°µTV

Skip to main content
VCOM Campus

Virginia

virginia

Spencer Dant

Spencer Dant
Lead Applications Developer/Team Lead
Department/Discipline: Biomedical Affairs and Research
Campus: Virginia
0

Virginia Graduation Class of 2026

Virginia Graduation Class of 2026

Tags: graduation

Location: Burruss Hall (Doors open to guests at 9:00 AM)
Dress: Business casual attire

Graduates, Faculty, Stage Party, and Family Hooders arrive by 9:15 AM

Hotel Info

Hyatt Place - $159
Or Call 540-552-7500

Residence Inn - $159
Or Call 540-750-4400

The Inn at VA Tech - $155
Or Call 540-231-8000

Courtyard by Marriott - $164-174
Or Call 540-552-5222

Hilton Garden Inn - $139
Or Call 540-552-5005

For reservations made over the phone, mention that you are traveling for VCOM’s Graduation Ceremony to receive the group rate.

Campus: Virginia
When: May 8, 2026 10:00am to 12:30pm EDT

Frank Shushok, Jr.

Frank Shushok, Jr.
Frank Shushok, Jr, PhD, AF(AIAA) S(SFTE)
President - Roanoke College
Campus: Virginia
2

Bret Danilowicz

Bret Danilowicz
Bret Danilowicz, PhD
President - Radford University
Campus: Virginia
2

Abraham Hardee

What my Practice Looks Like today
As a Program Director, I balance a combination of direct patient care, residency development, mentorship with residents and junior faculty, and teaching formally in didactic and/or directly in the clinic. We also have 3rd & 4th-year medical students rotating with us.

What is the best advice you can give a medical student to help them in their path towards being a physician?
Allow for every opportunity to be a chance to learn something new. Once you have mastered an area, review it and learn how to communicate this knowledge with your future patients.

If you are a VCOM faculty member or a clinical preceptor, why did you want to return to VCOM?
It is important that the students understand the mindset of a community. The best way to learn this is by working directly with physicians who call this area home.

Have you participated in a VCOM International Outreach trip since graduation? Why did you want to go back to help?
I actively participate in these opportunities as an attending. It is a great time to help put into practice what you have learned. Also, it never hurts to reassure yourself of why you went into this profession in the first place. Lastly, the human condition is very different in other places.

What are your fondest memories about your time at VCOM?
Domestic and international medical opportunities

What career accomplishment are you most proud of?
That I am for fulfilling the mission of the school, plus, I'm a member of the class of 2007 (the originals).

When not working, what activities do you enjoy?
Anything outside with my family that gives a good workout. I also enjoy handyman projects and woodworking.

Abraham B Hardee, III, DO, PhD, AOBFP

Graduated: Class of 2007
Campus: Virginia
Prior School: Virginia Tech
Hometown: Blacksburg, VA
Abraham B Hardee, III, DO, PhD, AOBFP

It is important that the students understand the mindset of a community. The best way to learn this is by working directly with physicians who call this area home.

Alumni
Residency: Geisinger Medical Center: Traditional Rotating Intership (TRI), LewisGale Family Medicine Program
Specialty: Family Medicine

Mike Goforth

Mike Goforth
Mike Goforth, MS, ATC
Sports Medicine and Research Faculty
Department/Disciplines: Sports Medicine, Biomedical Affairs and Research
Campus: Virginia
0

Niyati Sheth

Current Practice Location: West side of Cleveland, Ohio, mainly Bon Secours Mercy Health, University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center, Mercy Allen, Specialty Hospital of Lorain, and University Hospital Avon Rehab Center. Dr. Sheth also has an outpatient practice in Lorain, Ohio.

​P±đ°ů˛ő´Ç˛Ô˛ą±ô: I am a wife and the mother of two very animated young boys - ages 2 and 5. They are always listening to my hospital conversations and feel the need to interject their personal opinions during my patient calls. I love them to the moon and back. 

​Advice for a student aspiring to study medicine:  Be teachable. Be grateful. Be kind. I am also a family person. It is VERY possible to find a healthy balance between home life and a solid career in medicine. Achieving that balance takes time and patience. It is important to take the time to take care of yourself: exercise, nourish yourselves, play hard, study hard, and every once in a while, stop, breathe, and re-evaluate the quality of your life. If it’s not working for you, don’t be afraid to change gears. This is not a failure. If you are overwhelmed, speak up, and seek help immediately. 

Advice from Dr. Sheth

Niyati Sheth, DO

Graduated: Class of 2007
Campus: Virginia
Prior School: University of Central Oklahoma
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Hometown: Edmond, OK
Niyati Sheth, DO
Alumni
Residency: Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital (Residency Class of 2010), The Cleveland Clinic (Fellowship Class of 2012)
Specialty: Infectious Diseases in Adults

Jonathan Schneider

Current Practice: North Mississippi Medical Center, Tupelo, MS

What my practice looks like today: Orthopedic Trauma Surgery employed at a busy level 2 trauma center.

Advice from Dr. Schneider

Jonathan Schneider, DO

Graduated: Class of 2016
Campus: Virginia
Prior School: University of Central Florida
Degree: BS – Communications
Hometown: Sarasota, FL
Jonathan Schneider, DO
Alumni
Residency: Larkin Community Hospital Orthopedic Surgery Residency Fellowship: Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Fellowship, University of Oklahoma in Tulsa
Specialty: Orthopedic Trauma Surgery

Frank V. Schirripa

Current Practice Location: Interventional Pain Physician at Orlin & Cohen Orthopedics! 

Personal: I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. I love all types of food cuisines and enjoy trying to replicate them at home with my wife, Paulina. My wife and I try to travel when we can within the U.S. and internationally to learn further about different cultures. I also enjoy watching live sports such as football, basketball, tennis, golf, and baseball.

Advice from Dr. Schirripa

Frank V. Schirripa, DO

Graduated: Class of 2017
Campus: Virginia
Prior School: Quinnipiac University
Degree: BS - Biomedical Sciences
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Dr. Frank V. Schirripa, DO
Alumni
Residency: New York Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Schirripa served as the Chief Medical Resident Representative for Residents and Fellows for the “American Society of International Pain Physicians”.
Specialty: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

VCOM-Virginia Fall Open House

VCOM-Virginia Fall Open House

Tags: open house

Find out how we are inspired to make a difference in our communities and beyond.

Please join us to:

  • Learn about our innovative and integrated curriculum and the osteopathic profession
  • See Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) in practice
  • Meet and talk with current students and faculty

Register

Campus: Virginia
When: November 8, 2025 1:00pm to 4:00pm EST
Subscribe to Virginia