Camille Brassard honored with Bente Flatland Resident Award

Camille Brassard, resident in internal medicine at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, has won the Bente Flatland Resident Award.

The Bente Flatland Resident Award was established in honor of Bente Flatland, a resident in small animal medicine, by Caroll Stephens and John Havran. The award is given to veterinary residents who exhibit exceptional scientific knowledge and compassion when dealing with patients and pet owners at the college’s teaching hospitals.

Originally from Quebec, Canada, Brassard completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and rotating internship at Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire in Montreal. She then served as an internal medicine resident at a private hospital in Quebec before journeying to the United States to pursue a broader educational experience.

“There’s a different way of teaching in the United States,” said Brassard. “Also, more prevalence of different infectious diseases which allows me to expand my knowledge.”

Brassard’s fascination with her work stems from her deep interest in solving complex cases. She explains, "I've always been passionate about internal medicine—a big area of veterinary medicine that allows me to specialize while supporting a wide range of cases." 

Brassard values the supportive environment at the college, where her colleagues and mentors have played a pivotal role in her professional growth. "My teammates here are just amazing doctors and friends,” Brassard said. “Being a resident can be hard at times, but I've always felt supported throughout this journey."

Also, there to support Brassard are her dog and cat, Sasha and Blackjack, whom she adopted after finding them as strays. “They both followed me from Canada and are happy to be along for the ride,” Brassard said. 

As she approaches the end of her residency in the coming months, Brassard remains excited about her future in internal medicine. She reflects: "It's kind of crazy when you think about it. I've dedicated nearly a decade to studying, and I find it incredibly rewarding."

Written by Margie Christianson, communications manager at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine