Featured News

Every day College of Health Professions students, alumni, faculty and staff do extraordinary things. Read more about our latest achievements below.

VCU convenes leading health care management scholars to advance research that improves health care organizations

Virginia Commonwealth University's College of Health Professions recently welcomed leading health care management scholars from across the country for the annual conference of the Organization Theory in Health Care Association (OTHC), a national organization dedicated to advancing research on how health care organizations can improve quality, workforce well-being, patient care, and organizational performance.

OTHC Conference attendees group photo on the CHP staircaseOTHC Conference attendees group photo on the CHP staircase

Inaugural Transforming Chaplaincy members look back on 10 years of the organization and its future

The field of chaplaincy is becoming increasingly research-focused, and one catalyst has been Transforming Chaplaincy (TC), a program designed to promote evidence-based spiritual care and blend research with professional practice. Established at Rush University in Chicago a decade ago, TC has several faculty members of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Patient Counseling who have led and championed initiatives within TC.

Patient Counseling faculty discussionPatient Counseling faculty discussion

VCU helps build a new model for mental health care in Ethiopia

Faculty from VCU’s Department of Rehabilitation Counseling are helping Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia launch a new master ’s-level clinical psychology program focused on trauma-informed, community-based mental health care. In addition to expanding access to critical services in an underserved region, the partnership creates opportunities for VCU faculty and students through international collaboration, research and cultural exchange.

Jared Schultz and Waganesh Zeleke sitting on a couch with teams from the University of Gondar and Addis Ababa UniversityJared Schultz and Waganesh Zeleke sitting on a couch with teams from the University of Gondar and Addis Ababa University

Writing, trauma and trust

The Mighty Pen Project has shown that writing can help veterans and military families heal. Now, VCU researchers are working to understand why. A team of graduate students is helping document the teaching techniques, group dynamics and storytelling practices that make the program effective, laying the groundwork for a therapeutic model that could bring its benefits to many more people.

MPP veterans John Price, Dustin Dunbar, Dave Aldridge and Dan Barotti around the fire.MPP veterans John Price, Dustin Dunbar, Dave Aldridge and Dan Barotti around the fire.

She shines the light – and leads the way – on the national challenge of gambling addiction

As director of the Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health, VCU researcher Carolyn Hawley has helped create a pioneering statewide treatment network. (VCU Health News)

Carolyn HawleyCarolyn Hawley

Changing the odds

Traditional forms of gambling have always posed risks, but the rise of online gambling has supercharged the speed and scale of harm.

three young adults stand in a circle talkingthree young adults stand in a circle talking

VCU takes third place in 2025 Marquette Challenge

VCU’s Department of Physical Therapy delivered another standout performance in the 2025 Marquette Challenge, placing third nationally among participating programs. Led by student organizers and supported by faculty and alumni, PT students raised critical funds for the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, the only national nonprofit solely dedicated to advancing physical therapy research.

VCU PT students during the Marquette ChallengeVCU PT students during the Marquette Challenge

Two CHP students selected to present research at a major conference for nurse anesthetists

Two doctoral students in the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions have been selected to present their research at the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists’ (AANA) 2026 annual congress in Boston.

NRSA students in simulation roomNRSA students in simulation room

The VCU graduate behind one of the Veterans Affairs’ highest-performing facilities

Ron Johnson, MHA ’94, is a health care administrator whose approach stands out because it reflects a clear, mission-driven vision for how a complex system should operate.

Johnson speaking at VCU's DHP Paul A Gross Lecture and AwardsJohnson speaking at VCU's DHP Paul A Gross Lecture and Awards

Several CHP staff members received a grant for addressing food waste

Two faculty members at the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions have received grant funding to help address food waste.

Assorted shelf stabled pantry goodsAssorted shelf stabled pantry goods
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Have a story about the College of Health Professions in action that you'd like to share?

Contact Malorie Burkett at mgburkett@vcu.edu or (804) 828-7247.