Healthcare Disparities
July 14, 2025
For Susannah Carter, ’25, who is pursuing a career in counseling psychology and public health, one course – Healthcare Disparities: Nonprofit Community Healthcare – with local alum and community health expert Kerrissa MacPherson was an exciting way to culminate her four years in Richmond.
"The class challenged me and helped me see new aspects of a familiar city," Carter said.
As program manager of community impact at Bon Secours, MacPherson works to increase access to quality health care that our community needs. Her course at the University of Richmond introduces students to concepts of health disparities and nonprofit community health utilizing the city of Richmond as a case study.
"With the work I do for Bon Secours, I spend a lot of time looking at data, and the trends are clear," MacPherson said. "We know that there are historical, policy, and structural reasons for the disparities we see, and we have moral obligation to pass that on in academic settings to students who will be in healthcare for years to come."
With funding support from the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, multiple guest speakers visited the class, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and health advocates from Bon Secours, Birth in Color, and VCU Health.
"This semester, I learned that healthcare is so much more than just physical health," Carter said. "This course taught me so much about the role of race in healthcare from a social and stigmatic perspective."
Students also spent time exploring the city of Richmond on a bus tour organized by The Valentine.
"It really matters to get off campus and makes what we’re talking about in a theoretical sense come to life," MacPherson said.
The bus tour included stops at Lumpkin’s Jail and the African Burial Ground, the Egyptian Building and inaugural home for the Medical College of Virginia, Oakwood Cemetery, Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, and Abner Clay Park.
The experience was particularly eye-opening for Carter who reflected, "So many providers have much to learn about the vulnerability and sensitivity of healthcare spaces and how engaging with hidden parts of our city’s history can help them better care for their patients’ bodies, minds, and hearts."
At the end of the semester, the class also attended A Data Walk: Exploring Child Well-Being in the Richmond Region hosted by Voices for Virginia’s Children, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, Bon Secours, and the University of Richmond to explore new maps and charts from Unpacking the Census and engage in dialogue about a path forward for the children of the Richmond region.
"We’re in a difficult time as a nation for public health and funding for public health," MacPherson said. "Our students’ passion for service and learning is hope giving for the future of our country."
"The class challenged me and helped me see new aspects of a familiar city," Carter said.
As program manager of community impact at Bon Secours, MacPherson works to increase access to quality health care that our community needs. Her course at the University of Richmond introduces students to concepts of health disparities and nonprofit community health utilizing the city of Richmond as a case study.
"With the work I do for Bon Secours, I spend a lot of time looking at data, and the trends are clear," MacPherson said. "We know that there are historical, policy, and structural reasons for the disparities we see, and we have moral obligation to pass that on in academic settings to students who will be in healthcare for years to come."
With funding support from the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, multiple guest speakers visited the class, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and health advocates from Bon Secours, Birth in Color, and VCU Health.
"This semester, I learned that healthcare is so much more than just physical health," Carter said. "This course taught me so much about the role of race in healthcare from a social and stigmatic perspective."
Students also spent time exploring the city of Richmond on a bus tour organized by The Valentine.
"It really matters to get off campus and makes what we’re talking about in a theoretical sense come to life," MacPherson said.
The bus tour included stops at Lumpkin’s Jail and the African Burial Ground, the Egyptian Building and inaugural home for the Medical College of Virginia, Oakwood Cemetery, Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, and Abner Clay Park.
The experience was particularly eye-opening for Carter who reflected, "So many providers have much to learn about the vulnerability and sensitivity of healthcare spaces and how engaging with hidden parts of our city’s history can help them better care for their patients’ bodies, minds, and hearts."
At the end of the semester, the class also attended A Data Walk: Exploring Child Well-Being in the Richmond Region hosted by Voices for Virginia’s Children, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, Bon Secours, and the University of Richmond to explore new maps and charts from Unpacking the Census and engage in dialogue about a path forward for the children of the Richmond region.
"We’re in a difficult time as a nation for public health and funding for public health," MacPherson said. "Our students’ passion for service and learning is hope giving for the future of our country."