Community-Engaged Learning
Integrating meaningful community service with structured learning to strengthen the knowledge and skills of EVMS students.
Community-Engaged Learning
Real-world experience
Our initiatives give students learning opportunities that cannot be experienced in a classroom alone. Learn more about how these opportunities will strengthen your foundational science knowledge as well as your clinical and problem-solving skills.
Make a tangible difference
Students remain with their initiative for four years.
During that time, students address priority needs of the Hampton Roads community.
Students, find Community-Engaged Learning initiatives and record your hours with EVMS Engage.
Community-Engaged Learning Initiatives
First Response
Aimed primarily at cardiac and stroke challenges in Eastern Virginia, these initiatives focus on first response.
Nutrition and Exercise
Diabetes and obesity are two prevalent issues in our region. Initiatives in this service pathway focus on nutrition and exercise.
Health Equity
Initiatives in this pathway focus on those who do not readily have access to healthcare.
First Response
Aimed primarily at cardiac and stroke challenges in Eastern Virginia, these initiatives focus on first response.
Nutrition and Exercise
Diabetes and obesity are two prevalent issues in our region. Initiatives in this service pathway focus on nutrition and exercise.
Health Equity
Initiatives in this pathway focus on those who do not readily have access to healthcare.
First Response
Aimed primarily at cardiac and stroke challenges in Eastern Virginia, these initiatives focus on first response.
Nutrition and Exercise
Diabetes and obesity are two prevalent issues in our region. Initiatives in this service pathway focus on nutrition and exercise.
Health Equity
Initiatives in this pathway focus on those who do not readily have access to healthcare.
Older Adults and Individuals with Chronic Illnesses
Older adults represent a rapidly growing demographic in Eastern Virginia. Initiatives in this pathway focus on older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Mental Health
Close to 20% of adults in Virginia having been diagnosed with some type of mental health condition and approximately 5% are living with serious mental health condition.
Global Health Equity
Earn a Spanish Bilingual Clinical Certification with Medical Spanish or a French Clinician Certification with Medical French, or work with local refugees in Refugee Health.
Older Adults and Individuals with Chronic Illnesses
Older adults represent a rapidly growing demographic in Eastern Virginia. Initiatives in this pathway focus on older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Mental Health
Close to 20% of adults in Virginia having been diagnosed with some type of mental health condition and approximately 5% are living with serious mental health condition.
Global Health Equity
Earn a Spanish Bilingual Clinical Certification with Medical Spanish or a French Clinician Certification with Medical French, or work with local refugees in Refugee Health.
Older Adults and Individuals with Chronic Illnesses
Older adults represent a rapidly growing demographic in Eastern Virginia. Initiatives in this pathway focus on older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Mental Health
Close to 20% of adults in Virginia having been diagnosed with some type of mental health condition and approximately 5% are living with serious mental health condition.
Global Health Equity
Earn a Spanish Bilingual Clinical Certification with Medical Spanish or a French Clinician Certification with Medical French, or work with local refugees in Refugee Health.
Meet our staff
Maryanne Gathambo, MPH
Maryanne Gathambo serves as the director of Community-Engaged Learning. Maryanne is a graduate of the joint EVMS/ODU MPH program and currently pursuing her PhD in Organizational Leadership. She hopes this will bring to a pinnacle all her experiences and her love for academia and research in her dissertation on cultural humility in community engagement.
Read More
Joseph Brown, BS
Joseph Brown is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a degree in biology, with an emphasis on research, and is pursuing continuing education classes for management and event planning. He hopes to use this experience to elevate the Community-Engaged Learning department to new heights and expand their work in his community.
Read More
Joshua Edwards, MPH
Joshua Edwards serves as the Assistant Director of Community-Engaged Learning, focusing his efforts on minority health disparities and inequality in Hampton Roads. Joshua has been part of the EVMS community for over eight years, previously working at the Strelitz Diabetes Institute and EVMS-Sentara Healthcare Analytics and Delivery Science Institute.
Read More
Alena Stewart, MEd
Alena Stewart joined the Community-Engaged Learning team over a year ago and was instrumental in setting up the newly acquired and renovated CEL warehouse that stores the equipment and supplies for all the 19 Initiatives within CEL. Alena also maintains EVMS Engage platforms as CEL continues to build systems and structure to make sure all our community engagement activities are fulfilled.
Read More
Emily Terifay, MLIS
Emily Terifay serves as the Programs Outreach Coordinator for the Community Engaged Learning Department. After completing her Bachelor’s in Business Administration Management from Old Dominion University, she pursued her Master’s in Library and Information Science (MLIS) at Clarion University. She has a passion for reading, learning and relaxing in what little free time she has.
She excels at research and is proficient in literary reviews. Feel free to stop by her office if you need help in either area or just want to talk.
Read More
Chrisney Pettit
Chrisney Pettit has served in various customer service and training roles that have ignited her passion for serving others and advocating for those who may need more resources to succeed. She is driven by her unquenchable thirst for knowledge, graduating from The College of William & Mary with a degree in Psychology and Health Sciences, and currently continuing her education at ODU’s Master of Public Health program. With her MPH and through her service to EVMS and the HOPES Free Clinic, she intends to continue serving others and promoting the education and well-being of her community members. If you have a free moment, stop by to talk with Ms. Pettit about her adorable dog, what she’s been cooking, where she’s been hiking, or the next race she’s running!
Read More