A WVU love story with health care education mission

West Virginia University associate professor Miriam Leary, along with her colleagues in WVU Exercise Physiology , help students turn a passion for movement into a purpose in health care - with hands-on learning and close mentorship from the start. (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)

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Love stories come in many forms.

Miriam Leary 's started in Exercise Physiology at West Virginia University with a shared love of the field that eventually led to two faculty offices so close together that her now husband's Bluetooth headphones sync to her computer.

Leary, an associate professor and assistant chairperson in the WVU School of MedicineDivision of Exercise Physiology, chuckles about the day-to-day overlap.

Her husband, Brian Leary, is also an associate professor in the Division. The two met as graduate students in the WVU Exercise Physiology master's program, earned their PhDs together at the University of Texas at Austin and "came home to WVU as soon as possible."

Now they're both faculty teaching in the Exercise Physiology bachelor's program, raising two young sons and training future health care professionals.

From co-teaching courses to guiding career goals, Miriam and Brian Leary, along with the rest of the WVU Exercise Physiology faculty , are helping nearly 700 students chart intentional paths into health care in West Virginia and beyond. (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)

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"We work together every day," Leary said. "It's one of my favorite parts of my job - we even co-teach a course in the spring. The students know us very well. They hear all about our family, our kids and our lives outside of work. I think it humanizes us and makes us more approachable. Students feel comfortable asking questions and seeking mentorship."

Leary initially came to WVU with medical school in mind. She earned a bachelor's degree in exercise biology from the University of California, Davis, and searched for a graduate program that would provide deep clinical exposure.

Miriam Leary, associate professor and assistant chairperson, WVU School of Medicine, Division of Exercise Physiology (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)

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With access to specialized facilities - including cadaver anatomy labs, human performance and motion capture labs, NIH-funded research labs, and aquatic therapy spaces - both undergraduate and graduate Exercise Physiology students gain hands-on experience, research training and professional connections from day one at WVU.

While completing her master's, Leary landed the Division's first teaching assistantship - an experience that changed her trajectory.

"I unexpectedly fell in love with teaching," Leary said. "That was the moment I realized I wanted to be an educator."

Leary's early enthusiasm still bubbles up when she talks about the Exercise Physiology bachelor's program now. With almost 700 students, the undergraduate program is large, but intentionally structured to feel personal, she explained.

In the WVU School of Medicine's Division of Exercise Physiology, teaching and training the future health care workforce is a daily mission for Miriam and Brian Leary, shown here co-teaching a class. (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)

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"We do a lot to make sure students never feel like a number. All our labs are taught by faculty. Academic advising is done by faculty. Mentorship is delivered by faculty. We want students interacting directly with faculty at every stage of their education and to build meaningful relationships that support them through graduation."

In a field that's often framed through sports performance or limited to a single clinical destination, Leary emphasizes what makes Exercise Physiology at WVU distinct - and why that difference matters for students trying to find their place in health care.

"At WVU, Exercise Physiology is a comprehensive pre-health program preparing students for a variety of health care careers. We are intentionally training the future health care workforce for West Virginia and beyond."

That philosophy shapes how Leary advises students as they navigate demanding coursework and long-term career decisions.

"I try to remind students to think beyond the pressure of four years. It can feel like everything is riding on that short window, but our program has successfully prepared students for health care careers for over 30 years. We know how to help them get where they want to go."

Part of that preparation is practical, she said, with strong GPAs, clinical hours, experiential learning and meaningful volunteering. But Leary pushes beyond the checklist mindset.

Leary said s tudents in the WVU Exercise Physiology bachelor's degree program gain real-world experience through specialized facilities and faculty-led labs designed to prepare them for a range of health care careers. (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)

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"Yes, strong academics and clinical experiences matter, but it's also about being intentional - choosing opportunities that align with who you are and the kind of health professional you want to become."

That same intentionality extends to her work outside the classroom. Her focus is on supporting student retention and building professional development across the curriculum, with the goal of serving West Virginia through workforce preparation.

Beyond campus, Leary practices what she preaches.

"In my free time, I love lifting weights and staying active," she said. "But more than that, we prioritize movement as a family. I want my kids to grow up seeing physical activity as something you do together - a way to connect, build community and carry healthy habits with you for life."

Miriam Leary found her career path and her future husband at WVU when both were graduate students in the Exercise Physiology program. Now the couple teach aspiring health care professionals together while keeping their young family active and adventuring throughout the Mountain State. (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)

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And in keeping with the love theme, she is also a licensed wedding officiant.

"A close friend asked me to officiate their wedding, and I immediately loved it," she said. "I believe deeply in relationships and commitment - I'm a big fan of my own marriage - so being part of the beginning of someone else's is incredibly meaningful."

She now officiates a few weddings each year and a portion of proceeds are donated to the Children's Home Society of West Virginia to support West Virginia children in foster care.

At work, Leary is as excited as ever about the WVU Exercise Physiology bachelor's program. "We have a strong foundation and tremendous momentum," she said. "There is still so much room to grow, and I'm excited about where this program - and our students - are headed."

Find more information about WVU Exercise Physiology.

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