Student scholarships, real world experience supporting older adults experiencing homelessness

VCU Gerontology and the Virginia Center on Aging are dedicated to supporting students through scholarships and real world professional experience. Recently, VCU funded three students to conduct oral history interviews with older adults experiencing homelessness in the Richmond community.

With new federal grant, VCU project aims to turn shared meals into a gateway to better health for older adults

A new initiative led by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers aims to strengthen one of the most important — and often overlooked — support systems for older adults: a shared meal.

Prescribing connection: Ph.D. student researches power of community for dementia patients

While dementia care largely focuses on medical interventions, social isolation remains an overlooked factor shaping quality of life for patients and their loved ones. Cathleen “Cate” Hawks, a student in the VCU College of Health Professions’ Ph.D. Program in Health Related Sciences, hopes her doctoral research, aided by a large private donation, will change that.

Community Gerontology: Creating change where you are

Help shape the lives of millions by building programs, influencing policy and transforming systems that make a difference. A degree in gerontology is a direct pathway to well paying and secure leadership roles in aging services, public health, nonprofit management, health care systems and beyond.

Disrupt Ageism: Spotify Wrapped & your listening age

If you’re a Spotify user, you’ve probably seen the 2025 "Spotify Wrapped” – an annual personalized re-cap of users' listening history. This year, Spotify included a portion that designates users a specific age based on their listening preferences.

VCU researcher leads interdisciplinary NIH-funded effort to build fairer measures of value for Alzheimer’s drugs

As the federal government prepares to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time, a VCU College of Health Professions researcher is leading an effort to determine whether current methods for judging the “value” of new Alzheimer’s treatments are accurate — and whether they disadvantage vulnerable older adults.

VCU’s Annie Rhodes champions dementia care improvements in Virginia

For Annie Rhodes, Ph.D., what started as a side project during her doctoral studies at VCU has blossomed into a statewide tool that’s reshaping how Virginia tracks and supports individuals diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers.

Inspira Advantage interview with Jennifer M. Yañez Pryor, M.A., M.S., LALFA, Gerontology Graduate Program Director

Inspira Advantage recently interviewed Jennifer M. Yañez Pryor, M.A, M.S., LALFA, Virginia Commonwealth University Gerontology Graduate Program Director to discuss why VCU Gerontology's program stands out from the competition and which qualities students can build during the gerontology program at VCU.

Timeless Newtown: Embracing every generation

Tracey Gendron, Ph.D., chair and professor of VCU Department of Gerontology and executive director of Virginia Center on Aging, has been invited to speak about her book “Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It” as part of town wide read in Newtown, CT.

Interdepartment collaboration expands student perspective on aging and care

A collaboration between the Radiology Sciences’ Timmerie Cohen, Ph.D. and Gerontology’s Jenny Inker, Ph.D. is examining and hopes to ultimately shift the attitudes of Radiation Sciences students toward aging and older adults. Their work represents some of the first research to directly address ageism across health care professions.

Corporate gift expands community health and student education

A generous $100,000 gift from Genworth is supporting both VCU’s Mobile Health and Wellness Program and the Department of Gerontology’s mentored internship track—expanding community health outreach while empowering students with hands‑on experience in senior care leadership.

Working later in life a ‘lifesaver’ for some, a drag for others

Tracey Gendron, Ph.D., chair and professor of Gerontology and executive director of the Virginia Center on Aging, recently was quoted in a Washington Post article about working later in life.

100 People to Meet in 2025: Impact Makers - Meet Annie Rhodes

Annie Rhodes is the Director of the Virginia Memory Project and has been named one of 100 people to meet in 2025!

Making the holidays inclusive for loved ones experiencing cognitive decline

Recognizing how difficult the holiday season can be, VCU gerontology experts share ways to support older adults and their caregivers.

VCoA awarded new ACL Grant: Greater Richmond Elder Justice Shelter

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has awarded $2.8 million in funding through its Elder Justice Innovation Grants Program.

VCU Gerontology and the Virginia Center on Aging releases free trauma-informed care resource

VCU Gerontology and the Virginia Center on Aging recently released their ground-breaking trauma-informed care toolkit, a no-cost online resource for nursing home communities that is the first of its kind nationally.

