WVSOM launches Mountaineer Mile initiative to promote health and wellness

LEWISBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) is joining the effort to improve the health of West Virginians by adopting Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s “Mountaineer Mile” walking initiative.

The medical school’s version of the program will encourage students, faculty, and staff to walk a mile every Monday on WVSOM’s Lewisburg campus, joined by President James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., or another member of the school’s leadership team.

Community members are also invited to participate.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our state to move the needle when it comes to reducing obesity and positively impacting chronic disease,” said Nemitz. “I’m proud to lead the governor’s Mountaineer Mile initiative on our campus.”

In addition to the weekly walks, the program will include weight loss goals for the campus community, weekly step and weight tracking, and health education and resources provided through the school’s Center for Rural and Community Health.

The initiative also aims to support surrounding communities in the Greenbrier Valley in participating in the statewide program.

The first campus walk is scheduled for April 14, with participants meeting at 12 p.m. in front of the WVSOM Student Center’s Alumni Tower.

WVSOM recently introduced a new “Finding Health” curriculum, launched in summer 2024, which incorporates wellness, nutrition, exercise, lifestyle, and preventive medicine into student training.

The approach reflects the principles of osteopathic medicine, which emphasizes the integration of body, mind, and spirit and the body’s natural ability to heal and maintain health.

Nemitz encouraged other colleges and universities to adopt the walking initiative as well.

“I challenge other schools to adopt the governor’s Mountaineer Mile walking initiative in the hope that we can work together to improve the health of our population,” he said.

“WVSOM teaches future physicians that physical movement is an important part of maintaining patients’ well-being, and we believe higher education can play a role in establishing habits that lead to better health.”

WVSOM’s Chief Operations Officer, Drema Hill, Ph.D., expressed her support for the effort and shared her own health journey.

“As a person who has lost 160 pounds, I know weight loss is not easy,” Hill said. “I applaud the governor for taking a personal stand to set an example. I look forward to walking many Mountaineer Miles, and I hope all West Virginians will follow his lead so that we can get healthier together.”