Public health students team up with VPHA for Legislative Advocacy Day
Health Policy students in the VCU Public Health Student Association partnered with Virginia Public Health Association to support public health legislation.
The VCU School of Public Health (SOPH) leveraged its proximity to the Virginia State Capitol this winter when Healthcare Policy and Research Ph.D. students and members of the VCU Public Health Student Association (PHSA) organized a joint Legislative Day with the Virginia Public Health Association (VPHA).
The collaboration began last fall when Grant Frazier, M.P.H., PHSA’s Health Policy Liaison, connected with VPHA’s Ben Barber to explore ways students could engage in current policy efforts. VPHA provided the technical support and structure students needed to move from interest to action. As Barber put it, “They wanted to speak up in support of health policy and learn how to do so effectively in their capacity as students. VPHA was able to provide technical assistance and the opportunity to make it happen.”
Preparation for the day included a virtual briefing hosted by VPHA. Barber guided participants through the advocacy process, offering talking points, addressing common concerns about advocacy, and explaining the basics of how Virginia’s government works. That orientation gave students a clear framework for the meetings they would hold with legislators and staff.
On Thursday, February 5, despite icy conditions and weather delays, the group gathered at One Capitol Square for breakfast and a final review of the day’s agenda before walking to the General Assembly Building. There, students met with representatives and legislative staff to discuss budget amendments aimed at strengthening core public health services and infrastructure across the state. The proposed measures focused on communicable disease prevention and control, local community health services, and public health information technology—areas affected by federal funding cuts the previous summer that reduced Virginia’s public health capacity.
“These initiatives are essential for supporting disease prevention, improving data systems, and ensuring timely responses to public health threats across the state,” said Zhanna Alexeyeva, M.P.H., a Ph.D. student in health policy.
Meetings followed a coordinated format. Frazier introduced the team and outlined the proposed budget amendment, and students added depth through personal experience and subject expertise. Alexeyeva, along with classmates Sonia Riaz, M.D., M.P.H., and Michael Muhoozi, M.H.S.R., each contributed perspectives that personalized the policy discussion and underscored the real‑world implications of the proposed funding.
“Speaking directly with legislators showed me that time is limited, so it is essential to explain the problem, its significance, and the potential impact of proposed policies clearly and concisely,” Alexeyeva explained. “At the same time, working with my team highlighted the value of preparation and coordination, allowing us to present our points confidently and reinforce each other’s messages.”
The event also reinforced an ongoing partnership between VCU and VPHA. Barber, the immediate past president of VPHA, has long supported VCU Public Health and its students. He previously participated in the DMV Alumni Chapter’s Careers in Public Health Panel and continues to contribute time and expertise to student development. SOPH is a sustaining organizational member of VPHA, a relationship that provides faculty, students, and staff with opportunities to participate in the Annual Conference and other VPHA events throughout the year. That institutional connection exemplifies the collaboration and community engagement central to public health practice.
Students praised the “structured and supportive environment” VPHA provided. Riaz, who serves as PHSA Communications Chair, reflected on the experience: “This experience illustrated that advocacy requires not only ‘speaking up’ but also deliberate, strategic communication rooted in teamwork and consistency. It also reinforced the idea that students can make significant contributions when they receive adequate preparation and support.”
Frazier echoed that sentiment, thanking VPHA for its leadership and practical support. “VPHA was an incredible partner,” he said. “Their leadership in public health is unmatched, and I have to give a shoutout to Ben and his team for making this event go above and beyond what I thought it would be. VCU PHSA is looking forward to building off this experience for future educational opportunities and advocacy days.”
Barber described the day as a success on two levels. “It was a big success,” he said. “In my eyes, our goals were two‑fold. Our short term goal was to advocate for support for a central public health infrastructure in Virginia.” He added that the longer‑term aim—empowering the next generation of public health leaders to translate science into effective advocacy—was also advanced as students gained confidence and practical skills.
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Some had never been inside the General Assembly Building or spoken directly with a policymaker. Riaz said the day deepened her commitment to sustained involvement in health policy, noting that clinicians and public health professionals must help shape the upstream policies that determine health outcomes. Muhoozi encouraged peers to get involved early: “Don’t wait until you feel like an ‘expert’ to get involved. Policy isn’t just about knowing every statistic; it’s about showing up. Participating in days like this with organizations like VPHA provides a safety net where you can learn the ropes of advocacy in a supported environment.”
Frazier summed up the practical value of the experience: “This experience has provided a valuable framework for advocating for health policy, not only during the General Assembly, but at any time. It reinforced that we can choose to be advocates no matter the occasion.”
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