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Linda Montalto, Patient Care Technician, 4 Central, Organ Transplant, recently received a BEE Award for taking special care of a patient’s needs.

UVA Health launched the BEE Award last year as special program to recognize excellence among the clinical support team members who work alongside our nursing teams delivering expert, compassionate care. This award program symbolizes the relationship between nursing and other members of the care team — the same way bees and flowers depend on one another. 

Linda was nominated by a UVA Health colleague. Read the full nomination below.

“Every day that I see Linda's name on the board, I know it will be a good day. Linda is phenomenal. Her attention to detail and knowledge about her patients is just amazing! Not only is Linda so kindhearted, nurturing, and loving, but she also is the tough-love many of these patients need to recover from their transplant. As if that responsibility isn't challenging enough, Linda also manages to keep us straight as nurses. She always brings things to my attention professionally — good or bad. She will also come with a potential solution and is always willing to be part of the change to that solution. 

“Linda is the vice chair to the RN PCT committee, she is our lead on supplies, and she is an active member on our unit shared governance committee. There are so many stories I could tell of how wonderful Linda is, but I will limit it to two.

“The first story is when Linda and I cared for a young transplant patient that was on hospice care on our unit. This patient was well known to our team and Linda had a special connection with her. Linda grew to know her so well through her many admissions. During this shift, Linda and I were both taking care of her. She was in the end stage of liver failure and would often bleed from her nose and mouth. That morning, the patient needed to be cleaned up and it was right in the middle of shift change and when vitals were due — but when I called Linda to help me, she didn't hesitate and came right away. Little did we know that was going to be the time we held her hand as she took her last breath. That day was hard for both of us, but I know it was especially hard for Linda. She remained so strong that day and it has forever left an amazing impression on me.

“This second story was just a few weeks ago when I was taking care of a patient that was a fresh kidney transplant. I ran into multiple issues throughout my shift and Linda (also being the only tech working that shift) was always there when I needed her. She was there to help me, and she was there as the support for the patient and whatever he needed. Linda has a heart of gold and is such a wonderful person and healthcare provider, and is deserving of the BEE award.”

*Nomination edited for length and clarity.

Know a deserving team member?

The Nursing Professional Governance Organization honors up to two UVA clinical support team members each month with a BEE Award. Learn more.