Featured News
Every day College of Health Professions students, alumni, faculty and staff do extraordinary things. Read more about our latest achievements below.
Interdepartment collaboration expands student perspective on aging and care
A collaboration between the Radiology Sciences’ Timmerie Cohen, Ph.D. and Gerontology’s Jenny Inker, Ph.D. is examining and hopes to ultimately shift the attitudes of Radiation Sciences students toward aging and older adults. Their work represents some of the first research to directly address ageism across health care professions.
‘Jack of all trades’ well-suited for health services
Initially set on studying psychology, Travis Thomas discovered VCU’s health services program during his freshman year and found it perfectly balanced his interests in psychology, finance, ethics, and health systems. Now a graduating senior, he's poised for graduate studies and a career devoted to improving equitable health care delivery.
Chapman ‘comes home’ to Medical Laboratory Sciences
When Rhonda Chapman, M.S., MLS (ASCP), walked back into Medical Laboratory Sciences last December – not as a student this time, but as the department’s clinical coordinator – she felt like she was coming home.
A pivot to PT after 22-year military career
Feather Wright marked a major milestone by earning her Physical Therapy degree, an accomplishment she pursued following a 22-year-long career in the U.S. Army – channeling her service experience into a new professional calling.
MLS celebrates first alum of new public health laboratory sciences concentration
In May, Poonamdeep “Poonam” Bajwa became a pioneer in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences.
Four honorees spotlighted for multicultural enrichment at VCU
Chelsea Gary, the College’s director of recruitment and student programs, was awarded VCU’s 2025 Riese‑Melton Award at the 30th annual Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment for her outstanding contributions to advancing cross-cultural relations.
New minor in research ecosystems to debut in fall 2025 at VCU
Through the College of Health Professions, the undergraduate program will prepare students for careers in scientific research and administration.
Health Administration endowed lecture series draws top alum
Alum Clifton Porter (VCU ’86), senior VP of government relations for the American Health Care Association, returned in April 2025 to deliver the Paul A. Gross Landmarks in Leadership Lecture, urging future health care leaders to tackle the growing workforce crisis with empathy, public policy engagement and human‑centered leadership.
Class of 2025: Health Ph.D. was a harmonious fit for speech language pathologist Megan Crawford
The working professional (and devoted singer) marks a first for the College of Health Professions program, and her research into swallowing disorders embraces an interdisciplinary lens.
Corporate gift expands community health and student education
A generous $100,000 gift from Genworth is supporting both VCU’s Mobile Health and Wellness Program and the Department of Gerontology’s mentored internship track—expanding community health outreach while empowering students with hands‑on experience in senior care leadership.
