Melanie J. Bernitz

Dr. Melanie Bernitz is the Senior Vice President for Columbia Health. She joined Columbia Health in 2016 and served as Associate Vice President and Medical Director through early 2021. Previously she served as the Executive Director of the Student Health Service at Columbia University Medical Center. Prior to that position, Dr. Bernitz was a resident, chief resident, and faculty member in Columbia’s Center for Family and Community Medicine. Growing up in the United Kingdom, she received both her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a degree in medicine at University College London. She then received her master’s degree in public health at Columbia University.

Dr. Bernitz's professional experience includes teaching and training of medical students and residents as well as inpatient and outpatient primary care. She is an associate professor of clinical medicine in the Center of Family and Community Medicine and remains committed to ensuring that college students have direct access to high-quality, timely medical care.

Education:

  • MPH, Columbia University 
  • MD, University College London
  • BSc, University College London

Certifications and Licensure:

  • Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine
  • Licensed to practice medicine in the State of New York

Professional Experience:

  • Associate Vice President and Medical Director, Columbia Health
  • Executive Director, Student Health Service, Columbia University Medical Center
  • Primary care physician, Student Health Service, Columbia University Medical Center
  • Preceptor, Foundations of Clinical Medicine course, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons

Select Publications:

  • Shelton, R., Goodwin, K., McNeil, M., Bernitz, M., Alexander, S., Parrish, C., Brotzman, L. Lee, M., Li, W., Makam, S., Ganek, N., Foskett, D., Warren, C., & Metsch, L. (2023). Application of The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to inform understanding of barriers and facilitators to the implementation of opioid and naloxone training on college campuses. Implementation Science Communications.
  • Bernitz, M., McNeil, M., & Casani, J. (2021). Campus Management of Infectious Disease Outbreaks, in J. Vaughn & A. Viera (eds.), Principles and Practice of College Health. Springer.
  • Narrative Medicine in Education and Practice. Behavioral Medicine: A Guide for Clinical Practice, Fourth Edition, edited by Drs. Mitchell D. Feldman and John F. Christensen. Burr Ridge, IL: McGraw-Hill.

Awards and Honors:

  • Commendation for Excellence in Teaching Medical Students - Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
  • Productivity Awards – New York Presbyterian Hospital Department of Medicine

Memberships:

  • American College Health Association
  • American Academy of Family Physicians