Burlington resident Melissa Davidson, MD, a faculty physician leader at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, was invested Feb 7 as the inaugural holder of the Howard Schapiro, MD’80, and Janet Carroll, MSN, MPH, Green & Gold Professorship in Anesthesiology.
This endowed professorship was made possible through the generosity of its namesakes — spouses Schapiro and Carroll of South Hero, VT — as well as the faculty of the anesthesiology department in honor of their colleague and former leader, Schapiro.
Since August 2020, Davidson has served as interim chair of the Department of Anesthesiology while concurrently serving as Larner's associate dean for graduate medical education and as the designated institutional official of the UVM Medical Center—roles she began in 2017.
“Exceptional faculty leaders like Dr Davidson create a dynamic and engaging academic environment, and the endowed professorship recognizes this important achievement,” said Larner Dean Richard L. Page, MD.
Davidson earned her medical degree and completed a residency in anesthesiology at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, now known as Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School. She is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Committee for the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Competencies (where she also serves as a board member) and the Committee on Research in Education for the Society for Education in Anesthesia.
In her address to the audience, Davidson recognized Schapiro and Carroll’s many contributions to UVM and the UVM Medical Center and their excellent leadership in their respective professions.
“What distinguishes good from great leaders is humility,” said Davidson after receiving her medallion. “Jan and Howard exemplify humility, individually and as a team. I will do my best to strive for that same humility so that I can make you proud and worthy of the gift that you provided to this department.”