Christopher L. Pankey, Ph.D.

Christopher Pankey, Ph.D., assistant professor at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), learned early in life the secret to getting anything he wanted—work for it.

A northwest Colorado native, Pankey is no stranger to the rural way of living that exists throughout West Virginia. His family raised cattle for multiple generations, and he grew up on a ranch with his younger brother, Michael.

For Pankey, family is everything. His mother’s and brother’s guidance and support, especially after his father’s passing, was pivotal in Pankey finding his purpose. Seeing his brother’s success, he contemplated quitting school and joining his crew at the coal mine.

“After giving me a hard time about how I was too soft to work in the mines that I would never make it, he also shared some heartfelt advice and encouraged me to just keep showing up on time working hard,” Pankey shares. “That conversation was a big moment for me, and it kept me grinding toward my education.”

Pankey has always held himself to high expectations, so accepting that he failed college as an undergraduate was a difficult yet imperative part of his journey to success.

“I don’t even think my family knows. I think I may have even made up a lie at the time that I was taking a break or something similar to spend time with my family,” he says. “Looking at where I am now, I think it’s important for me to share this experience and demonstrate that failing doesn’t make you a failure.”

Pankey’s journey to becoming an assistant professor took several years. Through hard work and discipline, he earned his undergraduate degree and Ph.D. and eventually earned an opportunity with WVSOM.

As an assistant professor, Pankey has the privilege of mentoring medical students. He works with them on research projects and has witnessed them win cash prizes for their work, win research competitions, publish scientific manuscripts and find success in other ways.

“I’ve never experienced a more powerful motivator than the connections I’ve made with these students, and the deep satisfaction of watching my mentees stand out among their peers keeps me highly motivated,” Pankey says.

While Pankey considers the moments he shares with his students to be his greatest success, he also succeeds in
serving his community—contributing to Mus­cles for Miracles’ fundraising efforts, volunteering for WVSOM Day of Service, providing physical activity consults to community members and WVSOM affiliates, providing educational seminars for student clubs such as OB-GYN Club and Medical Student Pride Alliance and volunteering for organizations that provide local, economically disadvantaged families with school supplies or Christmas gifts, such as Heart of the Holidays, Adopt a Student, Fill the Bus and Toys for Tots.

“I try to stay active in community service because you never know how far your contributions may go,” Pankey says. “We have a lot of great people in this community, and I feel like community service shows people that they are important and appreciated.”

While he initially moved to West Virginia with a five-year plan to move back out West, Pankey decided to settle in the Mountain State with his wife, Meghan, because they fell in love with the area.

“The climate is wonderful, the outdoor activities are almost endless and the scenery is beautiful,” Pankey shares. “West Virginia has all the things we love and all the things we love to do.”