9.5.2025
‘What Community Really Means’: How Global Perspectives Are Enriching UVA Health
9.5.2025
UVA Health Update | Sept. 5, 2025
Sign Up to Donate: Pediatric Sickle Cell Blood Drive
Monday, Sept. 8 | noon- 5 p.m. | Battle Building, Quayle Center, first floor | The need for blood from donors who are Black is urgent. Blood donors who are Black play a critical role in helping people with sickle cell disease, the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S. Sickle cell disease primarily affects those who are African American or of African descent. Patients with this disease may rely on regular blood transfusions throughout their lives. It is essential that the blood they receive be the most compatible match possible from someone of the same race or ethnicity. To register, contact Sharon Jones. Swag alert: Donate and receive one of four mystery T-shirts with an iconic Red Cross and Peanuts design.
Ambulatory
Pediatric Neurosurgery Clinic Now Seeing Patients for Spine Conditions
The Pediatric Neurosurgery Clinic in the Battle Building has expanded its services to include treatment of spine conditions such as congenital spine deformities, herniated discs, and pars defects in patients from birth to 18 years of age. Patients may be referred to UVBB Neurosurg Peds CL in Epic or call 434.924.2203 and select option 4 for more information.
Operations
Monthly Epic Update
Changes go live Tuesday, Sept. 9 | This month’s Epic updates will impact ambulatory and inpatient licensed independent practitioners, nurses, and therapy services — as well as all Epic users, Access/Patient Access Teams, and the Emergency Department. Details about the latest changes can be found in the Epic Update Bundle. Contact the Service Desk: fill out a form or call 434.924.5334.
Organ Donation Registration Now Available in MyChart
More than 3,000 Virginians are waiting for the gift of life. Now, through your MyChart patient portal, you can quickly register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor. At UVA Health, this new integration strengthens our commitment to saving lives and creating brighter futures for families across Virginia. Questions? Contact Amy Schmidt-Morris. Learn more.
Monthly Update: Clinical and Operational Documents
Having a working knowledge of policies and other clinical and operational documents relevant to your role and responsibilities at University Medical Center supports quality patient care and regulatory compliance. Learn What’s New in Clinical and Operational Documents. This month’s highlights include:
- Updates to Parenteral Prostacyclin Therapy for Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) Adult Inpatients Guideline
- Updates to Antiemetic for Anti-Neoplastics in Adult Patients Guideline
- Updates to Influenza Vaccination (Pharmacists) Flu Order
- Updates to Influenza Vaccination (Nurses and MAs) Flu Order, and many more.
Questions? Email PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.
New Providers: August 2025
We are proud to feature our clinical providers in the UVA Health Provider Directory. Inclusion in the directory helps connect patients with our expert providers. New providers to the directory will be announced monthly. New providers to the directory in August can be found on Connect.
Leadership
Celebrating Length of Stay Improvement
From Wendy Horton, PharmD, MBA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer, University Medical Center: “I am filled with immense pride and gratitude as we celebrate a historic milestone in our journey to redefine healthcare excellence at University Medical Center: a transformative reduction in our average Length of Stay (LOS). Over the past year, we have achieved an extraordinary feat — reducing our LOS from a high of 7.41 days in July 2024 to 6.01 days June 2025, the best performance in our hospital’s history over nearly the last decade. The UMC Medicine team has been amazing, piloting new initiatives and improving LOS from a high of 9.53 days in July 2024 to 6.21 days June 2025! Since January 2025, this progress has been particularly striking, reflecting our shared vision, relentless innovation, and unwavering commitment to the patients and communities we serve across the Commonwealth of Virginia.” Read the full message on KnowledgeLink.
Save the Date: UVA Health Town Hall
Tuesday, Sept. 30 | noon-1 p.m. | Sandridge Auditorium and livestream | For our first town hall of the FY26 fiscal year, UVA Health leadership is excited to share important updates and progress as we mark the three-year anniversary of the launch of our UVA Health 10-year strategic plan. During this time, you will have the opportunity to learn about the state of the health system from Mitch Rosner, MD, MACP, FRCP, interim EVP for Health Affairs at the University of Virginia, as well as other health system leaders. Pending team member schedules and availability — attendance and engagement is most welcome and encouraged. Questions? Submit them in advance or during the town hall to YourTownHall@uvahealth.org.
