Areas of Interest
Pediatric neurosurgery, spine, health care access, neuro-oncology, medical education
Background
Hometown
Springfield, VA
Undergraduate School
Roanoke College
Major: Biochemistry and Theatre
Medical School
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Bio
Thérèse Weidenkopf, M.D., is from Springfield, VA. She grew up playing ice hockey with her dad and four brothers and begun acting and developed a love for theatre. She attended Roanoke College in Virginia and was a double major of biochemistry and theatre. She graduated with honors in a theatre major and honors in a biochemistry major and was awarded the Jefferson Award for excellence in her field of studies and obtaining highest overall GPA for both majors. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude from Roanoke College. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine for medical school. She received the Joseph Collins Foundation Scholarship which recognizes medical students who have a passion and dedication to the arts. During her M1 year she gave a Tedx talk about art and medicine entitled “Lyme Disease, Scalpels, and Jazz Hands”. Between her first and second year of medicine she was awarded the Campagna Scholarship to participate in Neurosurgery Research at Oregan Health & Science University (OHSU). She participated in neurosurgery research at VCU studying Chiari I Malformation and impacts of legislation on patients with TBI. During her four years of medical school, she was actively involved with the Medical Society of Virginia Medical Student Section, which she led as the Chair of the Medical Student Section in her fourth year. Through this organization she developed skills to become a patient advocate through involvement in legislative efforts to protect patients and physicians. At the end of her four years of medical school, she was awarded the United States Public Health Service Physicians Professional Advisory Committee Excellence in Public Health Award for her work implementing Stop the Bleed classes in Virginia Medical schools and local communities. Outside of neurosurgery, Thérèse likes to spend time with her family and friends. She enjoys crocheting, seeing local theatre productions, watching movies/new TV shows, sports (hockey, Formula 1, and soccer), ice skating, and reading.
Honors and Awards:
- Fintel Senior Scholar Roanoke College: December 2022
- Pathways Grant for Dramaturgy Research: December 2022
- Jefferson Scholar in Theatre Major: May 2022
- Jefferson Scholar in Biochemistry Major: December 2022
- The Campagna Scholarship in Neurological Surgery at Oregon Health & Sciences University : May 2023
- Joseph Collins Foundations Art Scholarship: July 2023, July 2024, July 2025
- United States Public Health Service Physicians Professional Advisory Committee Excellence in Public Health Award