Two widely respected leaders in the medical field received Wake Forest’s Medallion of Merit during the University’s Founders Day celebration Thursday, Feb. 19.

Dr. Julie Ann Freischlag, a vascular surgeon, educator and senior executive whose leadership has shaped academic medicine and guided Wake Forest’s educational health system, and Dr. J. Wayne Meredith (MD ’78), a surgeon, professor and trauma care pioneer, both received the highest honor awarded by Wake Forest.

The Medallion of Merit is presented annually for outstanding achievement and distinguished contribution to the University. Previous recipients include presidents of the University, trustees, benefactors, and retired faculty and administrators.

Dr. Julie Ann Freischlag

Dr. Freischlag, a cardiovascular surgeon who specializes in thoracic outlet syndrome, built a career of achieving historic milestones for women in surgery. She is the only woman appointed president of the Society for Vascular Surgery, and she was the first to serve as president of the Association of VA Surgeons. 

“As a surgeon, educator and mentor, she models collegial respect, professionalism and work-life balance,” Wake Forest President Susan R. Wente said in presenting the award. “Her enduring legacy of compassionate care is reflected in Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s new critical care tower, named in her honor.”

In December 2025, Dr. Freischlag retired as CEO and chief academic officer of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, chief academic officer and executive vice president of Advocate Health, and executive vice president of health affairs at Wake Forest University. 

Dr. Wayne Meredith

Born in Winston-Salem, in the same hospital he later served, Dr. Meredith transformed trauma care in North Carolina and across the country. He worked with colleagues statewide to conceptualize and implement a collaboration of trauma centers and emergency medical service providers to deliver better care to patients in immediate need. This collaboration became a national model.

Dr. Meredith retired in 2024 as chief of clinical chairs at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and chair of surgery at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. 

In presenting Dr. Meredith’s Medallion of Merit on Thursday, Wente praised him for “establishing a lifesaving statewide trauma care system in North Carolina that serves as a national model, for inspiring the highest standards of compassionate patient-centered care in his colleagues and students, and for demonstrating farsighted vision in his support of the innovative critical care tower on campus.”

Meredith’s award was accepted by longtime colleague Dr. Craig M. Greven, professor and chair of ophthalmology, Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Read more about this year’s Medallion of Merit awardees.

Visit the Founders Day website to learn more about the Medallion of Merit and previous recipients.

Campus growth

During her welcome to this year’s Founders Day celebration, her last as president, Wente reflected on Wake Forest’s current growth, including the School of Medicine and The Pearl in Charlotte, The Grounds in Winston-Salem and the renovation of Alumni Hall, soon to house the University’s entrepreneurship program and the Departments of Philosophy, Education and Computer Science on the Reynolda campus. 

“This is the Wake Forest that we are founding here together: a Wake Forest of opportunity, discovery, honesty and excellence,” Wente said. “I am so full of gratitude for what we have accomplished in this era of Wake Forest and deeply confident that this great university is positioned to continue thriving.”

Senior Orations

Senior Colloquium winner Chase Clark, a double major in African-American studies and communication from Colfax, N.C., delivered her speech, “I’ve Seen Why the Caged Bird Sings,” during the Founders Day Convocation. 

With a title paying homage to Dr. Maya Angelou’s autobiography about facing racism and trauma, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” Clark’s speech describes her transformation from a timid student in her first year at Wake Forest to a campus leader who has found her place in the world.

“As I near the end of my time here, I see that I gave my all to Wake Forest because it gave me the time and space to reflect, grow and cultivate a vision of a better world,” Clark said. “Not only that, but Wake Forest gave me the tools and network needed to help create that world.” 

Clark, president of the Black Student Alliance and the 2025 Homecoming queen, founded a nonprofit, Chase’s Chance, to support young people in need. 

Each year since 1835, faculty have nominated graduating seniors whom they believe have exceptional promise, and the students write a speech that addresses how they have changed during their four years at Wake Forest.

Find past oration winners and honorable mentions on the Senior Orations and the Senior Colloquium website.

A livestream of the Founders Day ceremony is available on the Wake Forest website.