Clinical Pastoral Education Program Paused
From UVA Health leadership: “To prepare theological students and clergy for the unique challenges that come with practicing as a chaplain in a hospital setting, University Medical Center has for many years offered a Clinical Pastoral Education program that has provided mentorship and hands-on engagement for those looking to serve in healthcare. While this residency effort has been successful for us over the years, the program’s current structure and curriculum are no longer in sync with overall best practices.
“As a result, we have made the decision to pause our Clinical Pastoral Education program indefinitely while we evaluate its future-state.
“Please know that while this program has been paused, our commitment to chaplaincy within UVA Health remains strong. To date, we have hired additional chaplains to support operations, meaning there will be no impacts to patient care as a result of this decision. Any remaining funds previously allocated to support the education program will be reinvested in the chaplaincy office to aid future growth and development.”
UVA Health in the News
Top Story
- Dr. Laurie Archbald-Pannone is featured in The Washington Post discussing dizziness.
Patient Care
- Dr. Gregg Eure appears on our weekly NBC29 segment to talk about options for men with enlarged prostate, while on Sept 3, Dr. Stephen Culp discusses Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
- Dr. Jonathan Swanson and University Medical Center Chief Operating Officer Min Lee appear on NBC29 and KTBS spotlighting the South Tower bed expansion.
- Dr. Scott Hollenbeck is featured in Elle talking about counterfeit botox.
- Dr. Carrie Sopata is featured in Slate discussing speculums.
Research
- Dr. David Penberthy and Dr. Jennifer Penberthy talk to many outlets around the country about how AI can improve mental healthcare for patients with breast cancer, including DC’s WTOP, NBC29, CBS19, Richmond 12, Cincinnati 19, Cleveland 19, and more.
- Dr. Jamie Bourque appears in Cardiovascular Business discussing nuclear stress testing.
- Dr. James Stone is featured on NBC29, CBS19, Richmond ABC, Health Imaging, and more for his $2.3 million grant to fund a clinical trial to test whether MRI can identify brain injuries in soldiers exposed to blasts.
Community
- NBC29, Richmond’s NBC12, Cleveland 19, Memphis Action News 5, Z95.1, 106.1, 3WV, and more cover our recognition by Forbes as a top employer for women.
- Culpeper Times and Rappahannock News highlight the opening of our new primary care location, UVA Health Family Medicine and Same Day Care Dominion, in Culpeper.
Education
- UVA Curator of Historical Collections Meggan Cashwell and UVA Archivist Amanda Greenwood are featured on NBC29, CBS19, WINA, WRIC in Richmond, and other media outlets talking about the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library’s discovery of 19th century medical textbooks thought lost in the Rotunda fire.
- Dr. Jose Posas and Dr. Racheal Smetana talk about what parents should know about sports concussions (and our comprehensive concussion clinic) on MSN, Richmond’s WRIC, DC’s WTOP, and CBS19.
Happenings
Discounted Tickets for UVA Football
UVA Athletics is excited to give all UVA Health team members the opportunity to enjoy multiple games during the 2025 football season. To celebrate the immense impact you have on our community, UVA Athletics is offering a special discounted ticket rate to all UVA Health employees, as well as their friends and families. Details, schedule, and ticket purchasing.
New AAMC Publication
A new publication developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) — Empowering Wellness: Generalizable Approaches for Designing and Implementing Well-Being Initiatives Within Health Systems — features essays written by wellness leaders from across the country that describe programs they launched and implemented to create healthier, more supportive learning and work environments. The publication originated with the AAMC’s Council of Faculty and Academic Societies’ Faculty and Organizational Well-being Committee, which is focused on issues related to a thriving faculty across academic medicine.
Population Health Pediatric Supplies Drive
Through Friday, Sept. 19 | Your support will help Population Health’s pediatric patients and their families. To best serve our diverse patient needs, a curated Amazon wishlist has been created with a focus on infant and toddler supplies. Questions? Contact Amy Luu.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
- Bill Steers 5K | Sunday, Sept. 7 | 9 a.m. | Get ready to run for an important community cause: the fight against prostate cancer! This year, the Bill Steers 5K will be held during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to help raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and survivorship. All proceeds will support ongoing prostate cancer research by the Department of Urology. Learn more and register.
- Stay in the Game | These two community conversation and education sessions about prostate cancer will be led by UVA Health prostate cancer experts. Attendees can connect with cancer screening navigators to help them access screening resources. Learn more about the Stay in the Game initiative. Contact Claudette Grant at 434.243.4052 to sign up in advance.
