VCU College of Health Professions

Love science? ☑️
Interested in health care? ☑️
Medical Laboratory Sciences is for you! 🔬

Don't miss the MLS Spring Open house on Feb. 26 from 3-5 p.m. Meet faculty and students on our 6th floor and enjoy some snacks and refreshments. Register here: https://buff.ly/3WtR7BU


VCU Medical Laboratory Sciences - College of Health Professions

Happy CRNA Week! 🎉 CRNAs are highly skilled anesthesia providers who make a difference in patient care every day. From the operating room to pain management and beyond, their expertise keeps patients safe and comfortable.
Join us in celebrating and thanking these dedicated health professionals! 💛👏

VCU Nurse Anesthesia - College of Health Professions

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 💛🖤

Visit here for the full schedule and details of MLK events: mlkday.vcu.edu

We hope everyone is having a great start to the semester! Whether you're studying, connecting with classmates, or just finding your rhythm, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Wishing you a successful and fulfilling journey ahead! 💛

VCU Department of Radiation Sciences-College of Health Professions is hosting several information sessions!
These will include an overview of our admission process and an interactive question/answer portion with our students, faculty, and staff.

To sign up, please visit: https://buff.ly/4hhXOz3

VCU Occupational Therapy - College of Health Professions assistant professor Brooke Dexheimer, Ph.D., OTD, OTR/L, is a co-investigator in a groundbreaking multi-site study, funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - NINDS, to understand motor learning and brain stimulation in patients recovering from neurological injuries and stroke.

“Motor learning is such a critical process for all of us, whether it’s a baby learning to walk or an adult relearning how to use their hand after a stroke,” she said. “By understanding the underlying neuroscience, we can develop more targeted and effective rehabilitation strategies.”

Learn more: https://buff.ly/3Wh8hCu

❄️VCU will close on Monday, January 6 due to inclement weather.

Read full details: https://alert.vcu.edu/

As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to celebrate YOU—our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters. Your dedication and passion are what make this community so special. 💛

May your holiday season be filled with joy, health, and moments of connection with loved ones. Here’s to a bright and hopeful new year ahead!

Makailah (left) and Maikah Flores graduated this month with degrees in health services from CHP. Though the twins will now pursue different areas of focus, CHP will remain a cherished experience they have in common. 💛

Read the full story here: https://buff.ly/3ZXWXh3

CHP in the news: 📰 Tracey Gendron, Ph.D., chair and professor of VCU Gerontology and executive director of the Virginia Center on Aging at VCU, recently was quoted in a Washington Post article about working later in life.

“Work can be a lifesaver,” Gendron said. “Staying engaged with a professional network keeps us healthy and gives us an extra reason to get up in the morning.”

Read more:

Guest column | Working later in life a ‘lifesaver’ for some, a drag for others “Staying engaged with a professional network keeps us healthy and gives us an extra reason to get up in the morning,” says one expert.

Recognizing how difficult the holiday season can be, VCU Gerontology experts share ways to support older adults and their caregivers. 🎄💛 Read more: https://buff.ly/4g8850v

Making the holidays inclusive for loved ones experiencing cognitive decline By Olivia Trani For many people, the holiday season is a special time to connect with loved ones, share memories, and enjoy family traditions. However, for older adults with cognitive decline and family members who look after them, this time of year can be emotionally challenging. A person experienc...

12 years of holiday magic! ✨

For over a decade, our VCU Occupational Therapy - College of Health Professions students have volunteered with the Children's Museum of Richmond for the Sensitive Legendary Santa event—a heartwarming tradition that brings joy and inclusion to families in our community.

This special event ensures that children who have sensory sensitivities and/or disabilities can experience the magic of Santa in a comfortable and welcoming environment. ❤️🌟

We’re honored to be part of this meaningful experience year after year!

We are thrilled to celebrate our colleague, Dr. Ann Rhodes, for being named one of Virginia Business’s “100 People to Meet in 2025: Impact Makers.” This well-deserved recognition shines a spotlight on her remarkable work as Director of the Virginia Memory Project (VMP).

Launched in 2022, VMP is one of only four dementia disease registries in the nation. Developed in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University, the Virginia Department of Health, and the CDC, the project has already made a profound impact. Starting in 2025, VMP will be codified into Virginia law—ensuring ongoing resources, education, and data-driven policy support for individuals and caregivers affected by dementia and neurodegenerative diseases.

Annie’s dedication to empowering communities and creating meaningful change is truly inspiring. Please join us in congratulating her on this prestigious honor and the lasting impact of her work in Virginia and beyond!

https://virginiabusiness.com/impact-makers-2025/

This semester, we bid a heartfelt farewell to three incredible members of our college as they step into retirement. 💐

👏 Beth Williamson Ayers, Director of Outreach and Professional Affairs, has been a driving force in building connections and advancing opportunities for our college.
💖 Stephanie Hamilton, Assistant Professor in the VCU Patient Counseling - College of Health Professions, has guided students with compassion and care, leaving a lasting impact on future professionals.
🌟 Miriam Mayhew, Program Administrative Specialist in the VCU Medical Laboratory Sciences - College of Health Professions, has been a behind-the-scenes hero, supporting the success of her department every step of the way.

Their dedication, leadership, and service have touched so many lives, and their legacy will continue to inspire. Please join us in celebrating Beth, Stephanie, and Miriam as they begin this exciting new chapter of their lives. You will be missed! 💛

Exciting innovation in health care! ✨ Our VCU Physical Therapy - College of Health Professions team is using immersive virtual reality (VR) to provide hope for chronic back pain relief. This intervention combines cutting-edge technology with expert care to improve patients' quality of life.

Discover how we're transforming pain management through VR. 🎮 Read more: https://buff.ly/3ZC4n9p

Ready. Set. Inspire! ✨ Tamara Buck, assistant professor in the VCU Physical Therapy - College of Health Professions, is transforming lives with her "Together We Run" program at Virginia Commonwealth University's Mary and Frances Youth Center. This 10-week initiative helps underserved children, ages 8–13, train for and complete a 5K race—fostering fitness, confidence, and a lifelong love for movement.
Every child is paired with both a race buddy and a training buddy—often our dedicated physical therapy students—who encourage and support them throughout their journey.

“I really don't care as much about how fast they might go, because some people don't have fun going fast. I just care that they go,” Buck shared.

Programs like this empower kids and build healthier communities. 🌟 Here's the full story: https://buff.ly/4eWDUYL

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving! 💛🍁

At CHP, we are so thankful for the passion, dedication, and care that defines our community. Whether you're a student preparing to make a difference, a faculty or staff member guiding the way, or a friend supporting our mission, your impact is truly felt.

This Thanksgiving, we celebrate you and the shared commitment to educating the heart of health care. May your holiday be filled with gratitude, warmth, and connection.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at CHP!

We’re proud to share that Carolyn Hawley and Bert Waters have been honored with the VCU 2024 National/International Recognition Award (NIRA)! 🌟

This prestigious award celebrates faculty who achieve exceptional accomplishments on a national or international stage, exemplifying excellence and leadership within their fields.

Congratulations to Dr. Hawley and Dr. Waters for this well-deserved recognition and for being among VCU’s most distinguished scholars! 🎉👏

VCU Rehabilitation Counseling - College of Health Professions
VCU Gerontology