VCU School of Medicine on the MCV Campus

The gang’s all here! Our newest graduate students arrived on the MCV Campus on Thursday to start their certificate, master’s and doctorate programs. These future physicians, scientists and educators join us from all over the world, and we can’t wait to see what this cohort accomplishes while they’re here.

Learn about some of these new students via SOM News:
https://medschool.vcu.edu/news/search/welcoming-our-2026-graduate-student-cohort--.html

Wherever he went in his life, Alexander Vap, M.D., made an impression. Now the late VCU Health orthopaedic surgeon’s legacy of compassion and mentorship lives on in an annual resident award that carries his name.

The award “epitomizes everything he stood for,” said inaugural recipient Brady Ernst, M.D., a 2021 alumnus who trained with Vap during his residency on the MCV Campus. “He left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.”

New resident award honors physician’s legacy of mentorship The Alexander Vap, M.D., Endowed Resident Education Award in Orthopaedic Surgery recognizes a chief resident who exemplifies the work ethic, attitude, empathy and skills of the late physician.

Nearly every hour of a Division I student-athlete’s day is accounted for. Morning workouts often start before the sun rises, and late afternoons are reserved for practice, team dinners and active recovery that can stretch into the evening.

For three School of Medicine students, those experiences have taught lifelong, translatable skills in grit, dedication and getting up when you are knocked down.


“Volleyball taught me that I can improve if I put the work in, and that talent isn’t the only thing that determines success,” M3 Gina Tuzzolo, who played DI volleyball at VCU, said. “If I didn’t play, I don’t think I would have even remotely the amount of belief I have in myself.”

“In sports, you learn to put in hard work, even if results don’t come right away,” M.D.-Ph.D. student Amanda Sandberg said. “It teaches you to trust the process and not let the bad days bring you down.”

“In the basketball world, a player focused only on themselves isn’t going to make the team better. You have to have love in your heart for your teammates and their success as well,” M3 Sam Wolfe said. “I think it’s the same in medicine. You have to learn to bring value to your team, no matter what.”

Before jumping back into classes in late July, our M2s spent their summer break traveling, doing research, celebrating milestones, hanging out with family and friends and making the most of their time away.

Here’s a little scrapbook of what some of our students were up to this summer. 💛

Join us in congratulating Adam P. Klausner, M.D., on his appointment as chair of the Dorothy A. Pauley Department of Urology at the VCU School of Medicine.

After leading the newly-established department as interim chair since its founding in 2025, Dr. Klausner officially assumed the role of chair on Aug. 1.

A nationally recognized urologic surgeon-scientist, he has been a member of the VCU faculty since 2004. Dr. Klausner leads a multidisciplinary research program and laboratory focused on improving the diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder through innovative technologies. He currently holds roles as both the Endeavour Legacy Foundation Distinguished Chair in Urology and the Warren Koontz Research Professor in Urology.

Congratulations Dr. Klausner, on this well-deserved appointment.

Researchers at VCU are helping advance a national effort to improve the detection and diagnosis of Lewy body dementia, the second most common form of progressive dementia in the United States after Alzheimer's disease.

VCU is one of four research sites participating in a $2.5 million, multi-institution study led by UT Health San Antonio and funded by the Lewy Body Dementia Association. Researchers aim to close critical diagnostic gaps by evaluating new screening approaches that could identify the disease earlier and improve care for patients and families.

“Our efforts will help transform how we diagnose and eventually treat those affected by dementia with Lewy bodies,” said Matthew Barrett, M.D., lead researcher for the VCU site, vice chair for translational research and professor in the Department of Neurology at VCU School of Medicine.

Read more via VCU Health news: https://www.vcuhealth.org/news/vcu-serves-as-a-site-for-transformative-study-on-lewy-body-dementia

VCU serves as a site for transformative study on Lewy body dementia | VCU Health Virginia Commonwealth University is one of several research sites involved in a major national study focused on improving detection and diagnosis of Lewy body dementia – one of the most common types of progressive dementia in the United States. 

On Friday, July 31, the Class of 2030 officially donned their white coats during the White Coat Ceremony, marking the beginning of their journey in medicine.

Following the two-week Transition to Medical School program, the class was joined by family, friends, faculty and staff as they received their white coats and recited the Oath of Geneva for the first time.

Swipe through for highlights from this memorable day. 📸

Join us in congratulating Monica Baskin, Ph.D., on her new role as director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center! She has held the position on an interim basis since March 2026, in addition to serving as the associate dean for cancer innovation in the School of Medicine and professor in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care.

A world-renowned population scientist and champion of the community-to-bench cancer care model, Dr. Baskin is the first female director of Massey and the first Black woman to be named director of a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.

https://news.vcu.edu/article/monica-l-baskin-named-director-of-vcu-massey-comprehensive-cancer-center

Our M.D. Class of 2030 wrapped up the first week of Transition to Medical School with a community service day. Students volunteered with organizations across Richmond, building early connections with the communities they will serve as future physicians. Here are a few snapshots from the day. 📸

Join us in welcoming our newest cohort of medical students! On Monday, July 20, the M.D. Class of 2030 officially arrived at the MCV Campus to kick off their journey with Transition to Medical School, a two-week orientation that introduces them to the next chapter of their lives.

Learn more about the Class of 2030 via SOM news: https://medschool.vcu.edu/news/student-life/welcome-md-class-of-2030/