Articles by Maggie Christ
Farnese Motto gravitated to public health advocacy at a young age
At about four years old, traveling with her father from her home country of Cameroon to Ivory Coast, Farnese Motto noticed several differences right away. There was no litter on the ground and the air seemed cleaner. Traffic was quieter and the roads were in good condition. These differences in the environment were stark, even for someone so young. She asked her father why it was different. What if they could bring their home from Yaoundé, Cameroon to Abidjan, Ivory Coast?
VCU introduces a public health minor for fall 2026
As theVirginia Commonwealth University School of Public Health enters its third year, it is expanding its course offerings for undergraduate students. The school’s new public health minor will be ideal for students studying in a variety of disciplines, such as clinical radiation science, dental hygiene, pharmaceutical science, psychology, sociology, and urban and regional studies.
VCU Center on Society and Health partners to help U.S. cities close life expectancy gaps
The project, “CitiesLEAD: Increasing Life Expectancy through Collective Action and Data,” will ensure that member cities in the Big Cities Health Coalition can not only access appropriate life expectancy data, but also transform the data into action. In some U.S. cities, lifespans can vary by more than 30 years between neighborhoods, a disparity driven by structural racism, residential segregation, disinvestment and inequities in economic opportunity, housing, employment and community assets.
VCU launches the Office of Medicaid Evaluation
The OME officially launched on July 1 this year, but VCU’s collaboration with the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services has long been extensive. Since 2016, a team of VCU researchers has worked closely with DMAS to evaluate policy and program changes in treating substance use disorder, using managed care to provide long-term services, expanding the breadth and duration of coverage for Medicaid populations, and supporting maternal and child health initiatives.
The opioid epidemic in Virginia: 2,000+ saved lives, $5.2B in possible savings
This month, VCU’s Center on Society and Health partnered with the Virginia Department of Health to release a third round of data via the updated Virginia Opioid Cost Data Tool, which now provides visual, geographic insights into opioid-related deaths. Among takeaways from the newly analyzed 2023 data: 70% of drug-related deaths in Virginia were preventable in 2023, and evidence-based opioid care could help prevent more. Harm reduction centers across the state reversed as many as 2,085 overdoses.
Master of Public Health program expands again with concentration in health communication
For the third time this year, Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Public Health is expanding its Master of Public Health program – this time, with a degree concentration in health communication. Already in 2025, the school introduced a concentration in health policy, and it announced – starting in the spring 2026 semester – a fully online version of its M.P.H. program that can provide greater flexibility for students. The new concentration also will debut in the upcoming spring semester.
VCU School of Public Health to offer online M.P.H. degree
Starting in the upcoming spring 2026 semester, Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Public Health will offer a fully online version of its Master of Public Health program that allows students to earn the degree at a self-directed pace. The asynchronous option, which covers the same 45-credit curriculum as the traditional degree program, is suited to working professionals who are balancing academic, personal and job responsibilities.
VCU School of Public Health hosts inaugural lecture in memory of late professor
David Wheeler, Ph.D., served in the Department of Biostatistics at VCU for 13 years, beginning as an assistant professor in 2011 and rising to the rank of full professor in 2023. He was also a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control research program at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. Wheeler died in June 2024 after a lengthy and courageous battle with brain cancer.
VCU and VCU Health welcome scholars from Kazakhstan for hands-on clinical learning
Two clinical scholars from Kazakhstan, (left) Nurzhan Klyshbekov, M.D., and (right) Assel Sadykova, M.D., began their 10-month stay at VCU and VCU Health as part of the Bolashak International Scholarship Program in January. Askar Chukmaitov, Ph.D., an associate professor at VCU's School of Public Health, leads the program. (Contributed photo) By Maggie Christ Two clinical scholars from Kazakhstan are in Richmond for a 10-month stay as part of the Bolashak International Scholarship Program.
Chatbots, avatars and more: VCU researchers delve into AI’s potential in public health
Co-authors from the School of Public Health include alum Viktor Clark, Ph.D., now at University of Rochester; Vanessa Sheppard, Ph.D., professor and founding interim dean of the school; and Emmanuel Taylor, Dr.PH., professor of health policy.
