Bob Foster, D.O. — Osteopathic Medicine as a Key to Well-Bing

A keeper of the institutional memory at WVSOM (some might say he’s an institution within himself), Robert “Bob” Foster, D.O., retired as the school’s associate dean of osteopathic medical education in 2023 after 45 years of service. His relationship with WVSOM began in 1978 when he became an associate professor. “A friend called me from here and said they’re starting this new school to train rural physicians,” he said. “My ears perked up because that was where the great need was. The appeal was the mission of the school.”

Foster has authored and co-authored many papers and given many presentations focused on the learning and delivery of osteopathic medicine. He played a key role in the grow shadow mb-3th of osteopathic medicine in the Mountain State with his commitment to teaching, advising and mentoring osteopathic physicians in rural communities in West Virginia and across the U.S. “When I came here, there were around 60 D.O.s in the whole state,” he said. With hundreds of D.O.s now in practice in West Virginia, the school’s presence has had a significant impact. “Most of them are WVSOM graduates, or they’ve set the tone for other D.O.s to come here.”