Darnita Anderson Hill to speak at VCOM-Virginia

Darnita Anderson Hill, DO, will be the keynote speaker for the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine’s William G. Anderson, DO, Speakers Series, the premier event of VCOM’s Black History Month celebration. Her talk will take place at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 6 in the VCOM II lecture room at VCOM’s Blacksburg campus.

Dr. Hill, a board-certified family medicine physician, earned her undergraduate degree from Spelman College in Atlanta and continued her education at Michigan State University – College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her book entitled, Blacks in Osteopathic Medicine: An Idea Whose Time Has Come details the role and contribution of African-Americans in the development of osteopathic medicine. From a family of osteopaths and civil rights leaders, Dr. Hill is also a strong advocate for minority representation in the osteopathic community and equitable healthcare access.

According to the biography on her website, Dr. Hill grew up with a mindset that access to medical services especially for healing purposes, should be available and accessible to all. Dr. Hill is the daughter of William G. Anderson, DO, for whom VCOM’s speaker series was named. Dr. Anderson was the first African American to serve as a member of the American Osteopathic Association. He was also co-leader of the Albany Movement, a civil rights coalition in Albany, Georgia. As a civil rights leader, he worked closely with Martin Luther King, Jr. He was also a member of VCOM’s founding Board of Directors.

VCOM has been recognized several times for its dedication to ensuring diversity across its four campuses (https://www.vcom.edu/news/2022/11/16/edward-college-osteopathic-medicine-recognized-its-efforts-increase-diversity-healthcare). Events like Dr. Hill’s talk are part of that commitment.

The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is a national organization that is committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians (https://snma.org/). VCOM’s chapter of the SNMA leads the College’s Black History Month events.

The media is invited to join the VCOM community for this event.