Virginia Geriatric Education Center awarded $5M grant to improve care of older adults

A five-year federal grant is part of an effort to advance geriatrics care in health systems across the country. The Virginia Geriatric Center is part of the Virginia Center on Aging at the College of Health Professions. (VCU Health News)

Why you feel younger (or older) than your age presented by Dr. Tracey Gendron at TEDxReno

What if the concept of "you're only as old as you feel" wasn't as helpful as you may have thought? In her TEDx talk, Dr. Tracey Gendron explains what feeling your age really means, and how we can change the way we think about growing older.

Introducing the 2024-25 Health Equity Fellows

The Health Humanities Lab (HHL) at the Humanities Research Center and the Office of Health Equity (OHE) are happy to announce the 2024-25 Health Equity Fellows.

Should age matter in politics? VCU professor discusses ageism in the 2024 presidential election and society

Gerontologist Tracey Gendron, director of the Virginia Center on Aging, says a candidate’s age doesn’t define their ability to serve in office.

Gerontology and Virginia Center on Aging colleagues co-author new publication

Kimberly Ivey, Leland "Bert" Waters, and Sarah A. Marrs recently published Don't Treat Us Like Fragile Babies: Mentors' Perspectives of an Intergenerational Mentoring Program for Medical Students in the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships.

Minding the Gap: VCU Richmond Brain Health Initiative

The RBHI, as it’s widely known, provides dementia-related screening, education, coaching, referrals for support and monitoring, and research opportunities in Richmond, which some call a dementia desert for its lack of brain health and memory care centers.

Congratulations to Annie Rhodes for being one of Style Weekly's Top 40 under 40 for 2023!

Read more about Style Weekly's Top 40 under 40: Class of 2023 on the Style Weekly Site.

Jennifer Pryor Selected as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Virginia for 2023

Jennifer Pryor is the Graduate Program Director for the Department of Gerontology at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Network to develop long-term care COVID-19 treatment, infection prevention best practices

A network of long-term care medical directors and clinicians will develop best practices around COVID-19 treatments and infection prevention guidelines for senior living communities, nursing homes and other congregate care settings in Virginia.

Rachel Ramirez featured in podcast on impact of lifelong learning

Rachel Ramirez, executive director of the Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield, recently took part in a podcast for "Chesterfield Behind the Mic."

VCU professor’s new book challenges ageism in society

‘It's so normalized that we literally have to unmask ourselves to be able to see it because it's all around us and it's been all around us for decades.’

VCU President visits Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield

VCU President, Michael Rao, Ph.D., recently visited the Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield (LLI) where he emphasized the importance of social and mental engagement to the wellness of older adults.

New director named for Virginia Center on Aging

Tracey Gendron, Ph.D., has been appointed executive director of the Virginia Center on Aging (VCoA).

VCU honors Annie Rhodes as one of its top 10 graduates of the last decade

Annie Rhodes has been named by her alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University, as one of the university’s top 10 graduates of the past decade. VCU Alumni’s 10 Under 10 awards celebrate alumni who earned their first VCU degree within the past 10 years and who have enjoyed remarkable professional success, made important contributions to their community and/or loyally supported the university.

Inker receives Gold Award and Gendron receives Bronze Award

Jenny Inker, assistant professor and co-director for Assisted Living Administration and Tracey Gendron, chair and associate professor in the Department of Gerontology, recently were honored with Innovative Research on Aging Awards.

Tracey Gendron, Ph.D., speaks with the Richmond Times Dispatch about ageism caused by the Covid-19 pandemic

After a long year of pandemic, older Virginians finally have some something they've longed for - hugs. And hope. Richmond Time Dispatch interviews Tracey Gendron, Ph.D., on her thoughts about the rise of ageism in our nation over the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Healthier together: Confronting loneliness and health care challenges among older adults

COVID-19 accelerated how one community-driven partnership is reimagining the way care is provided to vulnerable older adults through inclusion, inquiry and innovation.

VCoA received CARES Act Covid funding

The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $90,625 to the Virginia Center on Aging to support VCoA’s Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program in preventing, preparing for and responding to COVID-19.