Mary Picado speaks with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.
Mary Picado speaks with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra as Lauren Phillips, right, administers a COVID-19 vaccine. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)

Nov. 19, 2021

In photos: Scenes from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s visit to VCU

Becerra met with patients receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and their families and held a news conference with Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and HHS and VCU leaders.

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By VCU News staff

Xavier Becerra, secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, visited the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU on Thursday, part of a week of public appearances around the country to build trust and confidence in the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine. 

University photographer Kevin Morley was on campus to document Becerra’s visit, which included meeting with patients receiving the vaccine and their families and a news conference with Gov. Ralph Northam; Admiral Rachel Levine, the assistant secretary for health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., and VCU Health's Tiffany Kimbrough, M.D.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, right, greets VCU Massey Cancer Center Director Robert Winn.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, right, greets VCU Massey Cancer Center Director Robert Winn. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Xavier Becerra, far left, speaks with Richmond, HHS and VCU Health leaders, including Mayor Levar Stoney (second from left).
Becerra, far left, speaks with Richmond, HHS and VCU Health leaders, including Mayor Levar Stoney (second from left). (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra greets Sheryl Garland, chief of health impact for VCU Health System.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra greets Sheryl Garland, chief of health impact for VCU Health System. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, left, greets Johnny Richter at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Becerra, left, greets Johnny Richter at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Abby Avula receives her COVID-19 vaccine
Abby Avula receives her COVID-19 vaccine. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Abby Avula and Becerra share a fist bump.
Abby Avula and Becerra share a fist bump. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Mary Picado, center, speaks with team members at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU prior to receiving her COVID-19 vaccine.
Mary Picado, center, speaks with team members at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU prior to receiving her COVID-19 vaccine. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, left, and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra greet Mary Picado.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, left, and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra greet Mary Picado. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Mary Picado, center, with Xavier Becerra and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.
Mary Picado, center, with Becerra and Northam. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra speaks with VCU President Michael Rao during Becerra's visit to Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
VCU President Michael Rao speaks with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra during his visit to Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, left, speaks with Art Kellermann, CEO of the VCU Health System.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, left, speaks with Art Kellermann, CEO of VCU Health System. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Xavier Becerra
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra speaks to the media during a visit to Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
VCU President Michael Rao speaks at a news conference
VCU President Michael Rao. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Tiffany Kimbrough speaks at a news conference
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU’s Tiffany Kimbrough speaks at Thursday's news conference. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
VCU President Michael Rao addresses guests and media at a news conference outside Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)