Providers
Cole Messersmith, M.D.
FACOG
To request an appointment with Dr. Messersmith, OB/GYN in Richmond, VA, call us at 804-897-2100 or mention Dr. Messersmith’s name when you message us to set an appointment.
Areas of Expertise
Prenatal care, Preconception and fertility care, Contraceptive care, Sterilization, Abnormal uterine bleeding, Menopause management
Locations and Hospitals
Dr. Messersmith sees patients at VPFW’s Henrico Doctors’ and St. Mary’s offices. He delivers babies at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital.
Meet Dr. Messersmith
Dr. Cole Messersmith is an obstetrician-gynecologist who appreciates being a part of all the amazing moments in a woman’s lifetime, partnering with each of his patients to make all of their OB/GYN needs individualized.
After growing up in Richmond, Dr. Messersmith earned his undergraduate degree in Anthropology from the George Washington University and his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine. He then returned home to Richmond where he completed his residency at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Messersmith went back to the DC area to begin working at a private practice while his fiancé Matthew completed his own training as a pediatrician. The pair are thrilled to have returned to their roots in the Richmond area to settle in and continue their careers.
Dr. Messersmith loves being an OB/GYN because of the long-term relationships he can foster with his patients. By longitudinally following women throughout their life journey, Dr. Messersmith is able to build a sense of trust and individualized care that is, in his opinion, unmatched in any other specialty. He has found there is truly nothing more rewarding than when he sees someone whose baby he delivered return to him for an annual well woman exam, to tackle a new problem, or to continue to expand their family with another pregnancy.
Whether it’s delivering a patient’s first baby or helping them decide on a major surgery such as a hysterectomy, Dr. Messersmith considers it a privilege to partner with women during so many key moments in their lives. He’s even had the opportunity to take care of a multigeneration family of women, working with each of them through many unique transitions in their health.
How did Dr. Messersmith decide to become an OB/GYN? It all started at VPFW! In high school, he was required to participate in a year-long professional mentorship experience. Interested in healthcare, he was assigned to work at VPFW with our very own Dr. Leslie Davis. As a high school boy, Dr. Messersmith was terrified at the prospect of working in an OB/GYN clinic; but by the end of his year at VPFW he was convinced this was the most exciting and rewarding field of medicine.
Seeing the incredible breadth of care and, more importantly, the types of relationships he would be able to build as an OB/GYN was eye-opening for Dr. Messersmith, and he was convinced to become one. It was a full circle moment to begin practicing at the very practice where he shadowed as a 17-year-old boy – the very place where his affection for OB/GYN began.
Dr. Messersmith spends his spare time with his partner Matthew and their two cats “Pawla Abdul” and “Catalie Imbruglia.” (The cats are sadly much less talented vocalists than their namesakes would imply). He enjoys health and wellness, he’s an HGTV addict, and he loves gardening. He is also an avid runner, taking on the Richmond half marathon each year and even completing several marathons! A fun fact about Dr. Messersmith is that the same year he was accepted to medical school he was also pursuing a position at the Jane Goodall Institute to complete research in primatology. We are glad he chose practicing in the care of humans – his greatest passion!
To request an appointment with Dr. Messersmith, OB/GYN in Richmond, VA, call us at 804-897-2100 or mention Dr. Messersmith’s name when you message us to set an appointment.
Qualifications
Special Professional Interests
- Prenatal care
- Preconception and fertility care
- Contraceptive care
- Sterilization
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Menopause management
Hospital Privileges
- St. Mary’s Hospital
- Henrico Doctors’ Hospital
Undergraduate Training
- The George Washington University Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
Washington, DC (2015)
Medical Degree
- George Washington University School of Medicine
Washington, DC (2019)
Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency
- Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA (2023)
Memberships & Societies
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Medical Association
Honors & Distinctions
- William C. Langdon M.D. Award (2023)
- Wetchler Award of Excellence for Exceptional Teaching and Leadership (2022)
- Society of Gynecologic Oncology: Outstanding Resident in Gynecologic Oncology Award (2022)
- AAGL Recognition of excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (2022)
- VCU OBGYN Department Award in Excellence in Medical Student Education (2022)
- Rachel Morris Dominick Obstetrics and Gynecology Award (2019)
- Kane King Dodek Honor Society Inductee (2019)
- Gill Summer Fellowship Award Recipient (2016)
- Jane B. Hart Award for Outstanding Achievement (2015)
- George Washington University Deans List (2011-2015)
Training and Certificates
- Da Vinci Robotic Training, certificate (Aug., 2023)
Licensure
- Virginia (issued 2025)