Hybrid Ph.D. Program in Health-Related Sciences graduates fuel innovation in health care

In an era when health systems, academic institutions and community programs alike are turning to data to inform decisions and improve outcomes, VCU’s Ph.D. Program in Health Related Sciences has carved out a national reputation for equipping professionals to use research and analysis to drive health innovation.

Now entering its 27th year, the program is enjoying robust health and strong momentum under the leadership of Stacey Reynolds, Ph.D., herself a 2007 graduate. 

“We’re thriving,” she said. “By almost any metric, I think we’re the best hybrid Ph.D. program for working health professionals in the country.”

Housed in the College of Health Professions, the program is the second-oldest of its kind and currently holds a Program of Merit designation, an external recognition from the Association of Doctoral Programs in Health Sciences awarded to only a handful of peer programs nationwide. Further distinguishing it is the hybrid format, which allows working professionals from across the country and globe to earn a research doctorate without uprooting their families. =

Unlike fully residential programs that demand physical presence and often a career hiatus, VCU’s program combines the rigor of an R1 research institution with that flexible delivery model. Students spend just two one-week residencies each year at the Richmond campus, forming close-knit cohorts during those immersive sessions. The rest of their coursework is completed online over six-month semesters using a thoughtfully paced rotation system.

“Students don’t have to tackle all their courses at once,” said Reynolds, program director and professor of occupational therapy. “They rotate through classes in a manageable sequence that allows them to stay on top of their professional and personal commitments while progressing through a full-time doctoral curriculum.”

Helping health-related professionals advance 

The forward-looking program is specifically designed for professionals already established in many of the health-related fields found within CHP, which gives doctoral students a non-clinical avenue to dive deeper into research, evaluation and systems-level thinking.

“Students come to us with expertise in their discipline,” Reynolds said. “What we provide is the research foundation to help them use data to inform health care decisions – whether that’s studying outcomes, designing interventions, analyzing population health trends or evaluating whether a new program is having the intended impact.”

While many graduates pursue faculty roles or senior leadership positions, others go on to influence policy or run health departments. Across the board, they are driving innovation in health systems. One alum led the national suicide prevention agency. Another helped pass legislation in Virginia to protect older adults. “They’re improving health across sectors: academic, nonprofit, government, military – you name it,” Reynolds said.

Applying research to pressing topics

Currently a certified dementia practitioner with VCU Health’s GUIDE Center for Dementia Care, Cate Newbanks-Hawks aims to align her Ph.D. research with the center’s program model as supplemental intervention. She designed the “Forget Me Knot Cafe,” a community-based initiative that uses evidence-based and emerging interventions to reduce depression and anxiety among people with dementia and their care partners. 

“This research aims not only to assess the effectiveness of the intervention model, but also to establish a replicable, community-informed framework for supporting dementia care through scalable, person-centered innovation,” said Newbanks-Hawks, adding this has been her first academic opportunity to design a program grounded in theory, implementation science and a multidisciplinary approach. 

“In public service especially, the focus is often on rapid response: Solutions must be implemented quickly, sometimes at the expense of thoughtful planning or scientific grounding,” she said. “This experience has equipped me with a structured framework for implementation, one that is both thorough and efficient. I now feel more prepared to design impactful, responsive programs.”

For Hannah Loh, a senior occupational therapist in Singapore, that will mean applying what she is learning in research design and statistics to her work with children and adults with neurodevelopmental conditions. She expects her research to focus on children with ADHD, specifically their sensory processing and motor skill needs. 

“Pursuing a Ph.D. is akin to running a full marathon. It’s a challenging journey filled with both obstacles and rewards,” said Loh, who is also balancing responsibilities as a wife and mother. “It requires a deep commitment to reaching the finishing line.”

Outcomes, impact and future vision

To date, the program has produced more than 150 graduates and boasts a retention rate of 70%, well above the national average for Ph.D. programs in health sciences. 

Newbanks-Hawks entered the program at age 64 and plans to complete her dissertation at age 68. “I am driven by the belief that disrupting ageism means continuing to seek opportunities to grow, learn and make meaningful contributions - regardless of age,” she said. “Through this program, I’ve found not only academic rigor, but also a deep sense of belonging and shared purpose.”

VCU’s cohort model, combined with strong mentorship and interdisciplinary exposure, helps students stay motivated and connected.

“Our faculty are active researchers with hundreds of combined publications and real-world funding experience from top national agencies,” Reynolds said. “They’re not just teaching theory; they’re doing the work our students want to learn.”

For Loh, the faculty engagement has been critical to helping her progress, adding that she approached the journey by redefining what it takes to earn a Ph.D.: Perseverance, humility and honesty, and devotion.

“Every educator in the program is dedicated to student success,” said Loh, who also relies on family, mentors and colleagues to keep her focused. “I cannot overstate my appreciation for the incredible support system that has sustained me.”

At the same time, students aren’t limited to supporting and expanding their advisor’s academic interests. “This is a program that allows you to own your research,” said Reynolds, who personally chose VCU over a more traditional Ph.D. path because it gave her the freedom to explore her interests in sensory processing and stress in children. “That early ownership of my topic let me become the national expert in my field. I don’t know that I would have gotten that from a traditional program.”

The cohort model contributes to the support network by fostering a sense of community and mutual accountability. “We’ve supported each other academically and personally, maintaining strong connections through regular communication and collaborative learning,” Newbanks-Hawks said. “There’s a shared commitment within our group to ensure that each of us succeeds and crosses the proverbial finish line together.”

Looking ahead, Reynolds sees alumni engagement as an important strategy, as a stronger network would build mentorship opportunities, job pipelines and even financial support for future students. “We have graduates doing extraordinary work all over the world,” she said. “I want our current students to benefit from that community and for alums to feel invested in the ongoing success of the program.”

Ultimately, the goal is to grow both strategically and sustainably. “We’re at capacity now,” Reynolds said. “We fill our cohorts before deadlines and often have waitlists. I’d love to expand our faculty, strengthen internal resources and keep positioning this program as the top choice for working professionals who want to become leaders in health science research.”

By Kyra Newman