August 28, 2023
Student Experience
Not for profit: Students act locally
Spider interns rolled up their sleeves this summer to help Richmond-area organizations.
Where We Live Matters: Equity, Health, and Housing
Please join the Department of Health Studies in welcoming Mariah Williams, M.U.R.P, a University of Richmond alum, to campus for her talk: ’Where We Live Matters: Equity, Health, and Housing.’
This event will be held in the Whitehurst Living Room on Tuesday, September 19th, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
Sponsored by the Gottwald Speaker Series, Africana Studies program, and the Department of Health Studies
Department of Health Studies Ice Cream Social and Photo Scavenger Hunt
The Department of Health Studies hosted an ice cream social and photo scavenger hunt on September 7th. This event is for interested students, minors and majors. Come and greet faculty, compete to win prizes, and a possible spot on the website with your fabulous photography or just come and have fun.
Please join us on Thursday, Sept. 7th from 3-4pm in the Weinsten Hall Garden of the Five Lions.
Any questions, please contact Susan Wolski.
Health Studies Welcomes New Assistant Professors
The UR Department of Health Studies is pleased to welcome two new tenure-track assistant professors in August 2023.
Dr. Courtney Blondino earned a PhD in Epidemiology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2021 and an MPH from the University of Kentucky in 2017. She worked as a management consultant for several years after earning her doctoral degree. Her research focuses on mental health, substance use, and health behaviors.
Dr. Margaret Tait earned a PhD in Health Services Research, Policy, and Administration from the University of Minnesota in 2023 and an MPH from Johns Hopkins University in 2017. She previously worked for AmeriCorps VISTA and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Her research focuses on how news and social media shape perceptions of U.S. health policy.
The department has moved to a new office suite on the ground floor of Richmond Hall (Richmond G21) that includes workspaces for student researchers. Students interested in contributing to research projects are welcome to reach out to any full-time HS professors to discuss potential opportunities for involvement in their investigations.
Jacobsen Wins National Teaching Award
Dr. Kathryn H. Jacobsen, a professor in the Health Studies department and holder of the William E. Cooper Distinguished University Chair, received the 2023 Velji Global Health Award for Teaching Excellence from the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH).
This award honors an outstanding educator whose teaching and mentorship has had a significant impact on improving the lives of people living in areas where access to health care is lacking. Jacobsen is a global health epidemiologist who has authored two widely used textbooks as well as more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific articles, many written with student coauthors.
“Kathryn welcomes the opportunity to mentor Richmond student researchers and is a wonderful example of the mentorship opportunities forged on our campus,” said Dr. Jenny Cavenaugh, dean of the UR School of Arts & Sciences. “She is a leading expert in her field, and she is training her students to positively influence global health issues.”
Feature Stories
May 18, 2023
University of Richmond Health Studies Professor Kathryn Jacobsen Receives National Award for Teaching Excellence
Jacobsen, William E. Cooper Distinguished University Chair, received the 2023 Velji Global Health Award for Teaching Excellence.
April 20, 2023
Green Spiders promote sustainability
Environmentally savvy seniors Miriam Gilman and Frank Hanson advocate for a more sustainable future.
February 9, 2023
University of Richmond Student Researcher and Environmental Health Advocate Selected for Competitive Luce Scholar Program
Elspeth Collard, a University of Richmond senior from Alexandria, Virginia, has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Luce Scholars Program. This nationally competitive fellowship is awarded annually to 18 graduating seniors and young alumni nationwide. Collard is UR’s second Luce Scholar.
Accomplishments
Mayes Published
Rick Mayes, professor of health studies, published the article "Not What We Signed Up For: Nurse Shortages, Physician Scarcity, and Time for Collective Bargaining?" in World Medical & Health Policy.
View Bio
Jacobsen Awarded
Kathryn H. Jacobsen, William E. Cooper Distinguished University Chair and professor of health studies, received the 2023 Velji Global Health Award for Teaching Excellence from the Consortium of Universities for Global Health. This award honors outstanding teaching and committed, creative approaches to serving underserved populations.
View Bio
Jacobsen Published
Kathryn H. Jacobsen, William E. Cooper Distinguished University Chair and professor of health studies, published the fourth edition of the textbook Introduction to Global Health.
View Bio
Jacobsen Published
Kathryn H. Jacobsen, William E. Cooper Distinguished University Chair and professor of health studies, published the article, "Anxiety and School Absenteeism Without Permission Among Adolescents in 69 Low- and Middle-Income Countries" published in Dialogues in Health.
View BioIn The News
May 22, 2023
Fresh Mpox Warning Issued Ahead of Summer
Health studies professor Kathryn H. Jacobsen, an epidemiologist, is quoted.
August 9, 2022
US Has Declared Monkeypox a National Health Emergency. Here's What That Means.
Health studies professor and epidemiologist Kathryn Jacobsen authored this piece, which first appeared in The Conversation.
August 6, 2022
Monkeypox is now a national public health emergency in the U.S. - an epidemiologist explains what this means
Health studies professor Kathryn H. Jacobsen authored this piece.
Contact Us
Mailing address:
Department of Health Studies
Weinstein Hall
231 Richmond Way, Suite 202F
University of Richmond, Virginia 23173
Phone: (804) 289-8529
Fax: (804) 289-8233
Department Chair: Dr. Kathryn Jacobsen
Academic Administrative Specialist: Susan Wolski