In Memoriam: Dr. Bernard Joseph Dreiling
The Medical Center extends its sympathy to the family of a former faculty member in appreciation for his contributions to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Dr. Bernard Joseph Dreiling
The University of Mississippi Medical Center extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of former faculty member Dr. Bernard Joseph Dreiling, whose extraordinary legacy as a physician, educator and mentor shaped generations of Mississippi physicians.
Dreiling came to UMMC in the 1960s after accepting what was intended to be a one-year fellowship. That opportunity became a remarkable 58-year career at UMMC and the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, where he served as a hematologist, professor of medicine and one of the institution's most beloved educators.
He earned his medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine in 1962 before relocating to Jackson with his wife and children to begin what would become a lifelong commitment to caring for patients and training future physicians.
Although Dreiling was widely respected as a clinician, his greatest passion was teaching. Over nearly six decades, he helped train at least three generations of physicians, leaving a lasting impact on countless students, residents and fellows.
His dedication to medical education earned him numerous honors, including multiple UMMC Professor of the Year awards, as well as Consultant Teacher of the Year, Clinical Mentor of the Year and Academic Career Mentor of the Year at the VA Medical Center. Notably, each of these awards was bestowed by the learners whose lives and careers he influenced.
Former colleagues describe Dreiling as an icon in Mississippi medicine whose impact extended far beyond the classroom.
"Bernie was an outstanding educator and teacher," said Dr. Tate Thigpen, former professor and director of the Division of Hematology/Oncology. "The fact that he received all of those awards showed you what kind of educator he was. He was a friend, an excellent doctor and I regret hearing about his passing because we will miss him."
Despite receiving countless accolades throughout his career, Dreiling remained remarkably humble, even asking that he no longer be considered for teaching awards so others could be recognized. In 2020, he was inducted into the UMMC Hall of Fame, one of the institution's highest honors.
During his induction speech, Dreiling shared words that reflected the humility and purpose that defined his life and career:
"I had a need to do something important, not to be someone important."
Dr. Joe Files, professor emeritus in the UMMC School of Medicine, said Dreiling possessed a rare gift for teaching.
"He was one of the best teachers of students I have ever met," Files said. "He had an uncanny ability to make very complicated subjects seem unreasonably simple. He was a great teacher of medical students, a great teacher of residents and a very good teacher of fellows as well. He was a remarkably talented person."
Beyond medicine and education, Dreiling was deeply committed to serving his community. He volunteered with Operation Shoestring and Christ for Christmas and was well known for portraying Santa Claus at Saint Ann Catholic Church in Carthage, bringing joy to countless children and families. His dedication to service reflected the same compassion and generosity that defined his medical career.
Dreiling is survived by his two daughters, two grandchildren and a great-grandson. His legacy lives through the thousands of physicians he taught, the patients whose lives he touched and the colleagues and friends who were privileged to know him.