UVA Arts Welcome Picnic
Sunday, Sept. 7 | 6-8 p.m. | The Betsy and John Casteen Arts Grounds | UVA Arts invites all UVA Health and UVA faculty, staff, and students to a free picnic with performances, information tables, and food and drink. Learn about curricular, extracurricular, programmatic, and volunteer opportunities. Details.
Research Computing Open House
Tuesday, Sept. 9 | 3-6 p.m. | Michie North, 918 Emmet St. North | Join UVA Research Computing for its first open house at Michie North. Explore demos of computing resources, meet their expert team, connect with peers and potential collaborators, and see how UVA researchers are using computing to drive innovation. RSVP preferred, but drop-ins welcome.
Medical Center Hour | The Leader's Role in Generating Operational and Qualitative Excellence
Wednesday, Sept. 10 | noon-1 p.m. | Leonard Sandridge Auditorium and Zoom | Michael N. Bundy, MBA, Senior Advisor, Value Capture, will explore how consistent execution of routine clinical practices — such as infection prevention bundles, timely lab follow-up, and hourly rounding — directly improves patient safety and outcomes. This Jessie Stewart Richardson Memorial Lecture in Patient Quality and Safety is provided by UVA School of Medicine and School of Nursing.
Valley Cares for Kids Radiothon
Wednesday, Sept. 10 | Hosted by Harrisonburg Media Group, Valley Cares for Kids Radiothon is an annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals event benefiting UVA Health Children’s. Tune in to one of eight participating stations to hear inspiring stories from our patient families, child life specialists, and community members. Stations airing the radiothon are: Rocktown Now News/Talk WSVA 92.1 FM and 550 AM; Q101; WSIG 96.9 FM; more96.1 FM; Rewind 105.1; Pure Oldies 101.3 FM; EZ 100.1 FM; and ESPN 106.9 FM and 1360 AM. They'll ask the community to "Give to Inspire Hope" for our smallest patients and their families.
- Volunteer | Live phone bank volunteers are needed. Sign up for a session (Sept. 10, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.).
- Ways to give | Call the volunteer-led phone bank at 434.924.1172, text VALLEYKIDS to 34984, or donate here.
Understanding the Emotional and Physical Stress From Caregiving
Thursday, Sept. 11 | 4-5 p.m. | Zoom | Presented by Paula Sherwood, PhD, RN, CNRN, FAAN, a nurse scientist who studies caregiver interventions for patients with brain cancers. Dr. Sherwood's presentation is part of UVA School of Nursing's Continuing Education “Updates From the Experts” series. Details.
Micro Health Breaks
Starts Monday, Sept. 15 | Zoom | Join Beth Frackleton for quick, ten-minute virtual sessions to refresh your mind and body — chair yoga, meditation, cardio, mindset work, and more. No registration required. Download the schedule to your Outlook calendar. Learn more.
Embrace Your Menopause Journey
Starts Tuesday, Sept 23 | Zoom | Join a five-week group to gain knowledge, confidence, and support through this transformative phase. Led by expert coaches; open to UVA, UVA Health, and UPG employees. Limited spots — email to register. Learn more.
2025 Edward W. Hook Jr., MD, Recent Advances in Clinical Medicine Conference
Oct. 22-24 | Omni Hotel | Step into the forefront of modern medicine at this conference — a premier, multidisciplinary event tailored for primary care clinicians committed to delivering cutting-edge, evidence-based care. Learn more and register.
2025 EMPOWER Conference
Saturday, Nov. 1 | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | The Forum Hotel | EMPOWER (Education for Medical Professionals to Optimize Weight Management Expertise and Resources) is a comprehensive, one-day conference designed specifically for primary care providers seeking foundational, evidence-based training in obesity medicine. Learn more and register.
Continuing Medical Education: Free Training in LGBTQ+ Patient Centered Care
Deadline: Friday, Dec. 19 | As a participant in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index, UVA Health team members have access to more than 200 free, on-demand, CME-accredited LGBTQ+ training options. These include interactive eLearning courses and webinars (live and recorded) from the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. To register for courses, click here, then use Facility ID: 55856.
All team members have access to participate in these free trainings (don’t forget to use our facility ID!) to improve care provided to patients seeking care at UVA Health. For more information, contact Bizz Glover.
