Bio

“The greatest mistake in the treatment of diseases is that there are physicians for the body and physicians for the soul, although the two cannot be separated.” –Plato

Dr. Pamela Ross is more than a physician. She is a healer committed to providing exceptional care to patients and believes in the importance of mental, physical and spiritual well being for optimal health.  A former Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Virginia (UVA) Health System located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and founding CEO of Holistic Medical Consultants, Dr. Ross bases her holistic medical principles and practice on the belief that there is an unbreakable connection between the mind, body and spirit.

A native of rural Decatur, Tennessee, Dr. Ross enrolled at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) as a William E. Brock Scholar, a prestigious award bestowed upon outstanding students who perform at the highest level of academic achievement and exemplify leadership and service. As a chemistry major at UTC, she excelled in her studies and her honors thesis was published in the Organic Journal of Chemistry. Her time at UTC also marked her decision to join Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Through membership in this historical service organization, Dr. Ross was able to use her scholarly endeavors to serve her community. Since joining, she’s held various leadership positions, which include the collegiate Southern Regional Representative on the National Executive Board then later in life becoming Chair of the National Health Task Force, formed with the mission to educate and facilitate lifestyle change for the physical, mental and spiritual well being of the members and the communities they served.

Dr. Ross went on to enroll in the Emory University School of Medicine, one of the nation’s top institutions for biomedical education, clinical care and research. Her experience at Emory was enlightening and challenging – bringing broad based exposure to the most current evidence-based medical practices and cutting edge research. It also introduced her to a diverse patient population through Grady Memorial Hospital, one of the largest public hospitals in the United States. These clinical experiences helped her gain an understanding and appreciation for the sacredness of doctor-patient relationships. While at Emory, Dr. Ross made the decision to become an Emergency Physician because it was the specialty that would allow her to practice all medical disciplines in clinical settings that were often high-pressure and intense, requiring adroit competence and a high degree of calmness. A specialty that brings the full drama of tragedy, humanity and thousands of patients, Dr. Ross has enjoyed a very rewarding career.

Following graduation from Emory, Dr. Ross went on to complete an Emergency Medicine Residency at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio and a Fellowship in Pediatrics at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA. She completed one year of study in the Executive Masters Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Center for Integrative Medicine Fellowship Program, founded and directed by Andrew Weil, MD.

Dr. Ross’ distinguished career is filled with notable highlights. She’s been honored with numerous awards and recognized countless times for her work, including being selected as a distinguished Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, a recipient of the African American Alumni Achievement Award in Health from the UTC Alumni Council, and physician participant at White House Rose Garden when President Barack Obama presented “Doctors for Healthcare Reform” to the nation – an event that galvanized the eventual passage of the Affordable Care Act by the United States Congress.  She is a featured physician in “Escape Fire: The Fight To Rescue American Healthcare,” a 2012 Sundance premiere movie documentary that tackles the pressing issue of a badly broken healthcare system.

During her 17+ years of distinguished service at the University of Virginia Health System, Dr. Ross wore many hats. She served as Division Director of the Pediatric Emergency Department; Director of the Child Abuse Program; Director of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner’s Program; Director of Quality Improvement; Chair of the UVA Cancer Center Minority Recruitment Task Force; and a member of the UVA Compassionate Care Initiative which is grounded in compassionate action and empathic leadership. She was also the UVA School of Medicine curriculum thread leader for Complimentary and Alternative Methods (CAM.)

An active community servant leader, Dr. Ross is a selected member of the Charlottesville  Regional Chamber of Commerce “Leadership Charlottesville” Class of 2014.  She serves as member of the Region Ten Board of Directors, Fluvanna County Library Board of Trustees, and Ambassador to Sister’s Conquering Cancer, a local community grass roots cancer survivorship organization.

She spends her spare time nurturing her own mental, physical and spiritual well being through reading, meditation, laughter, dance and fellowship in various settings with family and friends.

Dr. Pamela Ross is indeed more than a physician. An educator, philosopher, researcher, entrepreneur, leader, community servant and healthcare advocate, her many contributions to the practice of medicine continue to manifest through her efforts and the actions of the many students, colleagues, patients and family members that she touches on a daily basis.