When I began as chair of VCU Health Administration in September 2020, we were in the thick of the pandemic — navigating uncertainty, isolation and rapid societal changes. 

So much is different. And much remains the same. 

That first year on campus was about steadying our footing to grow our team after a number of retirements, reconnecting with students and alumni in new ways and setting the foundation for what would become a period of true department and College of Health Professions transformation. 

Today, VCU Health Administration remains a top 10 health leadership program by U.S. News & World Report. As I prepare to step into a new role as dean of The Ohio State University College of Public Health, it’s clear that change — whether small adjustments along the way, or massive and abrupt shifts — is constant. 

And when faced with uncertainty, whether personal or professional, you must recenter on your values: What’s important to you? What do you stand for? It can be hard to navigate (let alone strategize) amid chaos, but let your values be your guide on the decisions, actions and mindset when the external world feels unclear. 

Clearly, I’ve spent some time reflecting on nearly five years on my own career journey here at VCU and that of our department. 

• We’ve built a resilient team, welcoming new high-caliber faculty and staff whose passions for teaching and research brought renewed energy to the department.
• We enhanced our national visibility, organizing engagements at the College of Health Professions building with international and nationally known experts.
• We revised and modernized our MHA/ MSHA curricula and launched several certificate programs, all to better reflect the needs of our students and the evolving health care landscape. 
• Our applications and acceptance rates have remained strong even in the face of the enrollment cliff (a byproduct of the recession’s drop in birth rates) and broadened the backgrounds of our student cohorts.
• And our student body has grown more diverse in every sense of the word — backgrounds, interests and ambition.
• We celebrated the department’s 75th anniversary, reflecting on the journey and roadmap to continued excellence.
• Since my arrival we have, with the help of a tremendous development team and alumni network, raised more than $5.2 million for the department to support existing and new student scholarships, professorships and programmatic resources. Of that, $3.8 million has been raised during our 75th Anniversary campaign that began in September. 

There have been challenges along the way. We’ve felt the weight of ongoing uncertainty in federal health care policy and higher education. But, in focusing on our values, we found new ways to grow, adapt and move forward with integrity and purpose. 

One of the most rewarding parts of my time here has been deepening connections with our extraordinary alumni — moments that, for me, culminated at our 75th Anniversary Celebration. 

Our students cite the impressive alumni roster as a main factor in choosing VCU Health Administration. Our alumni commitment to this department and our students — through mentorship, donations and ongoing engagement — has been inspiring. 

I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, from increased scholarship support to expanded visibility on the national stage. And of course, the faculty and staff in our department and all of my colleagues across the VCU College of Health Professions is extraordinary. I have been fortunate to work with so many talented professionals who, as a team, will continue to educate health professionals, lead innovations that drive the highest quality patient care and navigate through whatever comes next. And they are all in good hands under the leadership of College Dean Amy Darragh, Ph.D., who has quickly found her footing just a few months into her position here. I wish her the best. 

The department remains in good hands under the leadership of Saleema Karim, Ph.D. as your interim chair. It is a role she has held before, when I served as interim dean of the College. Dr. Karim is a remarkable scholar and respected colleague and I know she will continue to elevate our department.

Though I’m transitioning to a new opportunity, my dedication to health administration remains. I’ll see many of you at our annual conferences nationwide. I’m grateful for the friendships, new relationships, collaborations and shared vision that have defined my time at VCU.

Richmond and VCU is a special place, and I leave with full confidence in the strength of our department, our community and our shared future.

Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving as your chair.

Paula H. Song, Ph.D.
Richard M. Bracken Chair and professor