A legacy in Sports Medicine.
Spotlight: Emily Monroe, MD
For Dr. Emily Monroe, orthopedic surgery was never just a career path—it was a front-row education in how great medicine can shape a community.
As the daughter of longtime Heartland Orthopedic Specialists surgeon Dr. Jefferson Brand, she grew up watching the trust, gratitude, and lasting relationships her father built with patients across the region.
Dr. Brand spent 24 years caring for patients at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists, beginning in 1990 and retiring in 2021. For three of those years, father and daughter worked together—a rare and meaningful chapter in Dr. Monroe’s professional journey. “Growing up, I loved seeing my dad at work,” she reflects. “Stepping into the same practice felt seamless. Not everyone has someone in their corner who wants nothing more than to see them succeed. Having his mentorship as I gained confidence in my own skills was incredibly special.”
Together, they shared a passion for sports medicine—caring for athletes who are highly motivated to recover, return to activity, and perform at their best.
Dr. Monroe brings world-class training back to Alexandria. She earned her medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine, completed her orthopedic surgery residency at Northwestern University in Chicago, and pursued advanced fellowship training in Sports Medicine at the University of California San Francisco. With that background, she could practice anywhere in the country. She chose Heartland Orthopedic Specialists.
Unlike the fast-paced churn of large city practices, Heartland’s collaborative model puts both patients and providers first. Surgeons work closely together, care for one another’s patients seamlessly, and build continuity that leads to better outcomes—and a better experience for everyone involved.
“Every surgeon here wants to be here,” Dr. Monroe adds with a smile. “We get along well, we trust each other, and that shows in the care our patients receive.”
At Heartland Orthopedic Specialists, patients don’t have to travel far for expert orthopedic and sports medicine care. It’s big-city expertise, delivered with the familiarity, access, and compassion of a smaller community—exactly where Dr. Monroe feels most at home.
Click to learn more about about Heartland Orthopedic Specialists and all of their Sports Medicine services.
