VCU School of Public Health

06/04/2026

Happy 30th anniversary to the Bolashak International Scholarship Program! 🇰🇿 🎉

Dean Monica Swahn, Ph.D., and Askar Chukmaitov, Ph.D., director of the VCU-Bolashak program, had the honor of visiting Kazakhstan for the celebration last month.

Bolashak—run through Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Center for International Programs—has played a major role in supporting the education and professional growth of future leaders, clinicians, and public servants.

We’re proud that is part of this important work. Our faculty help coordinate advanced training for Kazakhstani clinicians at Virginia Commonwealth University, building clinical skills, strengthening international connections, and supporting the country’s healthcare workforce.

It was wonderful to celebrate this milestone together and look ahead to even more collaboration in the years to come.

06/03/2026

Did you hear the news? and the VCUarts will offer a new interdisciplinary minor in the fall for undergrad students: Public Health and the Arts.

This is one of two new minors we'll offer starting this fall!

Creative technology instruction, public health and the arts, and screenwriting offer fresh options for students majoring in a variety of disciplines.

06/01/2026

Congratulations, Dr. Shillpa Naavaal!

VCU Department of Health Policy VCU Dentistry

Huge congratulations to Dr. Shillpa Naavaal on earning her Ph.D. in Health Policy from the VCU School of Public Health. This achievement not only reflects her dedication to improving population health but also highlights the high caliber of scholarship fostered at VCU. We look forward to the continued impact she will make in improving the oral health of populations here and beyond.

06/01/2026

Incredibly proud of Anabeel Sen, Ph.D. student in and scholarship recipient.

Anabeel Sen completed medical school in Bangladesh where he would see people from all walks of life and realized that social factors were a determinant of health. Inspired, he decided to pursue his Ph.D. in epidemiology. Now he is a VCU School of Public Health scholarship recipient.

"The scholarship gives you that academic encouragement, that inspiration. You can focus completely on your dissertation."

VCU Health

05/29/2026

Next year, VCU Health Sciences Library will move into the Hunton Student Center!

Expect some changes to student learning and collaboration spaces as the VCU Health Sciences Library relocates during the 2026-2027 academic year, but know our liaison Samantha Gus will be available for reference and research consultations virtually and at OCS.

Health Sciences Library will move to Hunton Student Center May 12, 2026 The VCU Health Sciences Library, 509 N. 12th Street, will move to the Hunton Student Center at 1110 East Broad Street during the 2026-2027 academic year. There has been a health sciences library serving the academic medical camp...

05/27/2026

Join VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center on Tuesday, June 2, for the Virginia Public Health Summit on Cancer.

Save your spot today! https://bit.ly/4tAIl2K

Are you ready to move from 'idea' to 'action'? Join us on June 2 for a powerful summit focused on public health, cancer prevention, and community impact.

This isn't just another meeting, it’s a hands-on experience. Participants will engage hands-on workshops as well designed to turn ideas into progress!

📍 When: June 2, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
🎟️ Save your spot today! https://bit.ly/4tAIl2K

05/26/2026

05/26/2026

In a recent interview with MCV Foundation, alum Frank Rockhold, Ph.D. said, “Anyone can make a presentation that you don’t understand. It takes a skilled team to make one that everyone can understand.”

With that in mind and Dr. Rockhold's support, VCU Biostatistics Department invited Paula Otto, an expert in leadership, ethics, strategic planning and communications, to lead a seminar on developing and delivering research talks. The students had a great time, and many had the opportunity to put their new skills to work during the session.

We're deeply grateful for Dr. Rockhold's investment in our students and Paula Otto for joining us last month. We look forward to more skill-building sessions in the future!

05/22/2026

Join us in celebrating two faculty members who were highlighted for their community engagement and research by VCU's Division of Community Engagement!

⭐️ Excellence in Community Engaged Research: Katherine Tossas, Ph.D., assistant professor in VCU Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

⭐️ Excellence in Community Engagement: Emily Zimmerman, Ph.D., professor of .

05/20/2026

Join American Public Health Association's Environment Section on May 22 to hear recent grad Emma Wagner, M.P.H., present her research, “Investigating Associations Between Black-legged Tick Counts and Climatological and Ecological Factors in Virginia.”

https://apha.zoom.us/j/85696386760