Project Heart
Healing with Empathy, Acceptance, Respect and inTegrity
You will find a little extra support during your four years in medical school, thanks to a unique VCU School of Medicine initiative called Project HEART - a reminder to heal with empathy, acceptance, respect and integrity.
As an incoming medical student, Project HEART will assign you to groups that meet at least eight times during your first year, and then throughout the rest of your medical school career—all under the mentorship of faculty or staff members who provide guidance, assistance and support.
The individuals and offices listed below will provide assistance while you are in school. Please feel free to contact them as needed.
Cheryl Chesney-Walker
Executive Director Health Careers/Education and Special Services for Students - individualized counseling for academic problems, determination of disabilities and accommodations
Phone: (804) 828-9782
Office: VMI Building, Room 202
E-mail: clchesneywal@vcu.edu
Web: www.vcuhealthsciences.vcu.edu/sassdss/index.html
Dr. Linda Costanzo
Assistant Dean for Medical Education - general and academic counseling/advising for M1 and M2 students, referral for any student services
Phone: (804) 828-7559
Office: Sanger Hall, Room B1-013
E-mail: lcostanz@vcu.edu
Web: Medical Education Curriculum Office
Heather Davison
Registrar for the School of Medicine, notary public for medical students - maintains the permanent record of grades, the go-between for the School of Medicine and the USMLE (licensing organization)
Phone: (804) 828-9793
Office: Sanger Hall, Room 1-007
E-mail: hcdavison@vcu.edu
Web: Registrar’s Office
Dr. Alan Dow
Assistant Dean for Medical Education - general and academic counseling/advising for M3 students, referral for any student services
Phone: (804) 828-5323 or 828-0068
Office: West Hospital, 2nd floor, Room 109
E-mail: awdow@vcu.edu
Web: Counseling
Woody Hanes
Academic Skills Counselor - individualized counseling for academic problems, determination of disabilities and accommodations
Phone: (804) 828-9782
Office: VMI Building, Room 202
E-mail: wbhanes@vcu.edu
Web: www.vcuhealthsciences.vcu.edu/sassdss/index.html
Nancy Jackson
Program Support Technician - oversight of the electives program for the School of Medicine
Phone: (804) 828-9784
Office: Sanger Hall, Room 1-002
E-mail: nbjackso@vcu.edu
Web: Electives
Janet Mundie
Student Services Specialist - oversight of all student organizations, completion of the Medical Student Performance Evaluation, coordinates the matching of medical students with residency programs
Phone: (804) 828-9791
Office: Sanger Hall, Room 1-002
E-mail: jhmundie@vcu.edu
Web: Student Organizations
Dr. Glenda Palmer
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs - Director of Financial Aid, general and academic counseling/advising, referral for any student services
Phone: (804) 828-5271
Office: Sanger Hall, Room 1-008
E-mail: gupalmer@vcu.edu
Web: Financial Aid
Lelia Brinegar, B.S., M.Ed.
Director of the Curriculum Office - general and academic counseling/advising, referral for any student services
Phone: (804) 828-9790
Office: Sanger Hall, Room 1-011
E-mail: lebrinegar@vcu.edu
Web: Medical Education Curriculum Office
Dr. Chris Woleben
Associate Dean of Student Affairs - general and academic counseling/advising, referral for any student services
Phone: (804) 828-9791
Office: Sanger Hall, Room 1-005
E-mail: cmwolebe@vcu.edu
Web: Student Affairs
Dr. Ike Wood
Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education and Student Affairs - general and academic counseling/advising, referral for any student services
Phone: (804) 828-9791
Office: Sanger Hall, Room 1-002
E-mail: iwood@vcu.edu
Web: Medical Education
Confidential Aid to Students
A student-selected and operated organization created to provide support for fellow classmates in need
Nathan Bennion, e-mail: bennionnr@vcu.edu
Lindsay Dow, e-mail: dowla@vcu.edu
Mark Henin, e-mail: heninmd@vcu.edu
Joe Nale, e-mail: nalejps@vcu.edu
Rachel Poliquin, e-mail: poliquinrc@vcu.edu
Dave Prestosa, e-mail: prestosad@vcu.edu
Joel Rowe, e-mail: rowejc@vcu.edu
Megan Shandelson, e-mail: shandelsonmr@vcu.edu
Mona Singh, e-mail: singhmk@vcu.edu
Monica Velasquez, e-mail: velasquezmg@vcu.edu
Financial Aid
Counseling about debt management in medical school and assistance with educational loans and scholarships
Phone: (804) 828-5271
Office: Sanger Hall, Room 1-008
Web: Financial Aid
University Counseling Services
Professional counseling and consultation for students to explore personal concerns and to obtain help in making changes in their lives
Phone: (804) 828-3964
Office: Grant House, Basement
Web: VCU University Counseling Services
University Student Health Services
Primary care services, blood and body fluid evaluations and preventive health care
Phone: (804) 828-9220
Office: VMI Building, Room 305
Web: VCU University Student Health Services
Wellness Resource Center
Education on alcohol and drugs, quitting smoking, nutrition, stress management and sexual health, as well as confidential services for students who experience sexual assault or relationship violence
Phone: (804) 828-9355
Office: 815 S. Cathedral Place
Web: VCU University Student Health Services
