Award: Physician — Academic Leadership
Dr. Ronald Flenner, through his nearly 30-year career at Eastern Virginia Medical School, has dedicated his life to developing the next generations of physicians in Hampton Roads.
As vice dean for academic affairs, Flenner has successfully guided roughly 1,500 future physicians through the ever-shifting medical education landscape and helped them navigate the increasingly perilous process of finding a residency position, EVMS President Alfred Abuhamad said in his nomination. Thanks in part to Flenner’s efforts, nearly 900 EVMS alumni now practice medicine in southeastern Virginia.
Flenner, a professor of internal medicine and past associate dean for medical education, has taught and mentored aspiring physicians, overseen major curriculum reforms and helped create a mock interview process to prepare students for high-stakes residency interviews. In his prior position as internal medicine clerkship director, he worked individually with students from every class for 17 years.
Flenner serves as the co-chair for the education subcommittee on strategic planning, is the faculty lead for accreditation and serves on multiple search committees for the institution. He has received several teaching awards and received EVMS’ highest honor award of Outstanding Achievement in 2019. In 2012, he was honored with the James E. Etheridge Jr. Distinguished Professorship for his contributions to the educational mission of the school.
Flenner, an EVMS alumnus, also maintains his role as a health care provider and infectious disease specialist and has been recognized for his clinical excellence, earning the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award and has been named a Hampton Roads Top Doc annually since 2007. In this role, he continues to teach student learners and provides perspective on the challenges and rewards of educating the physicians of tomorrow in the complex health care environment of today.
“Dr. Flenner’s accomplishments as an academic physician reflect the same compassion and commitment that he brings to his patients,” Abuhamad said. “He has dedicated his career to helping develop future generations of physicians, supporting them through setbacks and celebrating their progress and accomplishments.”
Flenner shared more career details with Inside Business.
Why do you do what you do? I’m very fortunate to thoroughly enjoy my job. I have been involved with medical education since returning to EVMS in 1995 and find my interactions with learners at various stages of their training very rewarding, not to mention the privilege I have of caring for patients in an academic medical center.
What keeps you motivated? Working with bright, talented and goal-oriented trainees and my amazing colleagues. I am also motivated by the challenges and rewards of caring for patients with complex medical conditions and hopefully improving their quality of life.
How do you cope with challenges? I think it is important to take the time to reflect on the details of challenging situations and rely on faith and the counsel of trusted colleagues and friends.
What are you most proud of? Professionally, I am very proud to be a part of EVMS, the talented team members with whom I work and our shared goal of student success as well as the notable contributions our graduates have made to the field of medicine. Personally, my family.
How do you measure success? Through the accomplishments of our learners and graduates, it is incredibly gratifying to help our students achieve their professional goals.
What lessons have you learned? Patience and the importance of gaining a full understanding of the unique circumstances and challenges that students and patients may be facing when developing plans to help them.
Any advice for other mentors or those in leadership? I subscribe to the practice of servant leadership to establish credibility within an institution. It’s hard work but very rewarding.
