The Population Health Center
Introducing the Population Health Center: The Intersection of Academics and Practice
Making Health Visible in Northern Virginia and Beyond
A Prime Location for Public Health in Northern Virginia
As the transdisciplinary health college at the fastest growing and most diverse Research I university in Virginia, the College of Health and Human Services is located at the heart of the most dynamic region in the country. With leading public health, policymaking, and community service organizations as our neighbors, the College is ideally located for researching, teaching, influencing, and improving public health.
Prioritizing Health and Well-Being in Northern Virginia
Area employers, legislators, and K-12 educators look to the College to ensure an environment that prioritizes equitable health and well-being for our growing population. That is why we work closely with local school systems, policymakers, employers, and chambers of commerce to understand their challenges in keeping Northern Virginia healthy. We help stakeholders stay ahead of public health concerns with innovative initiatives like the Mason and Partners Clinics, the Music and Memory initiative, and school nutrition studies.
Building Tomorrow’s Public Health Workforce
The College is well-positioned to meet Northern Virginia’s increased demand for a career-ready health workforce reflecting the diversity of the region. The College enrolls nearly 3,000 students in its nationally-recognized offerings each year, preparing them for careers in clinical care, social services, administration, policy, and public health. The College also extends its knowledge and expertise by training health professionals through workforce development initiatives such as the Northern Virginia Area Health Education Center (NVAHEC) and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT).
Funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention (NEPQR) and Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) programs—$6.1 million to date—fuels our initiatives with remote and underserved populations, preparing the next generation to serve in the areas of highest need (HRSA No. D09HP26955, T94HP31874, D11HP29861, UK1HP31716). In addition, the College partners with more than 450 organizations such as large health care systems, insurers, assisted living facilities, and telemedicine services for hands-on student experiences.
This wealth of natural resources and commitment to population health underscores the College’s role in making health visible in Northern Virginia and beyond as we become the first college of public health in the Commonwealth