Connect

This is the latest installment in our Connect article series “Hope at Work” — showcasing inspiring stories about how our team members contribute to UVA Health’s strategic plan: “One Future Together Health and Hope for All.”  No matter where you work, you have an opportunity to inspire hope in others. These stories show how:

Home Away From Home 

For more than 35 years — UVA Health Hospitality House has served as a haven for patients ages 18 and older who live more than 60 miles from Charlottesville, Virginia, and either receive world-class treatment at UVA Health University Medical Center  — or help take care of someone who does. Each guest pays $10 a night. On an average night, there are about two dozen guests at the 14^th Street location, which is only a few blocks away from the hospital. Guests come from across the country and around the globe — California to Texas to Rhode Island, Jamaica to Peru, and more — and on average, they stay from one night to eight weeks. 

Fostering Healthy Communities 

Supervisor Mary A. Jackson has been there every step of the way, working at Hospitality House for 35+ years — always with a smile — giving tours, making reservations, helping guests sign in and out, cooking meals, stocking snacks and toiletries, ordering supplies, helping guests catch the free shuttle to reach their medical appointments, and perhaps most importantly — offering an empathetic ear and keeping guests comfortable while they’re braving some of the most challenging times of their lives.

After all, empathy is an ASPIRE value — Mary is fostering an environment of compassion, engagement, and understanding to build trust and support for our patients, families, team members, and communities. 

Hospitality House guests include adult patients undergoing UVA Health treatment for conditions ranging from cancers such as leukemia, to lung conditions and Parkinson’s — or ongoing outpatient services, surgeries, etc. Other guests are patients’ adult family members or caregivers. 

‘A Godsend’ 

All day, Mary, an Orange County, Virginia resident — who’s made the nearly one-hour drive to her native Charlottesville every day for 30 years and moved with Hospitality House through six sites over the decades — is serving others. So what brings joy to her in the role? “Knowing I’m helping people, sometimes even making friends — some stay in touch for years afterward,” she answers in an interview during which she somehow still finds time to courteously check in several guests. 

“The front table is overflowing with thank you notes from guests who praise Mary’s customer service and call her a godsend,” describes Elle Hogan, Manager, Patient Lodging and Support Services, Hospitality House. “Mary feels best when helping other people, and by doing that, every day she helps fulfill UVA Health’s mission of transforming health inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond!”

Mary and the staff — including Marjorie Riddle, Tom Bninski, Sarah Beiler, Jan Burkett, and Barbara Matysek — often are praised in online reviews: 

• “Mary is amazing! She makes you feel welcome and at home. Which is needed and appreciated.” 

• “Kudos to Mary and each and every one on staff for being so kind, courteous, and professional. She goes above and beyond to ensure everyone feels comfortable! It takes away the stress of an expensive hotel while you are with a loved one going through medical needs.”  

• "On Thanksgiving, Hospitality House provides an excellent dinner! Food is hand-prepared and delicious. I truly appreciate all that they do for my family, making sure we are all taken care of in our time of need.”  

Giving Thanks 

And indeed, this Thanksgiving — for those guests who can’t be home with their loved ones for the holiday — Mary will be at Hospitality House serving traditional fixings and some of her specialties such as turkey wings, corn pudding, sweet potatoes, and more. And since she won’t be at her own home on the holiday, her relatives will be by her side at Hospitality House, lending hands. 

It may (or may not) be Mary’s last time at the helm of that holiday meal. In October 2026, she plans to retire. But Mary says she'll keep her foot in the Hospitality House door. She plans to work part-time, still providing health and hope for all! 

SPARE TIME 

What’s Mary up to outside of work? She loves to cook, collect elephant decor (she’s maxed out at 400 pieces!), and decorate for the holidays (at Hospitality House and at her Orange County home). 

And on TV — Mary loves to watch her beloved Dallas Cowboys play football (gasp, for a Virginia native!) and the drama and comedy of Tyler Perry movies.
 

Pitching In

‘Tis the season for giving! You can volunteer at or donate to Hospitality House.

Volunteer by preparing meals, participating in activities, helping develop a Serenity Garden on the property, and/or decorating for the holidays. 

Or, check out the Hospitality House Wish List ...

◌ Canned goods (e.g., chicken, fruit, tuna, vegetables); macaroni and cheese kits, pasta, pasta sauce, ramen noodles, rice; pancake mix and syrup; peanut butter and jelly; small bags of chips, cookies, crackers; gelatin and pudding; popcorn; trail mix; bottled water; coffee, coffee filters, cream and sugar packets; soda. (No expired items, please.)

◌ Toiletries such as combs, hairbrushes, shampoo, and conditioner; deodorant; feminine products; lotion; shaving cream and razors; and toothbrushes and toothpaste.

◌ Magazine subscriptions, gift cards to local grocery stores, and phone chargers.

... then please contact Mary A. Jackson to schedule a drop off date and time at 205 14th Street NW, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22903. Thank you for your consideration!