Workforce Development

Sheryl Garland, M.H.A., Vice President of Community Outreach at VCU Health System and Administrative Director of the VCU Center on Health Disparities; and Kevin Harris, M.H.S., director of Diversity Access Programs at VCU, lead the Workforce Development Task Force. Mr. Harris’ work focuses on the development and coordination of VCU’s academic Pipeline programs.

Workforce Development Goal

To enhance diversity by increasing the number of underrepresented minority health professions students, faculty and health care staff at the VCU Medical Center.

Strategies to Attain Goal

Priority 1: Coordinate information gathering and sharing regarding underrepresented students and health professional training programs at VCU.

Priority 2: Review current recruitment practices and, as appropriate, develop new initiatives for recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority faculty and staff at VCU, with a focus on the VCU Medical Center.

Priority 3: Inventory, promote and disseminate the institutional knowledge base including programs, services and resources available at VCU and VCU Medical Center that address health disparities and health literacy issues.

VCU’s Pipeline to the Health Careers

VCU offers more than a dozen Pipeline programs that offer students an up-close look at health care. The primary goal of Pipeline programs is to prepare underrepresented minoritiy and disadvantaged students for a successful career in health care by providing them with resources and experiences throughout their middle, high school, undergraduate and professional school years. Many of the Pipeline programs are offered at no cost for those interested in a career in the health care field. Visit the links above, or call (804) 828-6050 to learn how to apply.