Community, connection at the center of National Public Health Week 2026
Observed each April, National Public Health Week recognizes the field’s role in improving health, preventing disease, and strengthening communities. At VCU, the PHSA organized daily events to highlight the various specialties and impact of public health and our community.
Honoring academic excellence and Black History Month
Three School of Public Health students were recognized with the 2026 Carter G Woodson Award, presented by the Department of African American Studies on February 25.
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.
VCU launches the Office of Medicaid Evaluation
The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Public Health has established the Office of Medicaid Evaluation to more formally provide analysis and guidance on state and federal Medicaid programs.
Derek Chapman, Ph.D., named Director of VCU Center on Society and Health
The Center on Society and Health (CSH) is an academic research center that studies the health implications of social factors—such as education, income, neighborhood and community environmental conditions, and public policy. The VCU School of Public Health is proud to announce Derek Chapman, Ph.D., will lead the Center on Society and Health as director. Chapman […]
M.P.H. student’s hands-on experience unleashes public health potential
With an undergraduate degree in health, physical education and exercise science, Jocelyn Espinoza planned to continue her health science education, but wasn't sure where. As a certified nursing assistant she gained first-hand experience of the barriers that prevented folks from accessing health care and living healthier lives and pivoted to public health.
One month in: Reflections on leadership, learning, and the future of public health
Monica Swahn, Ph.D. shares her reflections from her first month as Dean of the School of Public Health, including lessons learned from the ASPPH Leadership Retreat in July.
The 2025 SoCOE Conference deemed ‘a tremendous success’
In May, the Science of Community Outreach and Engagement Alliance held its second annual conference in Oakland, California, to share best practices, increase community capacity, and train future leaders.
Robert Perera, Ph.D., joins the Biopharmaceutical Applied Statistics Symposium (BASS) Board of Directors
Robert Perera, Ph.D., interim chair of the Department of Biostatistics in the VCU School of Public Health, has been appointed to the board of the Biopharmaceutical Applied Statistics Symposium (BASS). Perera was nominated for this role by current members of the BASS board after serving on the organization's program committee.
Celebrating National Public Health Week: It Starts Here at VCU!
The VCU Public Health Student Association celebrates collaboration, mentorship and shaping the future of public health.