ELKINS – Aliyah Plum always thought she wanted to become a doctor. Now, the Davis & Elkins College sophomore is positive she wants to continue her education in medicine after completing the Green Coat Program provided by the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) at Davis Medical Center.

A sophomore majoring in biology, Plum is among a select group of D&E students who have participated in the internship program since 2015. The partnership among the College, WVSOM and the hospital requires that students spend more than 100 hours job shadowing physicians and other health care providers to gain an in-depth perspective of the professions.

Plum says the internship provided a well-rounded view of various careers in the clinical environment, as well as the business aspect of operating a hospital. Although she found observing a total knee replacement to be the most interesting segment, that didn’t sway her away from her dream of becoming a pediatrician.

“I went in with an open mind, but I’m still set on pediatrics,” Plum said. “Overall it was a great experience and I’m fortunate to have an opportunity that not many others get to have. Everyone at the hospital was eager to help and very welcoming.”

A 2019 graduate of Tucker County High School and current resident of Elkins, Plum has an interest in continuing her education at WVSOM.
The Green Coat Program is provided by WVSOM’s Rural Health Initiative with financial assistance as a grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Open to college sophomores and juniors who are interested in medical school or a health care profession, the program provides daily interaction in a hospital setting.