Meet the 2026 Veterinary Heroes: David Brathwaite

David Brathwaite is a patient care manager in the Department of Radiology for a practice widely considered the world’s largest nonprofit animal hospital. He shares his skills and knowledge through mentorship and collaboration across departments at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC), according to his nominator. One example was his “instrumental role” in transitioning AMC’s diagnostic imaging system from a traditional process to an integrated digital workflow.

“He took it upon himself to self-educate from the ground up, mastering new terminology, workflows, and system logic, and working diligently to connect multiple hospital departments to our imaging infrastructure. This transition has required not only strong computer literacy but persistence, problem-solving, and the ability to navigate highly technical barriers that are often invisible to end users,” his award nominator wrote to dvm360.

“What makes David’s contribution exceptional is that this work is not purely technical; it demands constant communication, collaboration, and trust building. David has demonstrated a willingness to ‘turn over every stone’ to solve problems, coordinating with clinicians, technicians, administrators, and vendors to ensure that the system supports patient care rather than disrupts it. He approaches each obstacle with curiosity, patience, and accountability. Throughout this process, David has remained a mentor and cultural anchor for the department,” the nominator continued.

Brathwaite’s efforts, as well as his calming, approachable presence, have helped improve efficiencies, communication, and accuracy. His contributions have benefited patients, their families, and AMC teams

Congratulations to Brathwaite from dvm360! You can check out the rest of our 2026 recipients, and learn more about Brathwaite here.