Department of Health Studies

Department of Health Studies

The Department of Health Studies is a vibrant and growing department that equips students with theoretical and empirical frameworks for understanding the social, cultural, environmental, biological, psychological, ethical, economic, legal, and policy contexts that shape individual and population health. Department alumni work in medicine and other clinical professions, public heath, healthcare policy and management, and many other health-related fields.

Major & MinorCourses

Flyer for Event- Mariah Williams

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

Health Studies Ice Cream Social

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.

Margaret and Courtney

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.   

photo of Dr. Kathryn Jacobsen

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.” 

Accomplishments

Dr. B. Rick Mayes
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.  

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Dr. Kathryn H. Jacobsen
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.

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Dr. Kathryn H. Jacobsen
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.

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Dr. Kathryn H. Jacobsen
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.

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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