Highlights
National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is commemorated every September 15 to October 15 to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across the U.S. The national observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded to a full month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Hispanics and Latinos bring incredible strength, resilience,…Read more
There are many professionals that fall under the broad umbrella of forensic science, ranging from laboratory analysts to crime scene specialists. At the Virginia Department of Health, we are proud to shine a spotlight on the dedicated experts within the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) – Medical Examiners, Medicolegal Death Investigators, Forensic Autopsy Technicians and support staff who specialize in the unique operations…Read more
Celebrating Community Health Workers: A Recap of National CHW Awareness Week 2026
Last week, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) proudly celebrated National Community Health Worker (CHW) Awareness Week, August 24–28, with a week of connection, recognition, learning, and celebration. This year’s theme, “Cultivating Community,” highlighted the essential role CHWs play in planting seeds of trust, building meaningful relationships, connecting individuals to resources, and helping communities thrive. Throughout the week, we were…Read more