E-Pylons WVU Medical Students

08/24/2025

Today is Vesuvius Day. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD was one of the most catastrophic and infamous volcanic eruptions in European history. Today Mount Vesuvius is the only active volcano on the European mainland. Its last eruption was in 1944. It remains a popular tourist attraction, many making the hike to the crater rim each year. This image was taken circa 2006.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/vesuvius-erupts

08/19/2025

Nice job Dr Lam!

08/15/2025

Today is an important day in the Catholic faith: The Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which commemorates the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven. As defined by Pope Pius XII, the Virgin Mary had “completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenful glory.” Likewise, Dormition of the Theotokos is an Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Church commemoration of the passing of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Those whose faith follows Assumption believe that Mary was assumed into heaven. However, dormition is the belief that Mary died a natural death and was accepted into heaven after resurrection. Many faiths observe this tradition through various degrees of fasting in the weeks prior to the day. Some churches may choose to observe customs and rituals on the Sunday nearest August 15.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assumption_of_Mary

08/09/2025

Today, Raksha Bandhan, literally meaning “the tie or knot of protection” in Sanskrit, is a Hindu festival that honors the love between brothers and sisters. It is marked by the tying of a rakhi thread by the sister on the wrist of her brother. Often, many families see this day in a broader context, bringing together cousins and distant relatives to celebrate familial ties.
Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raksha_Bandhan

08/05/2025

Larry Rhodes, MD, pediatric cardiologist, was recognized for his role as executive director of West Virginia University’s Institute for Community and Rural Health, which coordinates rural health education and service opportunities across all WVU Health Sciences schools and programs in collaboration with West Virginia Area Health Education Centers. It also supports students in their rural-oriented education and outreach efforts. Dr. Rhodes is the former chair of pediatrics and the inaugural Walker Chair in Pediatric Cardiology. In 2013 he was names the Rural Health Practitioner of the Year by the NRHA (National Rural Health Association).

08/04/2025

Class of 2024 graduate, Dr. Connor Nevin recently was recognized with the Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award at the University of North Carolina Internal Medicine Program. The selection was made by the graduating seniors to recognize enthusiasm for teaching medical students, including students in decision making, and promoting students involvement with the team. We are so proud of Dr. Nevin! and thank him for taking a little bit of WV to NC.

08/02/2025

Today is an important day in the Jewish faith. Tisha B’Av is a fast to commemorate the destruction of two very holy and sacred temples of Judaism destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E. and Romans in 70 C.E. Select passages recited from the Torah and the symbolic netilat yadayim (washing of the hands) is performed. This image shows excavated stones from the Western Wall, 70 CE. Learn more at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tisha_B%27Av

08/01/2025

Today is Lughnasadh, a traditional Gaelic holiday celebrated on August first in the northern hemisphere and February first in the southern. The holiday is most often associated with the beginning of the harvest season. Many observers celebrate the pre-Christian traditions of the British Isles, and particularly, the life of the God Lugh. Although strongly observed by the Irish and the Scots, the Welsh celebrate a similar holiday entitled Calan Awst and the English celebrate Lammas. In the Lammas tradition, observers made a loaf of bread from their first wheat harvest and took it to church for blessing. All occurrences of the observance allow participants to recognize a strong cultural identity. Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lughnasadh

08/01/2025

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Vaccinations are important for children and keeping them healthy and safe. Going back to school in the fall is a good time to check your child’s immunization and vaccination status. However, vaccines are also important for adults and are very important right now. To learn more about vaccinations you may need or consider, visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html

07/30/2025

Today is International Day of Friendship, which began in 2011 with a proclamation from the UN. It celebrates the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, and cultures can inspire peace and build bridges between communities. (Photo credit: Yaradina) Learn more at: http://www.un.org/en/events/friendshipday/

07/28/2025

Here is a great article about two of our students who served our country in the US military.

Brentyn Jones and Jerry “Ted” Price, two students enrolled in the West Virginia University School of Medicine Medical Degree program, have been named as Pat Tillman Foundation Scholars and join 40 other military veterans, service members and spouses who aspire to make a positive difference in co...

07/28/2025

World Hepatitis Day, which began in 2004, is recognized annually on July 28th and corresponds to the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed the first hepatitis B vaccine. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about hepatitis, a disease that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. There are an estimated 290 million people living with hepatitis without knowing it. Learn more here: http://www.worldhepatitisday.org/