On October 19, Dr. Melissa Bradner, H'99 (Blackstone), was honored by the Medical Society of Virginia at the 21st annual MSV Salute to Service Awards gala.
please scroll to the bottom of this page to see the video shown at the gala

The recipient of the Distinguished Medical School Faculty Service Award, Dr. Bradner was nominated by Emily Bassett, M-3 and member of the fmSTAT program. As MSV notes, this award honors a faculty member who "...has done an outstanding job teaching fellows, residents or medical students, recognizes excellence as a clinician and has the dedication and drive to teach the next generation."

In her nomination, Emily highlighted the care and concern Dr. Bradner shows for her patients and how that dedication carries over to her work with the students. "She embodies the spirit of humanism in medicine – taking the time to truly get to know each and every one of her students, advisees and mentees.  She is such a powerful role model to every student she teaches."

Her passion for both the practice of medicine and the desire to educate the next generation also extends to supporting and promoting the specialty of Family Medicine itself. After serving as the M3 Family Medicine Clerkship Director for over 20 years, Dr. Bradner now serves as the family medicine clerkship site director for VCU Health Downtown Family Medicine, where she provides care to a complex patient panel while serving as a role model to learners at multiple levels and raising the profile of family medicine as a fulfilling and challenging career path. As Department Chair Dr. Scott Strayer, M'94, H'97 (Hanover), noted, "Her impact on the primary care workforce will be felt in the Commonwealth and beyond for many years."

Speaking to Dr. Bradner's far-reaching influence, Emily summed it up this way: "The VCU School of Medicine is truly fortunate to have such an accomplished and forward-thinking faculty member as Dr. Bradner; her patients are extremely lucky to have her compassionate and dedicated care and advocacy, and her students are so positively impacted, both personally and professionally, by Dr. Bradner’s teaching and mentorship.  Dr. Bradner is a VCU School of Medicine treasure."

Congratulations, Dr. Bradner!