Eastern Virginia Medical School Alumni Association

When the stars align...✨
Imagine being invited back to your alma mater as the featured lecturer for one of its most distinguished annual lecture series—and celebrating your 20th medical school reunion that very same weekend.

That's exactly what's happening for Lee Jennings, MD (MD '06), who will return to campus as the featured speaker for the 2026 Brock Institute–Glennan Center Annual Lectures. Dr. Jennings serves as Division Director of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine and Professor of Medicine at The University of Oklahoma Health Campus.

If you're planning to arrive early for Alumni Weekend, we hope you'll join us for Dr. Jennings' Community Lecture on Thursday, October 15, from 5:30–8:00 p.m. at Batten University Brock Commons. Her presentation, "Advances and Opportunities in Dementia Care," promises to be an engaging evening of learning and connection.

Planning to attend? Use the link below to receive a reminder when registration opens for the Community Lecture: https://2026-brock-glennan.eventbrite.com

We'll also be thrilled to celebrate Dr. Jennings and the entire MD Class of 2006 throughout Alumni Weekend. We hope to see you there!

2026 Brock Institute - Glennan Center Community Lecture “Advances and Opportunities in Dementia Care”

Join us at the Harbor Club at the Waterside District as we kick off Alumni Weekend with our Evening of Connection on Friday, October 16!

Reconnect with fellow alumni over a curated selection of hors d’oeuvres and cocktails during this private reception. Enjoy an evening of conversation and camaraderie with leadership, faculty, current students and graduates from across the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU community.

It's the perfect way to begin a weekend of celebration, reflection and renewed connections. We can't wait to welcome you!

Register now to take advantage of our early bird discount! https://evms.imodules.com/2026AW

Our incredible alumni are making history! 🎉

For the first time in more than 40 years, the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) has elected a woman as its president — and that leader is alumna Helga Olson (M.S.A. '09).

A graduate of the Master of Surgical Assisting (M.S.A.) program, now part of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University, Olson has built a distinguished career as a surgical assistant, educator and advocate for the profession.

Today, she helps train future surgeons and surgical assistants through the Center for Procedural Skills Mastery at Mayo Clinic.

Join us in celebrating Helga and this incredible milestone!

Read more here: www.odu.edu/pulse/article/alumna-makes-history-as-first-female-president-of-national-surgical-assistant

Only 11 white coats remain to be sponsored! 🎉

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our alumni and friends, 140 of 151 incoming medical students will receive a sponsored white coat. Help us cross the finish line and ensure every student begins their journey with this meaningful symbol of their commitment to medicine.

There's still time to make a difference. Make your gift today and help us sponsor the final 11 white coats: evmsfoundation.org/mdwhitecoat

As you reflect on your own journey through medical school, you may remember the moment you first put on your white coat — a powerful symbol of the commitment you made to serve, to heal and to lead.

On August 14, we'll welcome 151 new medical students at our White Coat Ceremony as they begin their journey toward becoming physicians.

You can make a lasting and personal difference by becoming a White Coat Champion and sponsoring a white coat for a member of the MD Class of 2030. Your gift of $250 provides an incoming medical student’s first white coat while also supporting scholarships that ensure talented, deserving students can pursue their medical education without undue financial burden.

We are just 18 coats away from having all 151 coats sponsored, and with less than 24 hours remaining, now is the time to make your impact. Please make your gift by July 28 to help ensure every incoming medical student receives their white coat!

Please consider a gift to the EVMS Foundation: evmsfoundation.org/mdwhitecoat

As you reflect on your own journey through medical school, you may remember the moment you first put on your white coat — a powerful symbol of the commitment you made to serve, to heal and to lead.

On August 14, we'll welcome 151 new medical students at our White Coat Ceremony as they begin their journey toward becoming physicians.

You can make a lasting and personal difference by becoming a White Coat Champion and sponsoring a white coat for a member of the MD Class of 2030. Your gift of $250 provides an incoming medical student’s first white coat while also supporting scholarships that ensure talented, deserving students can pursue their medical education without undue financial burden.

We are just 18 coats away from having all 151 coats sponsored, and with less than 24 hours remaining, now is the time to make your impact. Please make your gift by July 28 to help ensure every incoming medical student receives their white coat!

Please consider a gift to the EVMS Foundation: evmsfoundation.org/mdwhitecoat

🎉 Congratulations to one of our outstanding alumni who was recently honored by the Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants (VAPA)!

Marianna Garcia, MPA, PA-C (MPA ’13) was awarded PA of the Year in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the physician assistant profession and commitment to patient care.

She has dedicated the past decade to subspecializing in structural heart and catheter-based interventions at Sentara Health. Her primary focus is delivering excellent patient care in a rapidly evolving field. She has presented at national and regional cardiology conferences and has contributed to over 15 structural heart clinical trials, giving patients access to therapies not yet readily available. She also helps coordinate the Sentara Cardiology APC Education Series. Marianna resides in Hampton Roads with her husband and three children.

We’re proud to celebrate Marianna's dedication, compassion and leadership in healthcare.

🎉 Congratulations to the Joint School of Public Health at Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University on earning accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)!

This accreditation reflects years of collaboration and a commitment to excellence in public health education.

Read more here: https://www.odu.edu/article/joint-school-of-public-health-earns-national-accreditation

The Joint School of Public Health has officially earned accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)!

This achievement reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners who helped build a school committed to advancing health, equity and impact across Virginia and beyond.

accreditation is the gold standard for public health education, affirming that our programs meet rigorous national standards and prepare graduates to tackle today’s most pressing public health challenges.

As the first and only school of public health in Virginia operated jointly by two universities, Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University, this milestone marks an exciting new chapter in our journey.

Thank you to all who made this accomplishment possible, including the Commonwealth of Virginia and Sentara Health. The future of public health is bright, and we’re just getting started.

Can you believe Alumni Weekend is just THREE months away? 🎉

Join us October 16–18 for an unforgettable weekend celebrating an incredible legacy of leadership, service, innovation and experiences that continue to connect classmates today.

✨ Weekend Highlights:
Evening of Connection | Friday, October 16
Gathering on the Lawn (family-friendly!) | Saturday, October 17
Happy Hour Alumni Gathering | Saturday, October 17
Alumni Wine Festival | Sunday, October 18

🎟️ Early Bird Special – Save $50!
Register by September 18 to take advantage of discounted pricing before rates increase. Register for events individually, or make the most of your weekend with the Early Bird Bundle. Attend all four events above for just $100.

See all weekend events and register here: https://evms.imodules.com/2026AW

See hotel info here: https://www.odu.edu/alumni/alumni-weekend

Join us on Saturday, 10/17 at our Alumni Family Gathering on the Lawn! Bring the whole crew for a family-friendly afternoon with food, student-led activities and live music on TowneBank Lawn. It’s fun for the whole family!

Guests under 18 attend free.

Register here: https://evms.imodules.com/2026AW