Student Health Oversight Committee

Primary Goals of the Student Health Program and SHOC

1. Students know where to go for care – Medical students receive clear guidance on how to access both routine outpatient care and emergency services when needed.
2. Exposure pathways exist 24/7 – Defined processes are in place for reporting and managing occupational exposures, including needlestick or other clinical incidents, at any time.
3. Immunizations are monitored across the learning continuum – Required vaccinations, screenings, and documentation are tracked from pre-matriculation through all phases of the curriculum, including internal clinical sites, the VA setting, external rotations, and through graduation.
4. Services remain accessible regardless of location – Students can access guidance and services in real time and through established communication channels, even when away from campus or participating in external or international experiences.
5. Confidentiality is protected in accordance with FERPA – Student health information and related processes are managed in compliance with FERPA, ensuring privacy and maintaining a clear separation between health services and academic evaluation and advising.
6. Communication is consistent, documented, and FERPA compliant – Information about student health services, requirements, and processes is communicated at regular intervals, with confirmation of receipt documented for each VTCSOM medical student, in alignment with FERPA protections.

VTCSOM Student Health Program Components

The Student Health Program is a coordinated framework that ensures students have reliable access to health services, regulatory compliance, and support throughout their medical education journey. This integrated approach ensures health services, compliance tracking, and support resources are centrally coordinated, student-centered, and aligned with curricular and accreditation requirements.

The program includes four core components:

• Student Health Clinic – Provides access to routine/urgent personal health care services for students.
• Immunization Compliance – Ensures required vaccinations, screenings, and documentation are tracked and maintained across all phases of the curriculum and clinical rotations.
• Exposure Management – Establishes clear processes for reporting and managing needlestick injuries and other occupational exposures encountered during clinical training.
• Counseling Services – Provides confidential access to mental health and counseling support to promote student well-being and resilience.

Student Health Program and Student Health Oversight Committee (SHOC) Responsibilities

The Student Health Program and SHOC provide a centrally-coordinated framework designed to ensure reliable access to student health services, systematic monitoring of immunization and regulatory compliance, structured occupational exposure management, and protection of confidentiality across all phases of medical education. The SHOC provides institutional oversight of this program, ensuring alignment with curricular operations, accreditation requirements, technical standards, and institutional governance. Through periodic review, the Committee supports continuous quality improvement and maintains centralized accountability for student health and safety processes.

Specifically, the Committee addresses the following areas:

• Immunization and Screening Compliance Monitoring - Monitor compliance trends across all phases of the curriculum, including internal clinical sites, VA settings, and external rotations.
• Documentation and Regulatory Alignment - Review compliance rates and documentation processes to ensure consistency, equity, and alignment with accreditation requirements and technical standards.
• Exposure Management Oversight - Evaluate occupational exposure reporting pathways, response protocols, accessibility, and 24/7 coverage processes.
• Communication and Student Awareness - Assess strategies to ensure required health and safety information is distributed regularly and receipt is documented for all students.
• Access to Health and Mental Health Services - Review service accessibility to ensure students can obtain routine care, urgent care guidance, and counseling support regardless of location.
• Confidentiality and Privacy Safeguards - Monitor processes to ensure appropriate separation between student health services and academic evaluation.
• System Gaps and Continuous Improvement - Identify operational gaps, risks, or inefficiencies and recommend process improvements to strengthen coordination and accountability.
• Follow-Up and Action Tracking - Review progress on prior recommendations and evaluate outcomes of implemented improvements.
• Annual Institutional Reporting - Provide an annual summary report to the Medical Curriculum Committee, the Medical Student Performance and Promotion Committee, and the Dean to ensure alignment with curricular governance, institutional oversight, and accreditation standards.

Student Health Oversight Committee Members

• Leslie LaConte, PhD, Associate Dean for Educational Affairs (Co-Chair)
• Amanda Murchison, MD, Associate Dean for Student Affairs (Co-Chair)
• Tracy Jones, MHA, Assistant Registrar
• Chris Wise, MS, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs (Virginia Tech Student Affairs Liaison)
• Student Health Services representatives (Carilion Community Care)
  • Andrea Lough, MD (Carilion Community Care) 
  • Kelvin Palmer (Clinical Practice Manager) 
  • Robin Hamlin (Regional Practice Manager)
• Occupational Health Liaison (Carilion Clinic)
  • Nicole Hale, MS, RN (Vice President for Occupational Health) 
  • Sara Hatman, RN (Director, Occupational Health)
• Schiffert Health Center Liaison (Virginia Tech)
  • Kanitta Charoensiri, DO, MBA (Director, Schiffert Health Center) 
  • Rhonda Mitcham, CPA (Associate Director, Finance/Administration) 
  • Jocelyn Hotter, PMP (Wellness Operations Coordinator)
• Emily Holt Foerst, PhD, Mental Health Services Coordinator
• Christie Neal, EdS, MEd, Disability/Accommodations Coordinator
• Sharon Barrett, CPA, MACIS, Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration
• Leanna Blevins, PhD, Associate Vice President for Health Sciences Academic Affairs/HS&T Campus

Governance and Committee Structure

The Student Health Program is overseen by the Student Health Oversight Committee (SHOC), ensuring centralized accountability for student health, safety, and regulatory compliance. The Committee includes representatives from relevant student health, safety, and support functions across VTCSOM and Carilion Clinic, and establishes the structure and processes necessary to align health services directly with the curricular and educational programs, as well as accreditation requirements.

The Committee is co-chaired by the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs, who provides operational oversight, ensures alignment with technical standards, and integrates the program with curricular and educational objectives. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs also serves as co-chair, contributing expertise in student engagement, communication, and access to services, ensuring the program remains student-centered, accessible, and responsive. Oversight and guidance are provided by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education, who ensures the program is aligned with curriculum priorities, regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards. This structure allows the Committee to maintain centralized oversight, regulatory compliance, and confidentiality, while leveraging the complementary perspectives of education and student affairs leadership. Figure 1 depicts the relationship between student health programs, SHOC, and VTCSOM governance committees.

Student health services supporting VTCSOM students are delivered through multiple clinical entities, including the Virginia Tech student health system, Carilion Clinic occupational health services, and the student health clinic. Each entity retains responsibility for the clinical management of students and the maintenance of confidential health records within its scope of care. The Student Health Oversight Committee (SHOC) provides oversight of the systems, policies, communication processes, and aggregate data that support student health and safety across these services. The Committee coordinates policies, communication, and compliance monitoring to ensure consistent access to care, regulatory alignment, and protection of confidentiality. SHOC does not review individual student health records, diagnoses, or treatment information, and no identifiable health information is shared with members involved in academic evaluation or promotion decisions.