Farrell Adkins, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Farrell Adkins, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Director of Clinical Clerkships (Phase 2)
Assistant Professor
Experts @ VT profile
Position Responsibilities
As Director of Clinical Clerkships (Phase 2) at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM), Dr. Farrell Adkins provides strategic and operational leadership for the clerkship phase of the undergraduate medical curriculum. Phase 2 represents a critical period in students’ professional development as they transition into full-time clinical leaning, refine core clinical competencies, and explore specialty pathways.
In this role, Dr. Adkins works closely with education and health system leaders, including the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education, the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, clerkship directors and coordinators, and colleagues across the Office of Educational Affairs, to ensure a high-quality, well-integrated, and learner-centered clinical experience. He oversees the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of clerkship curricula and assessment, promotes vertical and horizontal curricular integration, and supports learning environments that foster professionalism, wellness, and educational excellence across all clinical sites.
Professional Background
Dr. Adkins, has been a member of the VTCSOM faculty since 2015 and brings extensive experience as a clinician-educator and educational leader. He has served as Surgery Clerkship Director since 2019, leading curriculum development, assessment refinement, and continuous quality improvement across surgical clinical experiences. Most recently, he served as Phase 2 Special Projects Director, working across disciplines to strengthen curricular integration and align assessment practices within the clerkship phase.
Known for his collaborative, transparent leadership style, Dr. Adkins is deeply committed to mentorship, learner development, and the creation of supportive, high quality clinical learning environments. His work is informed by national perspectives through his involvement with the Harvard Macy Institute Program for Educators in Health Professions and the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators.
Research Interests
- Surgical education and faculty development
- Learner assessment and competency-based medical education
- Clinical learning environments
- Educational scholarship and innovation
- Emerging technologies in medical education
Awards and Honors
- VTCSOM Scholarship in Education Award, 2025
- RUC PA Program, Physician Preceptor of the Year, 2025
- Associate Member, American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, 2024
- Virginia’s Top Doctors, Virginia Business Magazine 2024–2026
- Top Doctors, The Roanoker Magazine, 2018-2025
Education and Training
- MD, West Virginia University
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- Fellow, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (FASCRS)
- Bachelor’s, Biology and Chemistry, West Virginia Wesleyan College
- Residency, General Surgery, West Virginia University Hospitals
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Research, Surgical Oncology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Other Positions
- Colon and Rectal Surgeon, Carilion Clinic
- Prior Surgery Clerkship Director, VTCSOM
- Assistant Professor, VTCSOM