Dr. James Powers

Biography

Dr. James Powers joined the CUSOM family in October 2015 as the Associate Dean for Clinical Integration and a Professor of Emergency Medicine. A 1992 magna cum laude graduate with a B.S. in Finance from Virginia Tech, his passion for medicine developed while serving as a volunteer EMT on the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad. Following graduation, he continued his EMS studies obtaining certification as a National Registered Paramedic along with instructor certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Basic Trauma Life Support and Basic Life Support. While completing his pre-medical courses at Old Dominion University, Dr. Powers worked full time as an Instructor of Emergency Medical Technology at Tidewater Community College where he taught a number of advanced life support classes including a specially designed accelerated paramedic program for U.S. Special Forces Operators including Army Rangers, USAF Pararescue and Navy Seals. During this time he also served as a paramedic and field training officer with the VA Beach Rescue Squad and as a Tactical Paramedic with the Virginia Beach Police Department SWAT Team. Dr. Powers graduated as class valedictorian from Midwestern University – Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2002. He completed his Emergency Medicine Residency training at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA where he served as Chief Resident and a co-investigator of a research project that won the Virginia ACEP McDade Award for Resident Research. Following completion of residency training, he relocated to Blacksburg, Virginia to begin clinical practice and continue his involvement in EMS, serving as the Operational Medical Director for the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad and Christiansburg Rescue Squad. In 2007 he joined the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine serving as Associate Chair of Emergency Medicine, Chair of Emergency Medicine, and then Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. Dr. Powers has participated in a number of international medical mission and disaster relief trips and has also served as Medical Officer with the Virginia-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team since 2009. He has been an active participant in the NBOME COMLEX Level 2-CE item writing and review process since 2009 and has served as the NBOME National Chair of Emergency Medicine since 2014. Outside of work, he spends time with his family watching football and training in martial arts.

Research Interest

Emergency Medicine