History
About Virginia Tech Carilion
On January 3, 2007, Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger, then Carilion Clinic President and CEO Edward G. Murphy, and the governor of Virginia joined to announce the creation of a public-private partnership in the form of a new medical school and research institute, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute. The organization was officially chartered in 2008. In 2019, the research institute was renamed to Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.
Unique Public-Private Partnership
Collectively called Virginia Tech Carilion (VTC), the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Fralin Biomedical Research Institute leverages Virginia Tech’s world-class strength in basic sciences, bioinformatics, and engineering with Carilion Clinic’s highly experienced medical staff and rich history in medical education. Virginia Tech Carilion improves human health and quality of life by providing leadership in medical education and biomedical and clinical research.
Learn more about the partners, Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic.
Educating Today’s Physician
Utilizing an innovative patient-centered curriculum, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) addresses the increasing need for research-competent physicians who can translate research from the bench to the bedside and into the community. Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine will also ameliorate some of the physician shortage that has been identified as a priority by the American Association of Medical Colleges and the American Medical Association.
Conducting Today’s Research
Research conducted at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI) creates a bridge between basic science research at Virginia Tech and clinical expertise at Carilion Clinic and increases translational research opportunities for both partners. Research conducted by scientists at the institute is aimed at understanding the molecular basis for health and disease, and development of diagnostic tools, treatments, and therapies that will contribute to the prevention and solution of existing and emerging problems in contemporary medicine. Research areas of emphasis which presently align with areas of strength and active research at Virginia Tech include inflammation, infectious disease, neuroscience, and cardiovascular science and cardiology.
Virginia Tech Carilion is located near downtown Roanoke, Va., adjacent to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, in a burgeoning biomedical health sciences campus. The Virginia Tech Carilion building is contemporary in style and is partially constructed with Hokie Stone, the traditional stone utilized on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg.
In May 2008, the governor of Virginia formally signed legislation approving a capital projects bond package including $59 million for Virginia Tech Carilion.