Alessandra Franchini honored with Bente Flatland Resident Award
Alessandra Franchini, cardiology resident at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Bente Flatland Resident Award.
The Bente Flatland Resident Award was established by Carroll U. Stephens and John P. J. Havran to honor residents who demonstrate exemplary scientific knowledge and special compassion in caring for patients and pet owners. The award commemorates Flatland's exceptional expertise and compassionate care during the treatment of their dog, Max Weber, in 1997.
Franchini's path to Virginia Tech began in Italy, where she completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Parma. She joined Virginia Tech in 2018 as a Ph.D. student before beginning her combined master's and residency program in 2022, distinguishing herself through dedication to both clinical excellence and education.
"I love the research aspect. I love the teaching aspect. I love the clinical aspect," Franchini said. "I think I couldn't hope for a better situation because I don't think I could give up any of these aspects."
Her approach to veterinary medicine combines rigorous scientific knowledge with innovative teaching methods and compassionate patient care. She has developed unique ways to communicate complex cardiac conditions to both students and clients, often using visual aids to help explain intricate heart conditions.
"I try to work a lot on communication skills," Franchini explained. "You have all this knowledge, and I can tell you the exact medical terminology, but a client is just going to look at you and say, 'I don't understand what you're talking about.' Making complex medical concepts understandable for clients is crucial, particularly in difficult situations."
In the teaching hospital setting, Franchini bridges the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice. She teaches second-year students and then works with them again during their clinical rotations, helping them connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications.
"I love seeing them put all the dots together," Franchini said. "It's always fascinating to give them tools and see them become more confident in their cardiology knowledge by the end of their three-week rotation."
Her research focuses on degenerative mitral valve disease and advanced echocardiographic imaging. Her work combines clinical practice with cutting-edge research, exemplifying the award's emphasis on scientific excellence. She works alongside Drs. Borgarelli, Menciotti, Lahmers, and Jeong in the Cardiology Service, which serves the diagnostic and therapeutic needs of veterinary patients with heart disease. In her nomination her colleagues were keen to emphasize her accomplishments and how she was fully deserving of their nomination and the recognition that followed.
"Without the support and guidance of all my mentors, this achievement would not have been possible," Franchini said.
Following her residency, Franchini will join the University of Tennessee as an assistant professor in cardiology, where she plans to continue her commitment to research, teaching, and compassionate patient care.