Appreciation
‘Kind, Gentle, and Assuring’ | Kudos to Our UVA Health Colleagues
To best serve our community, UVA Health regularly surveys our patients on their healthcare experience. Below is a selection of feedback praising our team members:
- “The Riverside Surgical Clinic is one of the most beautifully staffed and run [clinics] in which I have ever been. All team members could not have been kinder, more patient, informed, and skilled. As difficult as the corneal transplant was, they were ready to attend to any of my needs or questions. I was extremely impressed by the organization at Riverside and wish that all health offices worked as well.”
- “Baridapdoo was great! You definitely have the right person as a receptionist. I observed a patient come into the reception, lost and looking for the right department. Baridapdoo was kind, gentle, and assuring to the patient, as well as instructing them in the right direction.”
- “Eva and Emily did a great job helping me with the CT simulation. They were kind, courteous, and explained everything. Ali Miles did an amazing job explaining the process and going over side effects with me. All three of those people are huge assets to [UVA Health]. What could have been a very stressful visit ended up being informative and helpful and stress-free.”
- “I was very impressed with the level of care, compassion, and generally positive attitude of all team members. Some working difficult hours, and all carrying a heavy patient load; none of that was relayed to the patient or affected the professional level of care. Whenever a team member walked into my room or encountered me in the hallway, I felt like I was in the company of friends and more importantly, very capable and compassionate medical professionals.”
Thank you to our team members for providing outstanding, compassionate, and safe care!
Previous Updates
Wednesday, Sept. 1
Brand Tip Series
Did you know UVA Health has specific guidelines and policies that cover everything from how our logo displays on promotional items to how we name locations? The Brand Tip Series is designed to give you practical information on UVA Health’s brand guidelines and policies. The brand.uvahealth.com site is open to all UVA Health team members (use your computing ID and password). Browse resources and read the FAQs for more information. And, if you have ideas for more tips, email rbrandonline.uvahealth.org.
Branding Tip #1: Using UVA Health Logos Correctly
When it comes to using logos in your materials, it's important to follow UVA Health’s branding guidelines to ensure consistency and clarity in our communications. Here are some key tips to keep in mind:
- Which logo to use? | For most consumer-facing materials, always opt for the UVA Health and UVA Health Children’s logos. For internal or academic audiences, the academic entity or medical center logos may be appropriate. Business-related logos, including UVA Community Health, are reserved for HR and recruiting purposes only.
- Creating your own logo | Please refrain from designing your own logos. Only approved logos should be used on official materials. For internal communications, operational groups, labs, and departments should use text as per the UVA Health signature system.
- Logo Lockups for Departments and Units | Only entities, medical centers, and specialty hospitals use a logo lockup. For other departments or service lines, please use the UVA Health logo and reference your specific clinic or program name in text. For special cases, like team apparel, contact the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications to create a custom treatment that ensures proper logo use.
By sticking to these guidelines, we can maintain a unified, professional brand across all communications.
Operations
Order Your Flu Vaccine To-Go Kit by Sept. 5
Flu season is approaching, and UVA Health is kicking off this year’s initiative: Flu Takes a Dive in ’25. To help keep our teams protected, unit leaders now can order Flu Vaccine To-Go Kits through Friday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m. Each kit includes everything needed for licensed vaccinators (RN, MD, LPN, CMA, or pharmacist) to administer flu shots in your unit. Before ordering, ensure you have a monitored medication refrigerator for safe vaccine storage.
To place an order, complete the order form and email it to vab4u@uvahealth.org as early as possible. Limited pick-up slots are available — select all dates that work for your team. Full details and requirements are on the Employee Health intranet. Thank you for helping us take the plunge against flu!
Monthly Update: Clinical and Operational Documents
Having a working knowledge of policies and other clinical and operational documents relevant to your role and responsibilities at University Medical Center supports quality patient care and regulatory compliance. Learn What’s New in Clinical and Operational Documents. This month’s highlights include:
- Updates to Parenteral Prostacyclin Therapy for Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) Adult Inpatients Guideline
- Updates to Antiemetic for Anti-Neoplastics in Adult Patients Guideline
- Updates to Influenza Vaccination (Pharmacists) Flu Order
- Updates to Influenza Vaccination (Nurses and MAs) Flu Order, and many more.
Questions? Email PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.
