Eastern Virginia Medical School, now formally affiliated with Old Dominion University, is now a public medical school operating as the EVMS School of Medicine within Old Dominion University, serving the Hampton Roads region of coastal Virginia. Founded in 1973 as a community-focused institution, EVMS trains physicians oriented toward primary care, community health, and underserved populations. Its clinical training network spans Sentara Health, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, and VA medical facilities. The school is notable for its reproductive medicine program and research in reproductive health, diabetes, and health disparities.
What makes it different
EVMS was founded in 1973 in direct response to a shortage of community physicians in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and retains a strong community health and primary care mission. Its close affiliation with Old Dominion University enables interdisciplinary health sciences programs. The school trains students through a network of community and hospital sites serving the diverse Hampton Roads and South Hampton Roads population, including significant military and veteran communities.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD. Preclinical years are organ-system integrated. Core clerkships at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, and community health centers. A community service requirement is embedded throughout the curriculum; students complete clinical experiences in underserved Hampton Roads settings.
Research strengths
Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University (MD) has notable research strength in Reproductive health and infertility, Diabetes and metabolic disease, Health disparities, Cardiovascular medicine, Military veteran health.
Interview
Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University (MD) interviews via MMI (multiple stations, in-person). EVMS conducts an MMI with multiple stations assessing communication, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving in clinical and community contexts. Each station runs approximately eight minutes with a brief reading period. The full interview day includes an orientation, campus tour of the Norfolk Health Sciences Campus, and informal Q&A with current students. Assessors score each station independently; EVMS emphasizes interpersonal skills and community-health awareness in its evaluation.
Intake
Approximately 150 students per year.
At a glance
Founded in 1973, based in Norfolk, VA. Programmes offered: Primary Care, Reproductive Medicine, Community Health, Internal Medicine, Military and Veterans Health.