Artis Family Donated $5.1 Million for VCOM Scholarships
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine will name its new building in Blacksburg after the donors.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Scholarships
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H. Pat and Nancy E. Artis have committed $5.1 million in scholarship funding to the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. In recognition of the gift, VCOM-Virginia will name its new Health Sciences Education Building for the couple.
Why it matters
The donation aims to reduce the financial burden on medical students, helping to ensure a steady pipeline of future physicians. This investment builds upon the donors' long-term support for medical education in the region.
The donation supports the development of a 48,000-square-foot facility at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. Currently, nearly 300 VCOM-trained physicians provide care across Roanoke and the New River Valley.
The players
H. Pat and Nancy E. Artis
The couple are philanthropic donors who have previously funded over 30 scholarships for students at VCOM-Virginia.
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
This medical school operates a campus in Blacksburg and trains physicians to serve the needs of the surrounding region.
The details
VCOM-Virginia plans to renovate the 48,000-square-foot building acquired within the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center to expand its educational capacity. The renaming of this facility honors the Artis family's history of funding medical training for local students.
Timeline
The college announced the gift and building naming on October 13, 2026.
Culture Shift
This contribution reflects a broader shift toward private philanthropy becoming essential to the expansion of medical education infrastructure. By easing the financial strain on medical trainees, the donation addresses long-term healthcare accessibility trends in the New River Valley.
Residents in Blacksburg and the surrounding New River Valley can expect increased access to medical care as the expanded facility trains more local physicians. The scholarship program directly benefits current and prospective students by reducing the cost of medical training.
The takeaway
Large-scale private donations often serve as the primary catalyst for expanding specialized educational facilities in regional markets. Prospective medical students should look for university-wide donor announcements to identify potential new sources of financial aid.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational funding and awards in our Scholarships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSLS.
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