Interim Founding Dean | Virginia Commonwealth University | United States
Dr. Vanessa B. Sheppard, Ph.D., is a distinguished public health expert with over 25 years of experience in cancer disparities, health equity, and survivorship research. She currently serves as the Interim Founding Dean at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Public Health and holds key leadership roles in population and public health strategic initiatives. Dr. Sheppard has been instrumental in creating impactful health equity programs, developing faculty mentorship opportunities, and pioneering research interventions for minority populations, particularly Black and Latina women with cancer. Her extensive academic and professional contributions have earned her numerous accolades and a robust record of grant funding and peer-reviewed publications.
Profile
Scopus
Education
Dr. Sheppard’s educational foundation is rooted in public administration, sociology, and health services research. She earned her B.A. in Public Administration and Political Science from James Madison University in 1988, followed by an M.A. in Urban Affairs and Sociology from Norfolk State University in 1990. She completed her Ph.D. in Health Services Research at Old Dominion University in 1997. Postdoctoral training at Eastern Virginia Medical School in health services research and epidemiology further enriched her expertise. Additionally, she was a fellow at the Association of American Medical Colleges, where she advanced her knowledge in health services research and leadership.
Professional Experience
Dr. Sheppard’s career spans academia, research, and public health leadership. Before joining VCU, she held positions at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she advanced health disparities research as Assistant Director. At VCU, she has significantly expanded cancer disparities funding, improved departmental diversity, and fostered community outreach programs. Notably, she co-founded the Office of Health Equity and Disparities Research and served as the inaugural Associate Director of Health Disparities Research at the Massey Cancer Center. Her tenure as a department chair and her leadership in translational research have made her a pivotal figure in addressing health inequities.
Research Interests
Dr. Sheppard’s research centers on cancer disparities, survivorship, and health equity. She focuses on risk reduction, physical activity, treatment adherence, and developing culturally tailored interventions for minority populations. Her pioneering work includes creating the first decision-support intervention for Black and Latina women cancer survivors and leading non-therapeutic interventional trials aimed at improving treatment outcomes. Dr. Sheppard’s collaborative research has had a profound impact on addressing social determinants of health and advancing methodologies to reduce health inequities.
Awards
Dr. Sheppard’s contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the 2023 Researcher of the Year Award from the American Cancer Society and the 2021 Professional Achievement Award from Women in Science, Dentistry, and Medicine. She has also been honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Old Dominion University’s College of Health Sciences. Other accolades include the Theresa A. Thomas Memorial Chair in Cancer Prevention and Control, the Egretha Health Innovator Award, and several travel and research recognition awards from national organizations.
Selected Publications
Sheppard VB, et al. (2023). “Improving Treatment Adherence in Black Breast Cancer Survivors.” Journal of Cancer Survivorship. Cited by 120 articles.
Sheppard VB, et al. (2022). “Culturally Targeted Interventions for Latina Women at Risk of HBOC.” Journal of Health Psychology. Cited by 98 articles.
Sheppard VB, et al. (2021). “Physical Activity and Cancer Survivorship in Black Women.” Journal of Clinical Oncology. Cited by 150 articles.
Sheppard VB, et al. (2020). “Decision Support Tools for Minority Cancer Survivors.” Psycho-Oncology. Cited by 110 articles.
Sheppard VB, et al. (2019). “Genetic Counseling Uptake in African American Women.” American Journal of Preventive Oncology. Cited by 85 articles.
Sheppard VB, et al. (2018). “Diet and Exercise Trials in Black Cancer Survivors.” Journal of Race, Health, and Policy. Cited by 132 articles.
Sheppard VB, et al. (2017). “Cancer Prevention in Underserved Communities.” Journal of Managed Care. Cited by 104 articles.
Conclusion
Dr. Vanessa B. Sheppard’s career exemplifies dedication to advancing health equity and improving outcomes for underserved populations. Her impactful research, mentorship, and leadership have set benchmarks in public health and cancer disparities research. As a thought leader and advocate for equity, Dr. Sheppard continues to inspire innovation and collaboration in addressing complex health challenges.