President's Message
Greetings Mountaineer Doc Nation! I am honored to serve as President of our West Virginia University School of Medicine Alumni Association this year. It is a privilege to work alongside an extraordinary alumni team (Brian, Gina, and Kim), executive council, and to represent a community that continues to embody the very best of our profession! Thank you for this opportunity.
“Let’s Go…Mountaineers!”
It’s a chant we know well—one that echoes through stadiums, classrooms, and across our shared experiences as Mountaineers. It is more than tradition; it is a rallying cry rooted in teamwork, unity, and the drive to make a difference. These same qualities define not only our time at WVU, but also the profession, patients, families, and communities we serve.
Recently, I had the honor of participating in the 30th annual John W. Traubert White Coat Ceremony, welcoming the Class of 2028 into the clinical phase of their medical education. It was a powerful reminder of the journey we have all taken—one that begins with anticipation and quickly evolves into a profound responsibility to care for others.
The white coat represents more than a transition in training. It symbolizes entry into a profession grounded in trust, compassion, and lifelong learning. In many ways, it is the jersey we wear as members of the medical team—one that connects us across specialties, institutions, and generations. Although I appreciate that some of us may no longer wear a white coat in our everyday practice or we may have hung the coat up altogether, the white coat itself remains symbolic of the hard work and dedication to become a WVU doc. As alumni, we have the unique privilege of helping to place that coat on the shoulders of future physicians, offering not only a symbol, but also our support.
Each year, alumni contributions make it possible to provide white coats to students. Tucked inside each coat is a personal message of encouragement—a simple and meaningful reminder that no student walks this path alone. Thank you for your generosity. This gesture, and others like sponsoring stethoscopes for oath signing ceremony, supporting scholarships, supplying students with snacks for studying, match day merch, graduation brunch, WVU School of Medicine ‘swag’, alumni weekend festivities, and more I could share, these each reflect the strength of our alumni network and the enduring commitment to those who follow in our footsteps.
Medical education, as we all remember, is both challenging and transformative. The pace can feel relentless—like trying to drink from a fire hose as Dr. Ferrari shared with my class and many others during orientations over the years—but through perseverance and teamwork, as true Mountaineers we kept climbing. Along the way, classmates become lifelong colleagues and friends, forming bonds that sustain us well beyond our training years.
As alumni, we now have the opportunity—and responsibility—to give back. Whether through mentorship, engagement, or financial support, every contribution strengthens the foundation for future generations. Our West Virginia University School of Medicine Alumni Association continues to play a vital role in supporting medical students, fostering alumni engagement, and advancing the mission of our alma mater. Thank you for those who are members – membership matters – please consider encouraging classmates and others to join our association so we can continue to meet the moment to support Mountaineers now and into the future.
West Virginia University is a special place (yes, I am biased)—a place that shaped our careers, our values, and our sense of purpose. My WVU journey started as an invited walk on the WVU women's basketball team, yes, the 2026 Big XII Tournament Champions West Virginia University Mountaineers!!! I played center-guard -- center of the bench guarding the water bottles. Despite my limited playing time, it was an honor to wear the gold and blue jersey and represent my home state team. It has been an even greater honor to wear the WVU white coat and serve the people of this great state as I journeyed through medical school, residency, and now in my practice as a pediatrician at WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Residing in Morgantown with my supportive husband as we raise our curious and fun-loving toddler, much has changed since I came to WVU in 2003 and much has also stayed the same – particularly the passionate people with giving spirit. Wherever you live or work now, know that country roads will always take you home. As we look ahead, I encourage each of you to stay connected, remain engaged, and continue to support the mission of our home among the hills, the West Virginia University School of Medicine. As my class of 2011 celebrates our 15-year anniversary this year, I hope to see many of you during alumni weekend this fall, October 16-17, 2026.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to building on the strong legacy of those who came before us and working together to support the next generation of Mountaineer Docs.
Let’s Go…!
Lisa Costello, MD, MPH, FAAP
Class of 2011