VCU receives $6 million from Department of Defense to study treatment for long-term concussion symptoms
The four-year study related to mTBI – mild traumatic brain injury – focuses on whether a treatment called heart rate variability biofeedback can help veterans and service members suffering from ongoing post-concussion symptoms. The research will test HRV biofeedback for addressing issues such as poor sleep, fatigue, dizziness and trouble with memory or concentration – common problems that make life difficult for people who have had a concussion.
VCU School of Population Health becomes VCU School of Public Health
Virginia Commonwealth University’s newest school will have a new name – the VCU School of Public Health – effective July 15. Last year, VCU brought together four departments – Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Policy, and Social and Behavioral Sciences – to establish the School of Population Health, which became the 15th school or college in VCU’s academic enterprise. It began offering courses this past fall, with students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees.
CLC Complaint Alleges DeJoy Straw Donor Scheme Hid Source of Campaign Contributions
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy arrives for the House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing titled 'Protecting the Timely Delivery of Mail, Medicine, and Mail-in Ballots, ' on Monday, August 25, 2020. Photo By Tom Williams/Sipa USA/Alamy Live News Campaign Legal Center (CLC) recently filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and his former company XPO Logistics for alleged straw donations that continued through 2018.
CLC Research Draws Connections Between Campaign Finance System and Federal Relief for Fossil Fuel Industry
As Americans across the country continue to struggle during the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Trump administration is extending financial relief to oil companies that drill on public lands. Among those oil leases that have received aid, hundreds are owned by political megadonors or have close ties to senior Interior officials’ former clients, according to a new Campaign Legal Center (CLC) analysis.
FEC: Close the Bloomberg Billionaire Loophole
Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaking with attendees at the Presidential Gun Sense Forum hosted by Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa on August 10, 2019. Photo by Gage Skidmore. Campaign Legal Center (CLC) is asking the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to close a loophole that allows billionaires to funnel millions of dollars to political parties.
Past Time for the FEC to get to Work
A public hearing at the Federal Election Commission. Photo by Casey Atkins/Campaign Legal Center. After lacking a voting quorum since August, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) finally has enough commissioners again to carry out its obligations of enforcing, administering, and interpreting campaign finance law.
CLC Files Complaint Against Former Rep. David Rivera for Undisclosed Foreign Influence Efforts
Rep. David Rivera, R- Miami, during budget negotiations in Tallahassee on 26 April 2010. Photo by Scott Keeler/ZUMA Press Inc. The public has a right to know how foreign governments and their agents are attempting to influence our country’s public opinion, policies, and laws. CLC filed a complaint with the Department of Justice’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) Unit asking for an investigation into former United States Representative David Rivera. Rep.
CLC President Trevor Potter Responds to IRS Rollback of Donor Disclosure
The Internal Revenue Service building in Washington, D.C. Photo by B Christopher / Alamy Stock Photo. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury Department finalized a rule ending the long-standing requirement that nonprofits, tax exempt organizations filed as 501(c)(4)s and 501(c)(6)s under the tax code must confidentially disclose their donors to the IRS.
CLC Files Amicus Brief Urging the Supreme Court Not to Allow for Faithless Electors
Electors cast ballots as the Texas Electoral College meet at the Capitol in Austin, Texas. Photo by Bob Daemmrich / Alamy Stock Photo. Wealthy special interests might soon get an opportunity to influence the process by which presidential electors in the Electoral College cast their deciding votes in 2020 and beyond. As Adav Noti, senior trial litigator and chief of staff at CLC outlined in a recent op-ed, this summer, the Supreme Court is scheduled to decide Chiafalo v.
Attorney General Barr “Rewrote History” in Address to Federalist Society
U.S. Attorney General William Barr delivers remarks Thursday, July 11, 2019, in the Rose Garden of the White House. Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead. Public Domain.
