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UVA Health’s BEE (Being Excellent Every Day) Award recognizes clinical support team members who work alongside our nursing teams to deliver expert, compassionate care. This special program symbolizes the relationship between nursing and other members of the care team — the same way bees and flowers depend on one another. 

On behalf of unit staff — several Women’s and Children’s team members nominated Jessica Gardner, Dietary Clerk, Food and Nutrition:

“Jessie rarely ever has orders that are incorrect, but if she does, she makes sure it is taken care of in a timely manner and doesn't just leave it up to us to figure it out. She gives her patients all the options on the menu and doesn't just tell them the meal of the day. Jessie also makes sure she keeps up with the patients who transfer from labor, as well as any new changes in dietary orders.” -Shannon Raines

“Jessie always goes out of her way to bring patients what they want to eat even if it is an inconvenience to her! She is so kind and respectful to all the staff and patients!” -Taegan Field

“There are too many times to remember. Jessie is a rock star! She makes sure everyone gets to order even when they're not in the room. She continually goes above and beyond every single day. She has gone back down to the kitchen and returned with the correct order on multiple occasions. Jessie always makes sure we have the carb count slips when we have patients on insulin drips and Glucommander [blood glucose management tool]. Jessie does her job with cheerfulness, regardless of the stressful situations she encounters.” -Ann Wright

“Jessie always has a positive attitude when she works on our unit — even on the days when she is serving trays on other floors due to poor staffing. She will always fix meal errors, either with the correct item or by going back down to the kitchen for a meal voucher. I have seen her make the effort to always use a translator service for those patients who do not speak English to ensure they get the meals they want. She carries her work cell on her at all times so we can reach her when there is a dietary issue to resolve — making my job easier. I love working with her!” -Kelly Terreri

“Jessie always goes above and beyond to be sure that all the patients have meal trays or vouchers. If we get a patient from L&D [Labor and Delivery] and she doesn't have a tray for them, she makes sure they get a voucher. She always has a positive attitude and the patients have expressed how helpful and sweet she is. She is such a pleasure to work with — meal service is a big part of our patient's experience and can make a difference on how they view their stay and care at UVA. Always glad to see Jessie arrive on the unit!” -Jean Quade 

“Jessie is an outstanding team member. She always exudes a cheerful demeanor and is polite and courteous with her patients, families, and staff. She is working to diligently meet the needs of her patients. Our families are here with their new babies and many times the parents have been here for many hours prior to the birth. Food is always a welcome entity for all of our families, and while it provides much needed nutrition, it also provides comfort and normalcy to an otherwise unusual life event.

"Jessie goes out of her way to make sure her families are taken care of in our patient rooms. She ensures our families in isolation receive the same professional care as all the other families; have access to her and the dietary team by providing a phone number for them to reach her and send any dietary requests they might need; and receive their trays in a timely and meaningful manner. She is always courteous, respectful and polite when entering the room and is cognizant of other teams who might be in the room providing care to the infant and family.

"She ensures that if she needs to bypass a room for any reason that she returns to that room in a timely manner so patients get their care and dietary needs. If a patient does not receive a tray or a particular request and Jessie is asked about this, she will go out of her way so the patient/family receives a food tray — and if at all possible — their particular request or an adequate substitute.

"Jessie treats her patients and their families as if they were her own family. Daily, she displays our ASPIRE values of UVA and embodies the professionalism, dedication, and compassion of the UVA BEE Award. It is an honor and privilege to work with Jessie on a daily basis — she truly is a shining star!” -Jolene Carlton

“As you can see, Jessie is loved and respected by the Mother Baby/Antepartum staff. She always goes above and beyond to make sure orders are placed and does a great job of taking care of people. She also has received positive feedback from patients during leadership rounds. Jessie embodies ASPIRE values — especially professionalism, integrity, respect, and equity.” -Karin Brown

Nominations edited for privacy and clarity.

Know a deserving team member?

The Nursing Professional Governance Organization honors up to two UVA Medical Center team members each month with a BEE Award.