Connect

“Driven to Bring Hope to Life” is the theme of UVA Health’s recently launched statewide advertising campaign, but it’s the health system’s own researchers, providers, and nurses who bring this concept to life on air, on screen, and in print. More than 40 team members lent their time and talent to multiple campaign production shoots that ultimately yielded four television commercials and dozens of billboards, print, radio, and social media ads that will be seen by millions of Virginians across the commonwealth.  

Below, Connect talks to the cast of the “Driven to Bring Hope to Life” campaign and shares some of their stories, insights, and a few laughs. UVA Health Strategic Marketing and Communications is grateful to these team members and everyone who played a role in producing this inspiring campaign.  

Hope Doesn’t Take No for an Answer 

Kristin Anderson, PhD
Assistant Professor, Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology 

What drives you to bring hope to life?
When I was a graduate student, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. I underwent surgery and chemotherapy, including a very targeted medicine, and I am here and thriving more than 12 years later. My journey is an example of what can happen when researchers persevere to develop new and targeted medicines for diseases that start out as very difficult to treat. I am driven to bring hope to life so I can pay it forward for other patients and their loved ones.

Kyle Sims, RN
Infusion Procedural Center, Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center 

What does it mean to you to be featured in this campaign for UVA Health? 
Being featured in a marketing campaign for a cancer center holds special significance to me because it may help individuals and families affected by cancer find support, resources, and hope. It's an opportunity to be part of a collective effort to improve outcomes for patients and advance the fight against cancer. 

Now that you’re a TV star, what TV show would you most like to appear in?  
If I were an actor, I would definitely be on House or Lost. 

Also featured or filmed: Michael Keng, MD, Assistant Professor, Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center; Gabriel Alencar, PhD, Senior Computational Biologist/Bioinformatician, Anderson Lab; Matt Bode, Post-baccalaureate Researcher; Kara Cummings, PhD, Lab Manager, Anderson Lab; Yaning Li, Postdoctoral Researcher; Rossymar Rivera, Postdoctoral Researcher. 

Solving the World’s Biggest Medical Mysteries 

Jianjie Ma, PhD 
William H. Muller Professor of Surgery and Director of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery 

What drives you to bring hope to life? 
My passion for research stems from the joy of working together with a team of complementary expertise, where a ripple of small ideas can mature into a deeper understanding of the human physiology.  

Suzanne Jan De Beur, MD 
Professor of Medicine and Chief, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism 

What does it mean to you to be featured in this marketing campaign?
I am unimaginably honored to be featured in this campaign. I am fully aware that I stand on the shoulders of the “giants” that came before me at UVA Health, that I am a single example of one small star in a galaxy of stars that are my UVA Health peers and I aspire to be eclipsed by the stellar young people I work with and train daily. I am excited that now the public will get a glimpse of the great work that we all do to bring hope to life.  

Now that you’re a TV star, what TV show would you most like to appear in?
I am a huge HGTV fan and currently undergoing a home renovation, so I would love to be on Fixer Upper as the lucky homeowner! 

Also featured or filmed: Zach Dawson, Graduate Research Student; Kyung Eun Lee, Research Scientist; Ki Ho Park, PhD, Research Assistant Professor of Surgery; Xindi Zeng, Graduate Research Student; Xinyu Zhou, PhD, Research Assistant Professor of Surgery.  

Hope Is a Promise to All Patients 

Peter Dean, MD 
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
Medical Director, Pediatric Exercise Stress Laboratory 

What drives you to bring hope to life?
I try to be the doctor that I would want for my family. In a period of uncertainty, fear and wilderness for patients and families, I try to be a little bit of a light for those I care for and interact with. 

Now that you’re a TV star, what TV show would you most like to appear in?
I was initially thinking Jack Ryan or Gilmore Girls, but I think I have to go with Bluey. While the Bluey "hospital" episode was outstanding, it didn't exactly paint physicians in the best light, so I would like to try to help with that aspect. 

Amber Knight, RN
Acute Care Pediatrics, UVA Health Children’s 

What drives you to bring hope to life?
The way our patients have such resiliency to get better when they are sick! The kids are truly inspiring. 

Also featured or filmed: Maria Luisa Sequeira-Lopez, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Research Center; Lucas Ferreira de Almeida, Research Associate; Vidya Nagalakshmi, Instructor of Research; Jason Smith, Senior Scientist – Bioinformatician; Manako Yamaguchi, Postdoctoral Researcher; Rachel Benninger, RN; Hannah Fox, RN; Alec Harrison, RN; Regan Walter, RN; Ashley Williamson, RN.  

Special thanks to 7C and 7W team members for accommodating this production shoot in various ways, including jumping in to be part of the crowd in the “confetti scene.”

Good Health Is Everything 

Jennifer Handy, DO 
Bull Run Family Medicine 

What drives you to bring hope to life?
I try to treat all my patients the way I would want my family members treated. This includes bringing hope to each patient interaction, to work with individuals to achieve their health goals, and maximize their quality of life. 

What does it mean to you to be featured in this campaign for UVA Health?
I was happy to participate in this marketing program to help raise awareness of the availability of competent and caring physicians within our group across Northern Virginia. I feel that UVA Health has a lot to offer this area, and I am proud to practice in this community. 

Shawneeta Gault, LPN
LPN Lead, Bull Run Family Medicine 

What does it mean to you to be featured in this campaign for UVA Health?
Being featured in this marketing campaign makes me feel humble, it makes me feel grateful because UVA Health is truly displaying diversity and inclusion and I believe people go through life wanting to feel seen, wanting to be known, and wanting to be loved.  

Now that you’re a TV star, what TV show would you most like to appear in?
Family Feud. It's a fun show and laughter is good for your soul! 

Also featured or filmed: Naghmeh Pirsaharkhizlangroudi, MD, General Surgery Haymarket; Chari Vaughnese Smith, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology Haymarket; Raza Yunus, MD, UVA Health Cardiology Manassas; Ellen Ashes, RN; Xrijlov Bagaporo, RN; Teresa Baltuano-Post, RN; Ancy Kulakkattolickal, RN; Kevin Moser, RN; Alexandra Norris, LPN; Emily Peralta, LPN; Carla Perez​, Certified Surgical Technologist.

Voiceover 

Dr. Kirsten Greene lent her voice as the narrator for each of the campaign videos and radio ads, in addition to appearing in print and social media ads.  

Kirsten Greene, MD
Professor and Chair, Department of Urology 

What drives you to bring hope to life?
I come from an entirely non-medical family, and I think a lot about them when I see patients. I remember how scary it was to go to the doctor, to feel powerless and not really understand what people were saying or what the jargon meant. Now I try to help my friends, family, and my patients understand what is happening and realize that there are options and choices they get to make to align with their own goals and the way they want to live their lives. To me, hope is having a choice. Hope is the chance to be cured and live the life you want. Hope means options and someone taking the time to explain things to you so you can pick what sounds best for you. 

Now that you’re a TV star, what TV show would you most like to appear in?
Top Chef as a guest judge! I can’t cook at all, and I marvel at the talent of the contestants. I would love to be a guest judge and taste their amazing food, but I wouldn’t tell anyone to pack their knives and go.