Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action

The Virginia Climate and Health Education Collaborative (VCHEC)  is part of Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action , a statewide organization working to protect health by tackling climate change . In honor of Earth Day 2025 , we’re asking for your support to help VCHEC host our largest educational conference for health professional students — ever! VCHEC is building a movement of health professionals — students, doctors, nurses, public health workers, and educators — who are ready to lead on climate and health . We create spaces where students and trainees can learn, engage, and collaborate  — because when healthcare leaders understand the link between a changing climate and our communities’ health, they can drive real, lasting change. Why climate and health? Why now? The health impacts of climate change are here — and growing. Health professionals are trusted messengers  who see the effects firsthand. Their voices matter in the fight for a healthier future. Here’s why: Extreme heat  causes heat stroke, dehydration, and worsens chronic conditions. Air pollution  from fossil fuels contributes to asthma, heart disease, and early death. Floods, fires, and hurricanes  displace communities and strain healthcare systems. Vector-borne diseases  like Lyme and West Nile are expanding with warmer temperatures. Mental health  suffers from disaster trauma, displacement, and climate anxiety. Health professionals can lead , inform policy, and inspire action like few others. Just look at Dr. Lena Bichell. A UVA pediatric resident, Lena helped launch UVA’s first climate and health elective, founded a chapter of Medical Students for a Sustainable Future, and continues to lead. Her journey shows how education + support = climate leadership. In just a few years, VCHEC has: Hosted Virginia’s only annual Climate and Health Summit  (since 2021) Launched the state’s first climate and health courses  at UVA and Shenandoah Integrated climate-health education  into medical and nursing schools Funded student-led sustainability and public health initiatives Built a growing, statewide network of committed health professionals This year’s goal: Raise $10,000  to fund our next Climate and Health Summit — a one-of-a-kind gathering for students, educators, and health professionals across Virginia. Every $250 gift sponsors a student’s full participation  — helping them attend, learn, and bring their passion back to their communities. And thanks to a 100% donor match , your impact is doubled — we’ll reach our goal if we can raise just $5000  together. Invest in VCHEC. Invest in climate action. Invest in community health. Thank you for standing with us. Students and trainees  interested in attending this fall’s VCHEC conference (date TBD), please email us at info@virginiaclinicians.org . Want updates from VCCA? Sign up at virginiaclinicians.org/join . Donations to VCCA go through Virginia Organizing, our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.