Women in Medicine Month | Supply Chain Team Scored Big With This Mother-Daughter Duo

9.22.2023

Women in Medicine Month | Supply Chain Team Scored Big With This Mother-Daughter Duo

By Holly Ford
Photo by Kay Taylor

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 at UVA Health and beyond.

Carolyn Hensley and her daughter, Dana Hensley, share more than DNA. They share a desire to help others. They share a commitment to UVA Health. They even share the same title: senior supply chain specialist. “Great minds think alike,” says Dana.

Get to Know: Carolyn and Dana

Tell us about your background.

Carolyn: I’m a lifelong Central Virginia resident. I attended Piedmont Community College, but life and family responsibilities transformed my career path.

Dana: I grew up in Charlottesville and I graduated from Charlottesville High School. I am a mother of two children: Bryson, 12, and Ava, 5.

Why did you choose medicine as a career?

Carolyn: Having seen my mom and dad benefit from the medical services they received at UVA led to a fascination with and a desire to help people, but I didn’t know the best way to do it.

Dana: I care about the well-being of others, and staying healthy and strong for our future young women and men!

Why did you choose to work at UVA Health?

Carolyn: I’ve always wanted to work at UVA to help people!

Dana: Opportunities to grow and learn.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

Carolyn: Coordinating the procurement and subsequent delivery of our operational and procedural supplies is very challenging, but highly rewarding!

Dana: Seeing patients get on with a healthy life.

What are the pros/cons of working at the same place as your mother/daughter?

Carolyn: I couldn’t ask for a more trusted friend and confidant. We are each other’s rock. It’s hard not to step in when she’s having a tough or emotionally challenging day. But Dana handles challenges very well.

Dana: We learn from one another. We help each other. Our mother-daughter relationship is very special. My mother is my best friend.

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

Carolyn: We take a deep breath, thoroughly listen without judgement, give each other a hug and provide an opinion if the other person is at the point where they can listen or hear what the other person has to say. Timing is very important part of good communication!!

Dana: We work through anything and everything that comes our way. My mother is a rock star at her work and goes above and beyond for anyone. Everyone matters.

What inspires you?

Carolyn: The difference I get to make in our patients’ and staff’s lives on a daily basis.

Dana: How far medicine has come to help save more and more lives.

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

Carolyn: Establish what you are good at and advantageously apply your skillset to a healthcare career that lets your strengths and assets shine!

Dana: Keep your head held high and think of the patient and their needs first. When speaking with a patient, look at them and see them, not at the computer screen.

*****

Thank you, Carolyn and Dana, 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: