Connect

In recognition of Women in Medicine Month, we’re honoring some of the women who have dedicated their careers to making a positive impact on the lives of patients, women who are furthering our efforts to deliver quality care, and women who are shaping the future of healthcare here at UVA Health and beyond. 

Originally from Corry, Pa., sisters Alison Poeppel, MSN, RN, and Erin Thompson, BSN, RN, started their careers in different fields, but both eventually found their way to nursing — and to UVA Health. After 13 years, their roles have changed, but they still lean on each other when challenges arise and celebrate their successes. 

“We have a strong sense of support for one another given our bond as sisters and nurses who have had the opportunity to see many of the same things,” says Erin.

Get to Know: Alison and Erin 

Tell us about your background.

Alison: I attended college at Penn State Behrend, where I obtained a degree in mathematics and statistics. After a few years working in the auto insurance industry as a business analyst, I made a career change. I enrolled in an accelerated nursing program at Binghamton University in upstate New York, and obtained my bachelor’s in nursing. 

Erin: I also attended Penn State Behrend, and I majored in marketing. I moved to Charlotte, N.C., and worked for Progressive Insurance Company for a few years before returning to Mercy School of Nursing to obtain my nursing degree. I started as a new grad at Carolinas Medical Center. My husband and I then moved to Virginia in 2010 after we were married. I accepted a position in the Surgical Trauma Burn ICU at UVA Medical Center, where I worked for over four years. I was able to complete my BSN at Radford University during this time. 

After having our two children, I accepted my first Assistant Nurse Manager position at University Physicians Orange, and I am now wrapping up my final course requirement to complete my MBA at Radford University. I will graduate in October 2023.

Why did you choose medicine as a career?

Alison: I chose nursing because of the opportunity to help others in a meaningful way and because of the variety of directions a nursing career can take. I knew going into nursing school that I wanted to find a way to combine my math background in a way to serve patients and make a difference. 

Erin: At the time I was working in insurance and handling bodily injury claims, my uncle was life flighted from the Dominican Republic to North Carolina, where I watched a healthcare team provide care to him in his final days following a ruptured brain aneurysm. It became very clear that my desire was to work in medicine, and I immediately began applying to nursing school.

Why did you choose to work at UVA?

Alison: My husband and I wanted to leave New York and head somewhere with more sunshine and more opportunity to be outdoors. We did an east coast road trip to visit as many towns and cities as we could, and we fell in love with Charlottesville. As my graduation approached, I applied to and had the opportunity to interview at several hospitals, but UVA was the goal. The people at UVA were very friendly and welcoming — it felt like home. I started at UVA as a bedside nurse in the medical ICU, and have worked in the Quality department as a Patient Safety Officer and a Performance Improvement Coach.

Erin: I wanted to have the opportunity to work in an ANCC Magnet-designated organization with a professional nursing governance organization (PNSO). Working at a renowned academic center with a trauma program was also very important to me. I’ve been at UVA Health for 13 years and three months.

What is your current role?

Alison: I am currently the manager of the Cancer Registry and Quality team within the oncology service line. 

Erin: I am now the Director of Operations for UVA Community Health, where I provide operational oversight to the five specialty clinics that are part of UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center. My last day in this position is Sept. 8, 2023, as I am transitioning to the quality team at Culpeper Medical Center. I am very much looking forward to a pivot in my career so I can focus on supporting the Culpeper team on performance improvement initiatives.

What are the pros and cons of working at the same place as your sister?

Alison: We both started at UVA a few months apart. Erin came in with a few years’ experience, and I came as a new grad. It was helpful to have someone so close to help me transition to critical care nursing, and adjust to working nights, holidays and weekends. 

When we were both still critical care nursing at the bedside, it was a lot of fun getting to be co-charge nurses with my sister on a night shift. I got to learn more about surgery and trauma patients, and also see her in her element, leading others with confidence, grace and kindness. 

The only con is probably that when we first started, we were assigned to different weekends. So seeing family all together at the same time was impossible — our parents and youngest sister were still in Pennsylvania.

I think the biggest positive to having a sister not just in the same field, but also at the same organization, is that we have been able to better understand and support each other through the good times and the challenges over the last 13-plus years.

