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Every day College of Health Professions students, alumni, faculty and staff do extraordinary things. Read more about our latest achievements below.
‘Called to stand in the breach’: a VCU chaplain’s journey
When Addison Schmitt Morgan entered the Post-baccalaureate Graduate Certificate in Patient Counseling program at VCU in the summer of 2023, she wasn’t entirely sure what lay ahead. During the certificate program – offered by the VCU College of Health Professions Department of Patient Counseling – Schmitt Morgan experienced firsthand what it meant to provide spiritual care in moments of acute crisis.
Jan Y. Pasnak Nurse Anesthesia Scholarship honors courageous spirit of dedicated caregiver and friend
The Jan Y. Pasnak Nurse Anesthesia Scholarship supports students in the College of Health Professions’ Department of Nurse Anesthesia. Beginning this academic year, it will be awarded annually to a second- or third-year student who embodies Pasnak’s “courageous spirit, positivity, zest for life, and commitment to health and fitness in pursuit of becoming a compassionate CRNA.”
How VCU helped shape Bishop Teresa Snorton’s path of ministry and healing
Bishop Teresa E. Snorton has carried her experience at VCU with her across decades, pulpits and continents. Long after she finished her postgraduate certificate in Patient Counseling – now part of the College of Health Professions – she still finds herself looking back to her time in Richmond and VCU.
Lights, cameras, simulation with VCU Department of Nurse Anesthesia’s Nick Darragh
With dry ice, actors and earpieces, Nick Darragh makes movie magic in VCU’s Center for Research in Human Simulation, a state-of-the-art facility at the College of Health Professions.
For VCU’s David Allen, teaching is its own reward
Since 2020, Allen has served as a proud College of Health Professions adjunct faculty member. He graduated in 2019 from the Ph.D. Program in Health Related Sciences, where he teaches Finance and Economic Theory for Health Care, and leads a dissertation seminar.
VCU’s Annie Rhodes champions dementia care improvements in Virginia
For Annie Rhodes, Ph.D., what started as a side project during her doctoral studies at VCU has blossomed into a statewide tool that’s reshaping how Virginia tracks and supports individuals diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers.
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‘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)
