility we share in preparing the next generation to follow in their footsteps.

At the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, that responsibility is deeply personal.

Our School of Medicine was founded to serve West Virginia and the surrounding Appalachian region. Nearly five decades later, that goal remains unchanged—but its urgency has grown. Rural communities continue to face significant physician shortages, and the need for well-trained, community-focused doctors has never been greater.

That is why everything we do—education, clinical care, research and outreach—is guided by a clear mission: to empower the future of medicine by elevating education, driving discovery and championing wellness throughout Appalachia and beyond. 

This time of year brings that mission into sharp focus.

In mid-March, we celebrated Match Day, when graduating medical students learn where they will continue their training. This year, our students matched into highly competitive programs nationwide, with about 41% choosing to remain in West Virginia.

That momentum carried across our graduate medical education programs, which filled 100% of first-year residency positions. This July, we will also welcome our first class of anesthesiology residents, expanding training in a high-need specialty.

In May, we will gather for commencement, recognizing this group of future physicians and scientists as they take the next step in their careers. For many, that path will ultimately lead back to the communities that shaped them—completing the full cycle of education, training and service.

We are also preparing to welcome our 49th class of medical students this summer. With an expanded class size, Marshall is creating more opportunities for aspiring physicians while directly addressing workforce shortages across our state and region. Each new student represents not only a future physician, but a renewed commitment to improving health outcomes where they are needed most.

Looking ahead, our vision for the future is equally focused on impact.

Plans for a new School of Medicine building will support modern medical education, expanded research and collaborative learning environments that reflect the evolving nature of health care. This investment will help ensure that our students and trainees are equipped with the tools, technology and experiences needed to deliver high-quality care in both rural and urban settings.

As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2027, we are proud of how far we have come—and even more focused on where we are going.

Our faculty and researchers continue to contribute to groundbreaking work published in leading scientific journals, advancing knowledge in areas that directly affect the health of our communities. These discoveries not only shape the future of medicine but also enhance the education of our students, who learn in an environment where innovation and inquiry are part of everyday practice.

On Doctors’ Day, we celebrate the physicians who care for patients today. But we also recognize the students, residents and fellows who represent the future of health care and the faculty who train them.

Their journeys begin in classrooms and clinics, but they are ultimately defined by the communities they choose to serve.

At Marshall, we remain committed to ensuring that journey comes full circle—training physicians who not only excel in their fields but also return to care for the people and places that need them most.

That is how we honor the spirit of Doctors’ Day—not just by recognizing today’s physicians, but by investing in those who will carry that calling forward.

Dr. David Gozal, a renowned pediatric pulmonologist and researcher, serves as vice president for health affairs and dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University.

Date Posted: Monday, March 30, 2026