Dr. L. D. Britt, the
Brickhouse Professor of Surgery at the Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS)
in Norfolk, is the only African-American in the history of the Commonwealth
of Virginia to be appointed Professor of Surgery and one of the few minorities
in the country to have a endowed professorship. He is also the chairman of the
Department of Surgery and the chief of the Division of Trauma and Critical Care
at EVMS.
His dedication and hard work
extend far beyond the walls of EVMS, where he has been awarded the Sir William
Osler Award as outstanding teacher of the year seven times. They also extend
beyond the corridors of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he serves as
the medical director of the Shock Trauma Center, and the rolling fields of Suffolk,
Virginia, where he has an active medical practice.
"I am a public servant
who happens to be a surgeon."
The Suffolk native was the
valedictorian at Booker T. Washington High School in Suffolk and went on to
receive a bachelor of art degree (with distinction) from the University of Virginia
in 1972 and master of public health and medical degrees from Harvard University
in 1977. Medicine seemed a likely profession for Dr. Britt, considering his
love of people, community, and academia.
In addition to his academic
pursuits, Dr. Britt gives and receives much joy from his community involvement.
The NAACP and Boy Scots of America have benefitted from his support and have
bestowed honors upon him: 1996 NAACP Man of the Year Award for Hampton Roads
and Outstanding Community Service Award from the Tidewater Council of Boy Scouts
of America. As the former rector of the Norfolk State University Board of Visitors,
he continues to support the students, faculty, and staff of this historically
black university, and he serves his alma mater as a member of the University
of Virginia Board of Managers.
Dr. Britt believes that one
must give in order to receive. "I am a public servant who happens to be a surgeon,"
he said. "I believe that, irrespective of your professional achievements, true
success can only come as a result of meaningful community involvement." Dr.
Britt is an excellent example of dedication at its best.
