Inaugural student award recognizes commitment to serving others
Graduating medical student Emily Dunbar received the Ron Clark, M.D. Distinguished Service Award, presented at the School of Medicine Student Honors Day.
Left to right: Dean of VCU School of Medicine Art Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., Ron Clark, M.D. and graduating medical student Emily Dunbar
On Wednesday, May 8, in honor of longtime School of Medicine faculty member Ralph “Ron” Clark, M.D., an inaugural award went to M4 Emily Dunbar for her dedication to the VCU community. The Ron Clark, M.D. Distinguished Service Award recognizes a graduating medical student who demonstrates the value of leadership, teamwork, selfless service, open communication and a commitment to excellence.
Clark, an internal medicine physician, has served as chief medical officer of VCU Health System, interim CEO of VCU Hospitals and Clinics and associate dean for clinical activities. This accolade, which was presented at the 2024 School of Medicine Student Honors Day, commemorates Clark’s unwavering commitment to VCU, community enhancement and the betterment of people’s lives. It underscores his career-long dedication to service, both within the institution and throughout the broader community, as a vital conduit for enhancing overall health and well-being.
“We often celebrate clinical research and education, but they all funnel into one moral imperative: service to others and service to the institution,” said Arturo Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., dean of VCU School of Medicine. “Who better than Ron Clark — who has served in multiple roles, all admirably — to be the inspiration for this award?”
Dunbar, the first recipient of the award, reflected on the surprise of being recognized.
“It is such a great honor to receive the award from Dr. Clark,” Dunbar said. “He has given so much to the VCU and Richmond communities and is truly an inspiration to us all. I hope that one day I can live up to his incredible legacy.”
Through their actions, awardees of the Ron Clark, M.D. Distinguished Service Award not only demonstrate the spirit of institutional and community engagement, but also exemplify the highest standards of professionalism and humanistic values. Their tireless efforts leave an indelible mark on the institution and community, enriching the lives of those they serve and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
During her time at VCU, Dunbar has helped M1s prepare for the rigor of medical school, worked part-time as a paramedic for the Richmond Ambulance Authority and co-authored a publication on improving Glasgow Coma Scale accuracy among emergency medical service providers. She also served as co-president of VCU’s ACCESS Program, a four-year longitudinal global health program for students interested in acute care in low-resource and international settings.
“Getting the award feels surreal. You never do something to be recognized for it later in an honors ceremony,” she said. “But now, I look back at everything that I was fortunate to be a part of and I can’t help but say ‘Whoa! I am so lucky.’”
This summer, Dunbar will begin her neurosurgery residency training at the University of Virginia.
View a full list of this year's Student Honors Day award recipients here
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