Rate My Professor Joann Richardson

Dr. Joann Richardson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University, part of the College of Humanities and Sciences. She holds the position of Program Director for the Graduate Certificate in Health Behavior Coaching, which equips professionals with evidence-based motivational techniques and behavior-change strategies to help clients adopt healthy lifestyles, manage chronic conditions, and navigate the health care system. Previously, she served as interim chair of the department, Degree Program Coordinator for the Community Health Education concentration within the BS in Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science, and Track Coordinator for the Health Promotion and Education track of the PhD in Education program. Dr. Richardson also directs the Education Component of RAISE 5, a prevention program addressing HIV and substance abuse among African American college students at VCU. Her teaching responsibilities encompass Community Health Education, Health Promotion, and Health Care Management.

Dr. Richardson's academic interests focus on health disparities, the prevention, early detection, and treatment of chronic diseases in minority and underserved populations, including African Americans and Hispanics, with specific emphasis on HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and Alzheimer's disease risk factors. Notable publications include "Alzheimer's Disease Risk Reduction Health Coaching" published in The Gerontologist in 2024, co-authored with Faika Zanjani and others; "Uncovering myths and transforming realities among low-SES African-American men: Implications for reducing prostate cancer disparities" in the Journal of the National Medical Association in 2004; and contributions to studies on HIV knowledge and risk behaviors among older African American women and young African American women. She has secured funding through the 2019-2020 Alzheimer's Research Award Fund for health coaching interventions and received Quest Global Impact Awards to advance VCU's global priorities. Dr. Richardson leads service-learning courses partnering with communities in Jamaica, has represented VCU in a historic U.S. higher education delegation to Cuba in 2015 to examine public health issues, and directed projects in South Africa. As a Globe faculty fellow and affiliate faculty with the Center for Cultural Experiences in Prevention, she enhances culturally relevant health promotion and global health initiatives, delivering keynote addresses such as at the 2016-17 Quest Global Impact Awards ceremony.