Construction: Gamma Knife Areas
Through Friday, Sept. 5 | To facilitate construction activities in the Gamma Knife areas on the ground floor of the Primary Care Center, a portion of the parking lot near the main loading dock will be cordoned off. Access to the main loading dock will be maintained and no commuter parking spaces will be impacted.
Expansion of the 2 North Surgical Observation Unit
From University Medical Center leadership: “On Sept. 16, 2025, we will expand the Surgical Observation Unit (SOU) from eight to 12 beds — broadening the populations we can serve and supporting additional surgical services. By January 2026, the SOU will reach its full capacity of 20 beds — further expanding inpatient access, reducing Post-Anesthesia Care Unit and Emergency Department boarding, improving patient throughput, and enhancing the overall care experience for those we serve.”
“Thank you to everyone who made this expansion a reality. This milestone represents far more than added beds — it reflects our shared commitment to reimagining care delivery and ensuring UVA Health continues to inspire hope for our community in ways small and big.” Read the full message on KnowledgeLink.
Population Health Program Intake Process
UVA Health’s Population Health team connects patients with services that address barriers to care — such as housing needs, behavioral health challenges, remote patient monitoring, or gaps in follow-up after discharge from the hospital, Emergency Department (ED), or ambulatory appointments.
How to refer a patient | Use the Epic order Population Health Program Intake or complete the flowsheet in the Epic Screening Tool. Briefly describe the concern. A Population Health team member will review the referral and connect the patient to the most appropriate program or service. Tip sheet.
Common referral reasons:
- Readmission risk or complex discharge
- ED overuse due to unmet social needs
- No established primary care provider or difficulty accessing care
- Social drivers of health concerns — food insecurity, unsafe housing, or language/literacy barriers
Learn more on the Population Health website.
Happenings
September: Team Member and Health Awareness
To support UVA Health’s mission of transforming health and inspiring hope — each month, we’re recognizing team member and health awareness months, weeks, and days. See the list on Connect.
Celebrate Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Recognition Week
Through Sept. 7 | Now in its 16th year, CNS Recognition Week honors nearly 90,000 clinical nurse specialists nationwide. The 2025 theme, “Collaborate,” highlights how CNSs partner across patients, nurses, and systems to transform care.
CNSs are advanced practice registered nurses who integrate advanced clinical judgment, population-specific expertise, and system-level leadership to deliver direct care, mentor the nursing workforce, and drive quality, safety, and value across healthcare environments.
Special news: The UVA Health CNS team has been nominated for the National APP Week “Team of the Year” Award. Awards presentation: Thursday, Sept. 25. From their nomination: “UVA Health’s CNS team turned collaboration into measurable results — leading interdisciplinary teams to achieve a 62.86% reduction in CAUTIs (SIR 0.40) and a 29% drop in CLABSIs (SIR 0.71) from FY24 to FY25 — preventing 30+ hospital-acquired conditions, including 28 HAPIs.”
Thank you to our CNS colleagues for your expertise, leadership, and commitment to collaborative, high-value care.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
- New Weekly Prostate Cancer Videos | This September, the Department of Urology is releasing a new prostate cancer video each week to celebrate Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. These short videos cover prostate cancer screening, treatment options, and recovery, and are intended for patients, families, and anyone interested in learning more about prostate cancer. Videos will be released on UVA Health’s YouTube channel and linked here each Wednesday:
- Sept. 3 | Prostate Cancer Screening | Dr. Tracy M. Downs
- Sept. 10 | Understanding Prostate Cancer Treatment Options | Dr. Kirsten Greene and Dr. Christopher Luminais
- Sept. 17 | Recovering Sexual Function After Prostate Cancer | Dr. Nicolas Ortiz
- Sept. 24 | Recovering Urinary Function After Prostate Cancer | Dr. Mei Tuong and Dr. Jackie Zillioux
- Bill Steers 5K | Sunday, Sept. 7 | 9 a.m. | Get ready to run for an important community cause: the fight against prostate cancer! This year, the Bill Steers 5K will be held during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to help raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and survivorship. All proceeds will support ongoing prostate cancer research by the Department of Urology. Learn more and register.
- Stay in the Game | These two community conversation and education sessions about prostate cancer will be led by UVA Health prostate cancer experts. Attendees can connect with cancer screening navigators to help them access screening resources. Learn more about the Stay in the Game initiative. Contact Claudette Grant at 434.243.4052 to sign up in advance.
