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DR. ALICE COOMBS
Pursuing character and integrity
JAY PAUL
By Holly Rodriguez The rap group N.W.A. put Compton, California, on the map in the 1980s with their explosive debut album. Around the same time, Richard Williams was training his two young daughters, Venus and Serena, to become tennis legends. Twenty years before the world’s a ention was turned to the Southern California city by those icons, Alice Coombs grew up there with her parents and five siblings. She developed an interest in learning how the human body works and, as a medical student at UCLA doing rotations through area hospitals, became frustrated with the health care disparities she witnessed in her community. Decades later, that combination of interests led Coombs to becoming the first Black woman president of the Medical Society of Virginia, a membership and advocacy organization for medical doctors. Elected in October 2023, she is only the fourth female president of the century-old nonprofit and the first person to have served as president of two state medical societies (she led the Massachuse s Medical Society in 2010). Coombs says she has always been guided by her mother’s encouragement. “She told me that I was going to grow up to be something special, that ‘You can make it if you try.’” As a young doctor, Coombs originally le her home state to pursue a residency in internal medicine at Massachuse s General Hospital in Boston. As her career continued, she also was advocating to improve the profession, leading American Medical Association efforts to eliminate health care disparities and improve diversity, as well as influencing health care legislation. She joined the Virginia Commonwealth University School
of Medicine in 2017 and has chaired its Department of Anesthesiology since 2021. Part of the key to her success, she says, is looking for the qualities she most admired in her mother when hiring for her team. “My mother had character and was a woman of integrity — everybody in the neighborhood trusted her,” she says. She a ributes her strong work ethic and
motivation to do well and pursue excellence to her mother, as well. Coombs plans to use the same principles as president of MSV to focus on “best care.” She explains, “Best care encompasses so many things. I’ll be looking at the impact of legislation on the practice of medicine — and I mean every aspect of it, thinking of patients first.”
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VICTORIA BORGES
diate or long-term care in their area and can be treated by mobile crisis response teams — behavioral health professionals trained to minimize risk during a mental health crisis — in the commonwealth. In November 2023, for example, Virginia handled 8,348 calls for people seeking behavioral health assistance, compared to fewer than 6,000 calls per month in 2022. The number of mobile crisis teams responding to 988 calls has increased to 96, with a goal of 140, slated for the system’s expansion this year. In a move to address the cost barrier of mental health access, last summer Youngkin signed House Bill 2216 and Senate Bill 1347 into law, which require commercial insurance coverage for mobile crisis response teams and residential crisis stabilization units. “All of that is a great start, but many
challenges remain, such as a workforce shortage,” Cruser says, noting Virginia has consistently ranked worst for access to trained medical professionals. “If we don’t have trained staff, we can’t get there.” Though many of the examples that highlight the crisis have been among adults, children are also majorly affected. “People haven’t been acknowledging mental health concerns with youth,” says Cat Atkinson, policy analyst with Voices for Virginia’s Children. “Historically, there is not enough language in the legislative budget/bills to address the specific developmental needs of young people,” she says. Since the pandemic, Richmond Public Schools has seen an increase in reports of suicidal ideation, self-harm and more. According to a report on mental health care partnerships in RPS from
June 2023, references to cyberbullying, potential self-harm and violence on student’s school devices rose from 2,696 in the 2020-21 school year to 4,470 in the 2022-23 school year, while suicide risk assessments rose from 150 to 516 and Child Protective Services referrals rose from 250 to 369 in the same period. These reports highlight the variety of social and mental health issues for youth revealed since the pandemic. “In 2021, 38% of Virginia high schoolers during the past 12 months felt sad or hopeless every day,” Atkinson says, noting figures from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The data and stories of students highlight that the need goes beyond depression. They do not have the support they need. It’s just really come to light.”
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cross the Richmond region are small shopping meccas for home decor — all hip spaces to spend an a ernoon on the hunt for inspiring design finds. We dispatched writers around the region to scout out treasures in locally owned home design and home furnishing shops and galleries.