Erin: Honestly, there are no cons. Both Alison and I worked inpatient at the same time back in our initial UVA ICU days. I would be assigned the STBICU Charge RN and she would be the MICU Charge RN during night shifts. It was great to have the ability to work closely with her when a new trauma was coming in and I needed to quickly work on bed transfers. 

What inspires you?

Alison: Great leaders! I’ve been very fortunate to work with some remarkable leaders over the years, and I draw on their example of servant leadership to help cultivate my own growth and leadership style. It’s inspiring to coach others and find creative ways to solve problems. Having a seat at the table and feeling valued and heard help keep me going. I also find personal growth inspiring by staying curious and feeding my love of continuous learning.

Erin: Being able to make a difference. Being an active participant in decision-making. Being supported so I can best support my teams. Being an integral part of a community of professionals who share a sense of camaraderie and commitment to quality patient care. Being able to continuously learn and grow. 

What advice do you have for women joining the field of medicine?

Alison: Find great mentors. Mentors can support you, give advice and identify areas for career growth, but they can also be a safe place to talk about a hard day at work. Stay curious. Continuous personal growth will help you gain new perspectives and to step out of your comfort zone. 

Erin: Do what you love and make sure that those you surround yourself with believe in you. Find a mentor. Always be curious. Continually look for opportunities that interest you. Don’t forget to fill your cup and keep filling it; it is the single most important thing you can do to be your best for the people you love, and those who depend on you.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

Alison: In my day-to-day work, I am most passionate about coaching and developing others. I find it very rewarding to build relationships. Whether I’m working with someone on problem solving, troubleshooting or handling a difficult project, it is the best feeling to watch them grow and gain confidence in their skills and abilities. Being able to be a part of the growth and success of all the people I’ve been privileged to work with has been the most rewarding part of my nursing career.

Erin: I find it most rewarding to see the positive impact that we have on the lives of our patients and team members. I thoroughly enjoy living where I work so I can be involved in local Culpeper activities and see the people that mean the most to me. I love my teams, the people who have allowed me to lead them and support them so they can be their best.

How do you support each other when you face challenges at work?

Alison: It used to be lunches on the Corner, but now we rely on phone calls since we’re no longer in the same vicinity. Whenever I have a particularly great day at work or a challenging day, Erin is the first person I call. I trust her advice and honesty, whether it’s celebrating with me, validating my feelings or telling me when I need to get over it and move on. Being the younger sister, I have always looked up to and admired Erin and relied on her mentorship — she’s a tremendous leader, and I’m so lucky I get to call her my sister, co-worker and friend.

Erin: We’re working professionals who just happen to both work for UVA Health. It’s an understanding. I know that if I have a bad day, I can call Alison and she will listen, understand where I’m coming from and either comfort me or tell me to calm down. I do the same for her, too. Having this experience with her has brought us closer together as sisters and friends. This was super important when we both were in the ICU, as we frequently were faced with coping with patient loss, and then most recently during the COVID-19 pandemic. I can’t imagine this working experience without Alison being a part of it.

*****

Thank you, Alison and Erin, for sharing your story! During Women in Medicine Month in September, Connect will continue showcasing UVA Health team members, including a series featuring pairs of mothers, daughters, and/or sisters — all working at UVA Health. While many of our colleagues offered to participate, we regrettably can not share all of their stories (as much as we would love to!). Connect is incredibly grateful to all of them, including:

• Mom Rhonda Beyeler and daughter Kendra McLaughlin
• Mom Ann Brown and daughter Kanisha Brown
• Mom Sandra Burks; and daughters Jennifer Kragie and Alli Burks-Paysour
• Mom Patti Dabney and daughter Britney Dabney
• Mom Victoria Gibbons and daughter Jennifer Simpson
• Mom Carolyn Hensley and daughter Dana Hensley
• Mom Kim Holman and daughter Kristin Holman
• Mom Tina Knicely and daughter Lauren Craig
• Sisters Laura McCoy and Joanne Davis
• Mom Christine Moubray and daughter Grace Newman
• Sisters Erin Thompson and Alison Poeppel
• Mom Pam Robertson and daughter Caitlyn Robertson
• Mom Ronni Rothwell and daughter Ainsley Polson
• Mom Paula Schenck and daughter Davey Schenck

Stay tuned to Connect for profiles on some of the above Women in Medicine!