Vimbai Dihwa recognized for excellence with Black History in the Making award
On Tuesday, February 25, Vimbai Dihwa, a Ph.D. student, received the Black History in the Making award from VCU’s Department of African American Studies.
The award, established in 1983 by Daryl Dance, Ph.D. to honor the achievements of African American students, has recognized over 550 students since then, with 62 more added this week.
Dihwa, a student in the Health Care Policy and Research (HCPR) program at VCU’s School of Public Health, was nominated by Peter Cunningham, Ph.D., interim chair of the Department of Health Policy.
“Vimbai is an outstanding, well-rounded, and exemplary student in the HCPR doctoral program who demonstrates academic excellence, and service to the community and university,” Cunningham said in his nomination. “This award is well deserved.”
“To me, ‘Black History in the Making’ is such a powerful reminder that the stories, efforts and successes of Black people across the diaspora are deeply interconnected and that we inherit this history, but we are also actively creating it right now, together,” Dihwa said. “I was so moved when I found out that I had been nominated for this award because this recognition of my contributions so far is also a reflection of my supportive community and family, the exceptional guidance from my academic advisor and mentors, and the rich learning experience that I’ve had among my colleagues in the Department of Health Policy. I feel very grateful and encouraged, and I hope to live up to the meaning of this award and to continue embodying the values it celebrates.”
Dihwa’s accomplishments include:
Research:
- Focuses on disparities in access to care, with an emphasis on maternal health care access.
- Works as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) evaluating Virginia Medicaid programs, including those related to substance use disorders, postpartum care, and long-term care.
- Contributed to several peer-reviewed publications, reports, and presentations at professional conferences.
Education and Leadership:
- Co-developed and taught an undergraduate course on “Fundamentals of Health Services Research and Data Analysis” at Virginia State University
- Guest lectured in HCPR Ph.D. courses.
- Serves as a peer mentor and volunteers at departmental events for new students.
“Her willingness to share her expertise and perspective has greatly enriched the academic experience of her peers and contributed to a supportive learning environment within the HCPR program,” Cunningham said.
This summer, Dihwa will defend her dissertation, titled “Health Equity During Times of National Crisis: Access to Care Among Women of Reproductive Age in Zimbabwe and the United States.” After graduation, she will pursue a career in evidence-based research to influence health policy at the state, national, and international levels.
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