Student Wellness

Wellness Events Calendar

This calendar hosts a variety of events offered through collaborative efforts by the VTC School of Medicine, the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, VT Hokie Wellness, and the Roanoke Graduate Student Association.

Wellness Weekly

Every Thursday, employees and students on the Roanoke campus receive this newsletter which includes resources, events, and wellness news.

Personal & Professional Wellness

Balancing academics, family, and personal needs can be challenging. This section provides resources and offers ideas.

Child Care Support

• Virginia Tech has partnered with caregiving facilities in Blacksburg and Roanoke.  

Quiet Spaces for Privacy and Reflection

• Wellness Room: located in room M216 on the 2nd floor of 2 Riverside. This space is equipped with a nap pod, yoga equipment, and a massage chair. Visitors to this space can enjoy the quiet, pray, practice mindfulness, or just reset.
• Lactation Spaces: There are three locations on the Health Sciences & Technology (HS&T) campus available to individuals who need a lacation space. 
  • Wellness Room: located in room M216 on the 2nd floor of 2 Riverside (VTCSOM side). Access details are available at the 2 or 4 Riverside reception desks.
  • Women’s Restroom: located on the 1st floor of 2 Riverside (FBRI side). Access details (including the entry code) are available at the 2 Riverside reception desk.
  • Room 1006: located on the 1st floor of 4 Riverside. Access details (including the entry code) are at the 2 or 4 Riverside reception desks.
• Sensory Space: Located in room 1006 of 4 Riverside, this versatile room serves as a dedicated space for sensory regulation and decompression, providing a calming environment for those who seek moments of tranquility and relief. 

 Nutritional Services

• VT offers a variety of resources through the Schiffert Health Center.
  • Nutritional Resources
  • HEART – Healthy Eating and Assessment Referral Team

 Relaxation & Study Break Ideas

• Getting Involved at VTCSOM – Student Clubs & Organizations
• 15 Scientific Ways to Relax
• Living and Studying in Roanoke – Explore Roanoke
• VTC Roanoke Favorites
• Volunteering Opportunities - The Hub

 SAFE at VT

• Virginia Tech is dedicated to providing a safe learning environment consistent with the Principles of Community.
  • VTCSOM Title IX Support
  • SAFE at VT

 Sleep

• Quality sleep is foundational to successful learning and personal well-being. Consider exploring some of these resources:
  • VT Hokie Wellness Sleep Resources
  • Carilion Clinic Sleep Tips Flier
  • Sleeping Well in the Digital Age - Georgetown Sleep Resource
  • Podcast to Help Fall Asleep

 Time Management

• Procrastination and/or just finding time to fit everything into a schedule can be a challenge in medical school. One tool to consider is the Fogg Behavior Model. Yet, there are many other strategies to consider. Reach out to ACES for additional suggestions and support.

Mental & Emotional Wellness

There are myriad resources to support students seeking the right connection(s) and/or tools for mental and/or emotional wellness. You are not alone. If you or someone you care about needs support, please reach out.  

Crisis Support Services

• Emergency services on and off campus
• Emergency After-Hours Support: CONNECT 540-981-8181

On-Campus Counseling & Psychiatry Services

• Counseling & Psychiatry Resources
• TimelyCare 24/7 Telemedicine
• Early Alert

VT Support Resources

• Wellness Room in 2 Riverside, M216
• Virginia Tech Chapter of Active Minds 
  (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)
• VT Student and Employee Distress Guide
• VT Cook Counseling Services
• VT Ombuds Office
• VT Hokie Wellness Programs
• HS&T Wellness Team

Additional Online Resoures & Support Resources 

• Find a Therapist
  • Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist
  • American Psychological Association Psychologist Locator
  • American Counseling Association Psychology Today Find A Therapist
  • American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy Therapist Locator    
• Hotlines & Support Services
  • Mental Health America of Virginia Warm Line
  • Virginia Safe Haven for Medical Professionals
•  Well-being for Medical Professionals                           
  • Preventing Medical Trainee Suicide
  • Podcasts for Wellbeing
  • AAMC Well-being in Academic Medicine Website
  • ACGME Well-being Website
  • Mindfulness Resources

Physical Wellness

Taking care of our bodies fosters a variety of personal health benefits. This section offers a list of resources and support services.

Student Health Services

• HS&T Campus Student Health Services 
• VT Schiffert Health Center
• Primary Care Physicians

Physical Health Facilities & Resources

• 2 Riverside 2nd floor Gym (M219)
  • The 2 Riverside gym is available to employees and students. Medical students automatically receive proxy access. FBRI and TBMH affiliated staff and students need to complete a helpdesk ticket to receive proxy access.
  • Individuals who would like to reserve a locker need to email the VTCSOM Office of Student Affairs. In the email include the locker number, and your name, phone number, and email address.
• Pickleball & Basketball Courts 
  • These courts are located behind 2 Riverside. Students can check-out equipment (e.g., paddles, balls) from the VTCSOM library during regular business hours. Adjacent to the courts visitors will find picnic tables, a foosball table, and a ping pong table. The pickleball net is also housed in the same area and can be rolled out.
• Roanoke County Carilion Wellness
  • All students enrolled on the HS&T campus have access to a Carilion Wellness membership through their recreational sports fee. Enrolled students seeking access to this service should contact Ali Cross at VT Rec Sports to activate their membership.
• Carilion Wellness Performance Locker (med students and Carilion employees) 
  • Located behind Roanoke Memorial hospital and open Monday through Friday, 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• VT Recreational Sports
• VT Venture Out
• Virginia Tech Nutritional Services

Off-Campus Resources

• Hiking in Roanoke and Surrounding Areas
• Roanoke Outside
• Roanoke Outdoor Adventures
• Roanoke County Parks
• Roanoke City Parks
• CDC Guidelines for Exercise

Academic Wellness

Connecting and engaging with VTCSOM academic resources supports optimal learning outcomes. This section lists a variety of academic wellness resources and services.

• Academic Counseling
• Disability Advocacy & Support Services
  
• Connecting with the Peer Educator Program
• Helpful Resources
  
  • Cool Places to Study Around Roanoke
  • Spots Around the HS&T Campus to Study

Financial Wellness

This section offers resources to help students and employees manage their budget.

• Hokie Perks
• Scholarships and Financial Aid
•  Budgeting and money-saving tips
• The Star Line Trolley

Interpersonal Wellness

Feeling connected, supported, and having a sense of belonging are foundational to academic success. To that end, please explore the services and resources in this section.

AAMC Resources:

• AAMC Beyond the White Coat Podcast
• AAMC Excellence in Academic Medicine

Roanoke Community Connections
 

VT Campus Enagement:

• Services for Students with Disabilities
• The Women's Center
• VT Community and Culture Center 
  • Ati:Wa:oki Indigenous Community Center
  • APIDA + Center
  • Black Cultural Center
  • El Centro - Hispanic and Latinx Cultural Center
  • Pride Center
• VT/VTC Student Life Events & Organizations
  • VTCSOM Clubs, Organizations and Student Interest Groups
  • Gobbler Connect
• VT Ombuds Office