Walk the Walk 2025: VCU Health welcomes new house staff
This month, over 250 new physicians began the next step in their medical careers.

Incoming residents pose for a photo at an orientation session (Photo by Arda Athman, School of Medicine)
Teeming with excitement, dressed in color coordinated t-shirts and ready to begin their residency programs, the newest class of VCU Health interns arrived at the MCV Campus on Monday, June 16.
The cohort comprises 256 residents from across the country, including graduates of George Washington University, Wake Forrest University and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth University. Fifty-seven residents will continue to serve the commonwealth after coming from Virginia institutions, and VCU welcomed 36 international trainees, with home countries ranging from Canada and the Bahamas to Pakistan and Japan.
VCU's residency programs are also welcoming many familiar faces, with 36 Class of 2025 graduates. Janet Atere, M.D., a School of Medicine alum joining the Department of Pediatrics residency program, said returning to campus feels like coming back home, with a twist.
“It feels wonderful to be back,” Atere said. “At the same time, there’s newness. You’re going to have a different perspective than what you had as a student. It’s new and scary and exciting all at once.”
Brian Aboff, M.D., senior associate dean for graduate medical education, greeted the new cohort on the first morning of orientation and offered some tips for success during training. He emphasized the need for residents to pay attention to the details and take care of themselves throughout their programs.
“Keep your eye on the prize, which is to become the best doctor you can be and take good care of your patients,” Aboff advised. “Medicine is a team sport, make new friends, develop good practice habits and be curious.”
See a photo gallery from this year's Walk the Walk
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The School of Medicine communications team is always looking to highlight student success, faculty achievement, cutting-edge research and innovative initiatives around the MCV Campus. If you have an idea for a story, please submit your pitch to laura.ingles@vcuhealth.org.