VINTAGE CHARM IN ASHLAND
Located about 15 miles north of Richmond, the town of Ashland was developed in the 1840s by the railroad as a resort stop. Today, visitors come for its shops, restaurants, a historic inn, a brewery and more.
CARAVATI’S, 201 England St., a familyowned architectural salvage firm housed in the historic Loving Ford Motor Co. building, is filled with salvaged items that are perfect for a home restoration or remodeling project. THE THRILL OF THE HUNT, 315 England St., specializes in restored and upcycled furniture and home decor. The shop carries Annie Sloan furniture painting products and offers monthly DIY painting workshops, custom painting and interior design services. HICKORY CREEK ANTIQUES, 427 England St., is a charming antique mall with more than 40 local vendors. CHANGING REINS, 102 S. Railroad Ave.,
LEFT: JUSTIN CHESNEY; RIGHT: COURTESY NEST
is an equestrian-focused boutique and consignment shop. Its selection of horsethemed gifts and home accessories includes high-end artwork, throw pillows, drinkware and stationery.
THE SHOP AT 112, 112 Thompson St., is a trove of classic and vintage furniture and home decor from local retailers. TREASURES ON THE NI, with its curated collection of chinoiserie, luxe animal prints and all things rattan and wicker, is a grand-millennial’s dream.
RE-FUNK-IT, 120 Hanover Ave., is a smallbatch retailer of handcrafted art with a whimsical selection of gifts ranging from fun papier-mache animal busts to colorful felted napkin rings.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch at HOMEMADES BY SUZANNE, 102 N. Railroad Ave.; FOODIO, 100 N. Railroad Ave.; or IRON HORSE RESTAURANT, 100 S. Railroad Ave. For a sweet treat, stop by SUGAR FIX BAKERY, 105 England St. —Kyra Molinaro
HIDDEN TREASURES
Richmond’s South Side is more than a destination for stunning river views. There are many more treasures there to entice you across the water, including unique home decor stores and galleries. Two must-see shops are in the STRATFORD HILLS SHOPPING CENTER, 2833 Hathaway Road. ARTSPACE is a light-filled gallery displaying works of art in myriad media. The gallery’s exhibits focus on local culture and interests, offering pieces by Richmond-area artists in price ranges suitable for both first-time buyers and experienced art collectors. Next door, FURBISH THRIFT, which benefits local animal charities, is chockfull of traditional vintage pieces ranging from wood and gilt mirrors to secretary desks. There are plenty of gems among the donations that would add a classic touch to any room. While at the shopping center, you can stop for a bite to eat without moving the car, dining options include GALLEY KITCHEN, NATALIE’S TASTE OF LEBANON and ROCK FALLS TAVERN. Another world awaits at MUSE ME DECOR, 4806 Forest Hill Ave., where carved antiques with Eastern influences rule. There’s also crystals, local art and vintage books in a space that exudes tranquility.
For a contemporary perspective, head to LADIFF, 1011 Commerce Road. Forever embracing modernity, LaDiff has a sleek and luxurious ambience, incorporating comfort and style without sacrificing aesthetic.
ART WORKS, 320 Hull St., showcases works by local and international artists spanning the spectrum in both genre and medium in its four galleries. In addition to the galleries, Art Works provides studio spaces for rent where artists can create and sell their work. Continue your journey to NEST, 3404 Semmes Ave., where owners Mark Robertson and Marcelo Outeiro offer not only a collection of antique and vintage goods ranging from perfume bottles to barware and artwork, but a distinctive experience, as well. Their inventory is a vintage decor lover’s dream. —Evan A. Morgan
DESTINATION DESIGN
A former industrial area, the revitalized Sco’s Addition district is a go-to spot for all things hip, including breweries and popular restaurants. It’s also a burgeoning design destination.
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