Healthcare and Public Health

Spiders engage with organizations that provide quality healthcare services, promote wellness, and advance public health initiatives. If you'd like to engage with one of these organizations, please complete the interest form.

Community Relationships

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross provides disaster relief, blood donation services, health and safety training, and support to military families, contributing to emergency response and community resilience.
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Birth in Color RVA

Birth in Color RVA is dedicated to improving maternal and infant health outcomes in marginalized communities by providing childbirth education, doula support, and advocacy services.
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Connor’s Heroes

Connor’s Heroes supports children and families facing pediatric cancer by providing financial assistance, emotional support, and educational resources to improve their quality of life.
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CrossOver Healthcare Ministry

CrossOver Healthcare Ministry offers medical, dental, and behavioral health services to uninsured and underserved individuals, promoting access to essential healthcare services.
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Explore Opportunities at CrossOver West End

The Doorways

The Doorways provides lodging and support services to patients and their families traveling to Richmond for medical care, ensuring they have a comfortable and supportive place to stay.
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Goochland Cares

Goochland Cares offers comprehensive health and human services to residents in Goochland County, focusing on medical care, dental services, mental health support, and more.
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Health Brigade

Health Brigade provides healthcare and wellness services to marginalized and underserved populations, addressing medical, dental, and mental health needs.
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Latinos en Virginia Empowerment Center

The Latinos en Virginia Empowerment Center offers healthcare services, education, and advocacy to empower the Latino community and improve their overall health and well-being.
Explore Opportunities at Latinos in Virginia

Reinhart Guest House

The Reinhart Guest House provides lodging and support services for families of patients receiving medical treatment in Richmond, offering a compassionate and affordable place to stay.
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Virginia Anti-Violence Project

The Virginia Anti-Violence Project addresses and prevents violence within LGBTQ+ communities through advocacy, support, and education.
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Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative

The Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative works to improve the health and outcomes of newborns and their families by facilitating collaboration among healthcare providers.
Explore Opportunities at Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative

World Pediatric Project

The World Pediatric Project provides surgical and medical care to children in Central America and the Caribbean, offering life-changing treatments to those in need.
Explore Opportunities at World Pediatric Project

Campus Connections

University of Richmond Best Buddies
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our University of Richmond Chapter connects to young adults with IDD's in the Richmond area to University of Richmond students to offer events, bonding opportunities, and advocacy. University of Richmond Students are encouraged to join as a Peer Buddy or an Associate Member and attend our monthly events which include everything from spider athletics to cookie decorating to pajama movie parties. It's a great way to get involved in the community, make new friends or even get a leadership position in an internationally recognized non-profit.


Camp Kesem
Kesem is a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders, that supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer. Kesem’s flagship program, Camp Kesem, operates over 100 free summer camps across the country for children ages 6 to 18 who have been impacted by a parent’s cancer. Kesem programs have a lasting impact on children by providing them a peer-support network that understands their unique needs, builds confidence and strengthens their communication skills. Camp Kesem at University of Richmond was founded in 2009 and supports children in the Richmond community by providing a free week-long summer camp experience and year-round peer support. Camp Kesem at University of Richmond is operated by 45 student volunteers and serves 90 campers ages 6-18 per year.


Pre-Health Web
The Pre-Health Web’s mission is to provide equal and equitable opportunities and resources to all pre-health undergraduate students, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, gender, sexual orientation, and any other identity.

Relay for Life
UR Relay for Life is committed to raising awareness and money for the American Cancer Society. The club hosts fundraisers and a large event in the spring (the Relay) with cancer survivors, speakers, and participants.

UR-EMS
University of Richmond Emergency Medical Services (UREMS) is a student-run organization of dedicated first responders who offer assistance in the event of a medical emergency on campus.

Relevant Courses

HS 202 Patients and Providers
Examines the roles of the various professionals involved in providing healthcare services, including diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitation services for inpatients and outpatients; the ways that patients from a diversity of racial/ethnic, sex/gender, age, rural/urban, and other backgrounds access and experience the healthcare system; and the ways that patients and practitioners understand health, healing, illness, disability, and death.

HS 240 Law and Medicine
Examines the intersection of law and medicine, primarily in medical malpractice litigation and also by looking at other areas of medical jurisprudence including state and federal health care regulation.

LAIS 307 Medical Spanish: Health and Medicine in the Community
This class collaborates with Spanish-speaking communities in Richmond through volunteering and community projects with local clinics, healthcare providers, and community centers. Students apply their knowledge in Health Studies using their second language skills to connect the Spanish-speaking community with health services, and become familiar with the central aspects of translating and interpreting in the healthcare field. We approach the relationship between doctor and patient by reflecting on the relationship between illnesses/diseases, culture, and social class.

LDST 290: Healthcare, the Environment, and Biomedicine
Students should expect to volunteer at local health-related organizations, including CrossOver Health, the Richmond City Health Department, VCU Health System, and the James River Association as part of their class.

PLSC 365 U.S. Healthcare Policy and Politics
Examination of political and economic evolution of the American healthcare system: doctors, hospitals, managed care, Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance, public health, epidemiology, mental health, pediatric health, tort reform, and psychopharmacology, among other topics. Includes comparative analysis of other countries' healthcare systems.

SOC 340 Sociology of Health and Illness
Advanced course serving as an introduction to the sociological study of health and illness. Draws upon a critical sociological perspective to understand how society shapes health and health disparities. Investigates social factors that harm our health and well being, particularly those that produce disparities along major social strata (e.g., race and ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation).