Brandy D. Drake, MD

About Brandy

Brandy Drake, MD is an emergency medicine and hospice and palliative medicine physician, serving patients in Valley View’s Emergency Department and inpatient palliative care service. The new inpatient palliative care service is dedicated to adding an extra layer of support for patients and families dealing with serious and life-threatening illnesses, helping them manage symptoms, navigate the confusing medical system, and make difficult decisions.

Originally from Glenwood Springs, Dr. Drake was born at Valley View and graduated from Glenwood Springs High School in 2000 after an exchange year in the Ukraine. From there she attended Carleton College and medical school at the University of Colorado, before eventually returning to her roots at Valley View in 2014.

Dr. Drake began her Master of Science in Palliative Care at the University of Colorado and then entered a Community-Based Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship through the University of Colorado Hospital in August of 2020. This fellowship is the first of its kind in the country, and after completing the two-year fellowship, Dr. Drake will test to become a board-certified physician in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Dr. Drake currently divides her time between emergency medicine and palliative medicine and plans to continue in both capacities. “I truly love both fields,” she says. “I love taking care of patients and families in the throes of emergencies, and when they are facing the daunting path of life-limiting illness. I love the breadth of skills these specialties require.”

Brandy has two children, aged eight and five, and currently lives in Glenwood Springs with them, her partner, and his 11-year-old son. When not working or studying, she enjoys epic dance battles with the kids, drinking good coffee, and reading books with her partner (novels and non-fiction mostly, especially memoirs about end-of-life experiences). She also enjoys running and hiking in the woods, as well as “connecting with my amazing tribe of friends both locally and spread across the world!”