Featured News
Every day College of Health Professions students, alumni, faculty and staff do extraordinary things. Read more about our latest achievements below.
‘Tiny dinosaur moments’ mark 2025 OT Vesting Ceremony
Sometimes, the smallest things can make the biggest difference. For Caitlyn Berry, a handful of tiny dinosaur erasers – symbols of encouragement she once handed to struggling marathoners – became a metaphor for the power of occupational therapy.
White Coat Ceremony welcomes 56 PT students into Class of 2028
At the annual Department of Physical Therapy White Coat Ceremony on Sept. 5, the Physical Therapy Doctorate program welcomed 56 new students to the College of Health Professions. The ceremony included recognition of current student leaders and award recipients, highlighting the program’s culture of service and achievement.
Lamb Lecturer calls for ‘expertise without borders’
At this year’s Robert L. Lamb Distinguished Lectureship, Rob Landel, DPT, challenged VCU physical therapy students to seek out opportunities to specialize – but learn to cross lanes because therapists can best help patients when they do.
VCU Research in Action: Understanding and treating problem gambling
Carolyn Hawley is analyzing the demographics and behaviors of gamblers to gain critical insights into more effective outreach and prevention strategies. (VCU News)
Energy and updates mark CHP town hall as college charts its path forward
The collective spirit of the College of Health Professions was on display at its fall 2025 Welcome Back Town Hall. The event served as part progress report, part platform for various college leaders to share what’s new and what makes the college so special.
‘All that was good about VCU’: Remembering Dolores Clement, pioneering health policy scholar and educational innovator
Dr. Clement, an emerita professor who retired in 2019 after 31 years with VCU, died August 21 after a long-term breast cancer diagnosis. She was 76.
Program leads way in preparing interdisciplinary researchers
In an era when health systems, academic institutions and community programs alike are turning to data to inform decisions and improve outcomes, VCU’s Ph.D. Program in Health Related Sciences has carved out a national reputation for equipping professionals to use research and analysis to drive health innovation.
Understanding Virginia’s new law to license anesthesia assistants
In early 2025, Virginia passed a law allowing for the licensure of anesthesia assistants (AAs), making it one of about 20 states to permit the profession. Anesthesia assistants will work exclusively under the supervision of physician anesthesiologists, a model different from the training and practice approach of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), who are prepared for independent practice.
VCU Rehabilitation Counseling Students Empower Youth Through Life Skills at MFYC
Hear directly from the students about their motivations, the moments that have impacted them most, and the value of connecting academic learning with community service. Their work demonstrates how student-community partnerships can foster growth, resilience, and new perspectives for young people.
Simulation lab upgrades raise the bar for OT and PT training
Our simulation lab received a $108,000 investment to create immersive, hospital-like environments for OT and PT students, complete with responsive mannequins, communication systems and clinical sound effects. The upgraded spaces – fitted with cameras, debrief rooms and documentation stations – support holistic skill development from hands-on patient care to clinical reasoning and workflow fluency.
