LEWISBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Two West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine employees have been recognized as “West Virginia Wonder Women” for their community work on a statewide scale.
WV Living Magazine recently recognized WVSOM Chief Operations Officer, Drema Hill, Ph.D., MSP and Regional Assistant Dean for the South Central Region of WVSOM‘s Statewide Campus, Katherine Hill Calloway, D.O., MPH as two of 50 “West Virginia Wonder Women” in the publication’s fall 2024 issue.
“I am pleased to join my female colleagues across the state who were selected to be honored as West Virginia Wonder Women,” said Hill. “We all have different areas of expertise, but together, we make West Virginia stronger.”
In her current role, Hill develops and implements processes which help the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine achieve its determined objectives strategically. Additionally, she is responsible for overseeing WVSOM’s Center for Rural and Community Health, Audio Visual and Production Department, Information Technology Department, and Marketing and Communications Department, as well as serving as Director of Rural Health Policy.
“I have had a long career in public health, and I still most enjoy working with community partners to foster and implement innovative ideas that improve health outcomes in disenfranchised populations,” she said. “West Virginia is my home. I love the mountains, and I love the people.”
Calloway also expressed gratitude and enthusiasm with regard to the distinction, which recognized the extensive work conducted she has conducted both on the local and global scales.
“It reminds me of how much strength we have in West Virginia. The things these women are doing are incredible and impactful in a way that will bring a legacy and will make a difference for generations to come. To be considered part of that group of women is a huge honor and privilege,” she said. “The things I did globally were relevant to what we do here in our rural communities because there are so many similarities to chronic disease management or to working in areas that are resource poor. Coming back to West Virginia has been incredibly fulfilling to not only apply some of what we were doing with health care globally to our communities but also because this is part of my heritage,”
WVSOM President James W. Nemitz, PhD., extended his congratulations to two of the newest “West Virginia Wonder Women,” and made note of the impact left by the two individuals as a result of their ongoing service efforts.
“The women representing WVSOM have proven to be remarkable game changers in the health care industry and public health sector,” he said. “Dr. Calloway is a physician who has served communities locally and internationally, and Dr. Hill is an influential change-maker when it comes to public health and public policy in the state. Each year I am grateful that WV Living recognizes women for their successes
and the impact they make.”
