The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg was chartered in 1972 to train doctors for rural West Virginia. It was started in old buildings from a military school by doctors who wanted more primary care doctors in the state, particularly in rural areas.

Osteopathic medicine, as a profession, began in the 1870s and focuses on treating the whole body. Osteopathic doctors (D.O.s) learn regular medicine and special hands-on techniques to help patients. Many become primary care doctors.

The school officially opened in 1974 with support from the government and local doctors. It became part of West Virginia’s higher education system in 1975. The first class graduated in 1978. Since then, the school has grown with new buildings and programs. It is known as one of the nation's top 50 medical schools in the U.S. for training primary care doctors.