CLC Launches RecupereSuVoto.org to Help Millions of Citizens Vote
Nearly 18 million of the 23 million Americans with felony convictions should be able to vote right now, if they just understood their rights. On National Voter Registration Day, Campaign Legal Center launched RecupereSuVoto.org, the Spanish language version of RestoreYourVote.org: an online toolkit to help citizens with past felony convictions understand their options for exercising the right to vote in all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
North Carolina Legislature Fails to Follow Court’s Guidelines During Redistricting
On September 3, 2019, the Wake County Superior Court struck down North Carolina’s state House and Senate maps as unconstitutional partisan gerrymanders, and assigned a deadline of two weeks (September 18, 2019) for the legislature to have new maps redrawn and enacted. The Court stated that it would also appoint a referee to review and assess the remedial maps submitted by the General Assembly, or to draw remedial maps if the General Assembly is unable to or if the proposed maps are unacceptable.
Yang Campaign Can’t Just Give Away Cash to Voters
Andrew Yang speaking with attendees at the 2019 Iowa Democratic Wing Ding at Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. Photo by Gage Skidmore via Creative Commons. At the third Democratic debate in Houston, Tex. on ABC, candidate for President of the United States Andrew Yang promised to give away free money. He announced that his campaign – through a raffle – would give 10 families $1,000 per month for a year as part of a case study on his universal basic income policy.
Fake Political Group Exploits Facebook Rules and Hides Spending from the FEC
In the final weeks of the 2018 elections, a Facebook page called America Progress Now was created and quickly reached hundreds of thousands of Facebook users with paid ads urging voters to cast ballots for third-party candidates in five competitive U.S. Senate and House races. Shortly after Election Day, the page went silent.
How Public Exposure Stymied the Impact of the Presidential Coalition's Deceptive Fundraising Tactics
Earlier this year, a joint investigation by Campaign Legal Center (CLC) and Axios documented how the Presidential Coalition capitalized on its founder’s ties to President Trump to raise millions of dollars but devoted less than 3% of its spending to political activities. The investigation prompted a stinging rebuke from President Trump’s campaign—and, according to new records, led to a precipitous drop in fundraising activity.
New Wire Transfer Records Reveal Shady Foreign Ties to a Pro-Trump Super PAC
Newly available wire transfer records, made public through an unrelated civil action in Florida, add intriguing new details to an already wild story involving a shady corporation with foreign ties that illegally laundered money to a pro-Trump super PAC. Campaign Legal Center (CLC) filed a supplement to a Federal Election Commission (FEC) complaint based on those new records, which also establish that the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action faces legal liability. First the backstory.
New Reports Show Why the FEC Needs to Clarify Disclosure Requirements for Dark Money Groups-and Why Congress Should Go Even Further
In final stretch of 2018 race, $50.7 million was spent on independent expenditures subject to disclosure, but only 8% was accounted for, according to a new CLC analysis. A D.C. District Court decision last year held the promise of secret money becoming less secret. But new reports show that the public is still largely being kept in the dark. September’s decision in CREW v.
$760,000 in Illegal Contributions Returned or Reattributed Thanks to Recent CLC Complaints
Over the past decade, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) has developed a well-deserved reputation for dysfunction. It has deadlocked on more and more enforcement matters, stood idly by while hundreds of millions of dollars in dark money have flooded our elections, and failed to take even basic steps to update campaign finance law for the 21st century. In many areas of the law, FEC inaction has signaled to political operatives that they can push the legal envelope and get away with it.
How to Become a Full-time Freelancer
Five months ago I graduated with my masters in PR & Advertising. Three months later, I quit my full time job to become a freelancer. While no one seems to believe me, I hadn’t planned to become a freelancer until shortly before that and had no clue how to make it happen. I simply started by writing a few hours a week for an agency. Then, a former coworker referred my first client and things grew from there.
Report: How Leadership PACs Became Politicians' Preferred Ticket to Luxury Living
In the past five years, members of Congress have spent at least $871,000 on golf club expenses, $741,000 at the St. Regis Hotels, and $469,000 at Disney World. A South Dakota Senator spent $403,000 at West Virginia’s Greenbrier Sporting Club; an Ohio Congressman spent $64,000 on Broadway tickets in New York City.
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