Market Square
Weekly, Thursdays, through September | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Courtyard at MR5 | Shop for fresh produce, beautiful flowers, unique crafts, and delicious eats from local food trucks. Questions? Contact George Minor, UVA HR, Rewards and Recognition. This week’s vendors include:
- It’s Poppin Time (kettle korn)
- Tealiscious Cafe (tea)
- Racklett on the Run (cheese tots and sandwiches)
- Penny’s Imperfect Pizza (pizza)
- Mr. Baker (cakes)
- Too Brave Coffee (coffee)
- Miss Day Delights (desserts)
- Encanto Homestead Farms (veggies and flowers)
- RJ Courtney (woodwork)
- Little Manila (Filipino food)
Team Member Art Day
Thursday, Sept. 4 | 1-3 p.m. | University Hospital, Dining Conference Rooms 1, 2, and 3 | Drop in for a creative break in your day. All art supplies will be provided. Hosted by The Fralin Museum of Art at UVA and UVA Health. Free for all UVA Health team members.
Apply to R. Edward Howell Administrative Fellowship
Deadline: Friday, Sept. 5 | Program highlights include a two-year fellowship training program; participation in senior leadership meetings; rotations through service line and operational areas; and involvement in strategic, clinical, and operational projects. Program and application details. Questions? Contact AdminFellow@uvahealth.org.
Sign Up to Donate: Pediatric Sickle Cell Blood Drive
Monday, Sept. 8 | noon- 5 p.m. | Battle Building, Quayle Center, first floor | The need for blood from donors who are Black is urgent. Blood donors who are Black play a critical role in helping people with sickle cell disease, the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S. Sickle cell disease primarily affects those who are African American or of African descent. Patients with this disease may rely on regular blood transfusions throughout their lives. It is essential that the blood they receive be the most compatible match possible from someone of the same race or ethnicity. To register, contact Sharon Jones. Swag alert: Donate and receive one of four mystery T-shirts with an iconic Red Cross and Peanuts design.
Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Headshot
McKim Hall | Ground Floor, Room G045 | No appointment necessary. Bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided. Photos taken in 10 minutes or less on:
- Monday, Sept. 8 | 12:30-3:30 p.m. | Orthopedic Center Ivy Road, Wang Conference Room
- Tuesday, Sept. 16 | 1-4 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 26 | 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
UVA School of Nursing Admissions Info Sessions
Take the first step in furthering your education — join a Zoom info session:
- Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) | Tuesday, Sept. 9, 5:30 p.m., and Tuesday, Nov. 11, 5:30 p.m. | A master’s program that prepares nurse leaders to use evidence-based practice to strengthen healthcare quality and efficiency, solve unit- and system-wide challenges, boost staff retention and collaboration, and improve patient care and satisfaction.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | Wednesday, Sept. 10, 7:30 a.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 12, 5:30 p.m. | For clinicians who wish to become nurse practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists, the UVA’s DNP program empowers nurses to practice at the highest clinical level and offers robust preparation for one of eight certification exams of their choice.
- RN to BSN | Thursday, Sept. 18, 5:30 p.m., and Thursday, Nov. 20, 1:30 p.m. | Part-time, hybrid program offering working nurses who already have an associate's degree or nursing diploma — a pathway to earning personal, professional, and financial benefits of a BSN degree. In-person class once a month; balance of learning completed online.
- PhD | Tuesday, Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m. | With demand for nurse scientists and academics at an all-time high, UVA offers one of the nation's premier doctoral programs for future nurse scholars and scientists interested in contributing to the study of aging, healthcare technology, social determinants of health — and beyond.
Medical Center Hour | The Leader's Role in Generating Operational and Qualitative Excellence
Wednesday, Sept. 10 | noon-1 p.m. | Leonard Sandridge Auditorium and Zoom | Michael N. Bundy, MBA, Senior Advisor, Value Capture, will explore how consistent execution of routine clinical practices — such as infection prevention bundles, timely lab follow-up, and hourly rounding — directly improves patient safety and outcomes. This Jessie Stewart Richardson Memorial Lecture in Patient Quality and Safety is provided by UVA School of Medicine and School of Nursing.
