As the senior vice president for Columbia Health, Dr. Melanie Bernitz has a ton of conversations in her office, both big and small, about ensuring the health and wellbeing of Columbia students. But without a doubt, there’s one item in that office space that captures any visitor’s eye: a diorama of a midcentury surgery operating room hanging on her wall.

It has a sentimental backstory: the display box was a medical school graduation present from her parents.

“It always reminds me of my medical school experience and this amazing gift my parents gave me,” Dr. Bernitz said.

Learn more about Dr. Bernitz and the work of Columbia Health as we enter the fall semester here:    • Columbia Health: Your Partner in Cari...  

“My Favorite Things” is a Columbia News series featuring the inspirational, joyful, and often surprising objects found in the offices of Columbians.