RVA Poet Laureate

The search for Richmond’s next poet laureate is on. City officials recently launched the search for an artist who can bridge division in the city’s community through art.

When selected, the Richmond poet laureate will serve from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2025. The application period closes Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and have been a resident of Richmond or surrounding counties for the last decade. For more details, please visit www.rvapoetlaureate.org or contact Patty Parks at patricia.parks@rva.gov.

Winter Wander

The Valentine Museum’s Winter Wander, where guests throughout the Richmond region are invited to celebrate the winter holidays in the city’s Court End neighborhood, returns noon to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. The free event includes entry to historic sites such as The Valentine, The Valentine First Freedom Center, St. John’s Church, Mason’s Hall, the Virginia Executive Mansion, the John Marshall House, and the White House of the Confederacy at the American Civil War Museum. Topping off the festivities will be Clay Street as it comes alive with carriage rides, live music, crafts, and more.

New VCU pharmacy dean

Kelechi “K.C.” Ogbonna is the new dean of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Pharmacy, after serving six months as the school’s interim dean. Dr. Ogbonna previously led the Doctor of Pharmacy Program’s recruitment and student support operations, and served as associate dean of admissions and student services at the school.

“VCU has a strong track record of research, education and patient care, and I am honored to have the opportunity to continue that legacy,” Dr. Ogbonna said. “With Central Virginia poised to become a hub for pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing, we at VCU are preparing for a new era of workforce development and professional training.”

Tips for parents amidst children’s Tylenol and ibuprofen shortage

With a shortage in fever-reducing and pain-relieving liquid medicine for children in Richmond and surrounding areas, local health officials are suggesting ways to alleviate children’s medical conditions before they get worse.

The Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University advise parents and caregivers to not give adult medications or aspirin without instruction by a child’s doctor.

“An early spike in viral and respiratory illnesses has caused a high demand for children’s Tylenol and ibuprofen. We’re also seeing limitations in some prescription medications, such as amoxicillin and Tamiflu,” said Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU pediatrician Dr. Tiffany Kimbrough. “It’s not a cause for panic, but we do encourage parents and caregivers to be cautious about how they care for their children’s pain and fevers during this time.”

Instead, medical officials have stressed that children older than 3 months with mild fevers don’t necessarily need medicine, provided they otherwise feel OK and stay hydrated.

Meanwhile, children ages 2 and over may be able to switch to children’s chewable versions of these medicines, while older children (middle school age) can opt for swallowing pills. Discussions with the child’s pediatrician may be necessary to ensure the correct medicine type and dosage is used.

“Parents are also encouraged to consider non-medication methods for improving their children’s well-being, including cool washcloths on their forehead or behind their necks, cool baths, and regular hydration through either drinking or other solutions like Pedialyte or popsicles.”

The medicine shortage is expected to be resolved in a few weeks, as manufacturers and retailers expect supplies, according to the Children’s Hospital of Richmond medical advisory.

Facts & Faith with Dr. Fauci

Anthony Fauci, M.D., and local health and faith leaders will discuss vaccines and public health during A Facts & Faith Fridays, partnership between VCU Massey Cancer Center and the African American faith-based community on Dec. 16.

Dr. Fauci, 81, who will retire from his role as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the end of the year, became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic, battling back against misinformation — sometimes from the highest levels of government.

He challenged former President Trump on everything from the use of hydroxychloroquine to mask mandates, and his steadfast commitment to science made him a quasi-celebrity.

“As a public health official, I don’t want to see anyone suffer and die from COVID,” he SAID on a recent segment of NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “I don’t care if you’re a far-right Republican or a far-left Democrat, everybody deserves to have the safety of good public health and that’s not happening.”

Dr. Fauci said between 300 and 400 people are still dying from COVID every day, and the uptake of the latest vaccine booster has been less than 15 percent.

“I think the idea that forget it, this is over — it isn’t,” he said on “Meet the Press.”

Dr. Fauci will join Jeanine Guidry, associate professor in the Robertson School of Media and Culture at Virginia Commonwealth University, and others to discuss the state of COVID-19, vaccines and more.

Facts & Faith Fridays began in March 2020 as a weekly call led by Robert A. Winn, M.D., the director of Massey Cancer Center, to address the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on the Black community. The call has evolved to address higher rates of cancer and other health issues in diverse communities and continues to provide important COVID-19-related information.

The virtual discussion will run from 3 to 4 p.m. Those interested can register at www.bit.ly/3BhO9pH.

Catholic Diocese ordains Herrera on Saturday

Deacon Armando Herrera of Blessed Sacrament will be ordained as a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond this Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10:30 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart at 800 Cathedral Place.

A graduate of Roanoke Catholic High School, the Virginia Military Institute, the Theological College in Washington, D.C. and the Catholic University of America, Deacon Herrera was ordained a deacon in June.

Following the ordination, Deacon Herrera will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Benedict at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. As an ordained priest and co-sponsored by the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, Deacon Herrera will serve in the Diocese of Richmond for three years before being released for military service, where he will serve as a captain and chaplain.

The ordination Mass will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Richmond’s website at www.richmonddiocese.org/livestream and their Facebook page.

Compiled by George Copeland Jr.