Vascular Disease Lunch and Learn Series: Crossroads of Diabetes and Vascular Disease Prevention Through Screening
Wednesday, Sept. 10 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom or Primary Care Conference Room #2516 | Diabetes and vascular disease often intersect — sometimes with serious consequences. Join Caroline Tippett, DPM, Co-Director, Limb Preservation Service, for an engaging and informative session on how proactive screening can help prevent vascular complications before they start. Learn the link between diabetes and vascular disease, how early screening can save lives, and practical steps to reduce risk and protect vascular health. Lunch provided. Seating is limited so please contact Bernie Ammons to reserve a spot. Conference Room #2516 is in the back hall of the Primary Care Center, second floor. (Meeting ID: 9932538498, Passcode: 86520243) Learn more about Vascular and Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Month on Connect.
Mindfulness for Healthcare Employees Fall 2025 Course
Wednesdays, Sept. 10-Oct. 29 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | 560 Ray C. Hunt Dr. | The course can offer benefits in multiple areas, including reduced stress and increased well-being; improved balance between work and personal life; and better communication with patients and others. Instructors: Matthew Goodman, MD, and John Schorling, MD. A Silent Retreat will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free for UVA Health employees. Register.
Valley Cares for Kids Radiothon
Wednesday, Sept. 10 | Hosted by Harrisonburg Media Group, Valley Cares for Kids Radiothon is an annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals event benefiting UVA Health Children’s. Tune in to one of eight participating stations to hear inspiring stories from our patient families, child life specialists, and community members. Stations airing the radiothon are: Rocktown Now News/Talk WSVA 92.1 FM and 550 AM; Q101; WSIG 96.9 FM; more96.1 FM; Rewind 105.1; Pure Oldies 101.3 FM; EZ 100.1 FM; and ESPN 106.9 FM and 1360 AM. They'll ask the community to "Give to Inspire Hope" for our smallest patients and their families.
- Volunteer | Live phone bank volunteers are needed. Sign up for a session (Sept. 10, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.).
- Ways to give | Call the volunteer-led phone bank at 434.924.1172, text VALLEYKIDS to 34984, or donate here.
Understanding the Emotional and Physical Stress From Caregiving
Thursday, Sept. 11 | 4-5 p.m. | Zoom | Presented by Paula Sherwood, PhD, RN, CNRN, FAAN, a nurse scientist who studies caregiver interventions for patients with brain cancers. Dr. Sherwood's presentation is part of UVA School of Nursing's Continuing Education “Updates From the Experts” series. Details.
Frontiers in Clinical AI: Advancing Medical Innovation Through Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Wednesday, Sept. 17 | 1-6 p.m. | Leonard Sandridge Auditorium | Register | This symposium will highlight UVA’s leadership in clinical AI, with sessions on early warning systems, precision medicine, and ethical frameworks. It’s a great opportunity to connect clinicians and scientists, showcase innovative research, and spark new collaborations. Details.
The Science and Art of Good Conversation
Thursday, Sept. 18 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Explore the psychology of good conversation: what makes it flow, why we doubt ourselves, how it contributes to social well-being, and how to have more enjoyable, meaningful interactions with others. Hoos Well reward-eligible. Learn more and register.
UVA Health Cardiovascular Disease in Women Symposium
Saturday, Nov. 1 | 7 a.m.-4 p.m. | UVA Student Health & Wellness | Register | This educational program addresses critical gaps in clinician awareness and training regarding sex-specific differences in cardiovascular disease, such as SCAD, CMD, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. It aims to improve the application of guideline-directed therapies and increase the representation of women in cardiovascular clinical trials, thus enhancing evidence-based care. The program will provide education on emerging diagnostic tools, risk stratification, and management strategies tailored to women's cardiovascular health. It also highlights systemic barriers and advocates for multidisciplinary care models to optimize outcomes and promotes increased participation of women in cardiovascular research.
Appreciation
UVA Health Outpatient Pharmacies Hit 1 Million Medications Milestone
For the first time, UVA Health Outpatient Pharmacies dispensed 1 million medications in a single year. This achievement is about more than volume. It’s about our pharmacy team’s commitment to meeting the needs of our patients by going above and beyond during a time of growth.
“We weren’t aiming for a specific target,” says Chief Pharmacy Officer Danielle Griggs, PharmD, MBA, MS. “We have been responding to patient and community needs, growing and expanding across all of our locations, and offering a high level of service and care, so patients want to stay within the UVA Health outpatient pharmacy network for their pharmacy needs.” Read more on Connect.
