Dr. Munsey S. Wheby '51

Dr. Munsey Wheby is an Emeritus Professor of Medicine with the University of Virginia Health System, where he also served as chair of medicine and senior associate dean. He is a noted authority on blood diseases and nutrition.

A Roanoke native, Dr. Wheby majored in biology at Roanoke College and received his B.S, in 1951. While a student, he played soccer and was a member of the Blue Key honor fraternity and Kappa Alpha fraternity.

He continued his education at the University of Virginia, receiving his medical degree in 1955 and completing his postdoctoral training at the Cornell University Medical Center in New York City and at the University of Virginia. He served the next six years in the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of Major. He later became a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.

  Dr. Wheby joined the staff of Rutgers Medical School in 1965, but he returned to the University of Virginia in 1966 as an associate professor of medicine. He was a visiting professor in universities and hospitals throughout the world. Among his many University of Virginia honors, he was named the Andrew D. Hart Endowed Professor in 1983, received the Class of 1973's Outstanding Teaching Award and the university's Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award in 1992. In 1999, he received the Walter Reed Distinguished Achievement Award, the highest honor given by the Medical Alumni Association Board of Directors for alumni who have excelled in their careers. 

In addition to his work at the University of Virginia, Dr. Wheby was active in the American College of Physicians. In 2010, he was awarded the Alfred Stengel Memorial Award for Outstanding Service by the ACP. The service award recognized his unusual loyalty and exceptional contributions to the aims and purposes of the ACP, as well as his outstanding influence in maintaining and advancing the best standards of medical education, medical practice and clinical research. His service to the ACP included terms as president of the ACP; member of the board of regents; chair of the board of governors; chair of the board of trustees of the ACP Foundation; and governor of the Virginia chapter of the ACP.

In 1992, Dr. Wheby was recognized as one of Roanoke's 150 Distinguished Alumni and in 2000 was named a Roanoke College Medalist. In 2006, Roanoke awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree. He served Roanoke College as a member of the Science and Math Advisory Committee and by hosting alumni receptions in Charlottesville.

Munsey S. Wheby received the Roanoke College Medal in 2000.