Education

The challenges and adaptations of 2020 have reminded us constantly to be grateful for the incredible efforts of our health care workers and the generosity fueling advances in research and patient care.

Smell loss, a key symptom of many COVID-19 patients, is being studied by a national project based at VCU. Recent support from the MEDARVA Foundation has enabled this important research to continue.

This year, unlike any other in memory, has reminded us of the importance of gratitude, both as an act of hope and an acknowledgement of abundance during hardship.

It was a joy this month to provide some good news about the resources in place to support Central Virginia healthcare today and in the future. Our annual endowment report, which outlines the performance of more than 1,700 endowed scholarships, professorships, research and program funds, showed encouraging growth and more scholarships available for aspiring physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, therapists and others.

One inspiring thing during the pandemic has been experiencing the generosity of neighbors, alumni, staff, friends and family of the MCV Campus at VCU Health who wanted to help the frontline healthcare workers and researchers in meeting the unique and evolving challenges of the time.

Jason and Jamelle Paige, both of whom are MCV Campus alumni, have given in the past to the School of Dentistry where Jason is an alumnus. Recently, they have decided to support the physical therapy department at the College of Health Professions, which is where Jamelle is an alumna.

Grateful patients, students and colleagues work together to endow a chair and honor esteemed neurosurgeon Dr. Harry Young. 

This news is sure to bring a smile to your face! Richmond magazine released its annual list of Top Dentists, and the MCV Campus can celebrate an overwhelming presence on the list.

Each year, the MCV Foundation Board of Trustees honors people who have made significant contributions to the world-class patient care, research and education that VCU Health delivers right here in our community.

We spoke with several VCU Health nurses who are graduates of the VCU School of Nursing and are playing a critical role during this health crisis. They trained in our community and are now saving lives in our community thanks to their dedication and their incredible nursing training.

Dr. Venitz has inspired and mentored many VCU School of Pharmacy students over his decades of teaching. This year, many of them have given back to establish a scholarship in his honor.

Emerging research suggests that chronic inflammation may be linked to the buildup of cellular debris that causes neurological dysfunction in Alzheimer’s patients. Armed with that knowledge, one VCU Health researcher is exploring how to disrupt inflammation responses and develop treatments for Alzheimer's.