USB Storage Devices Will No Longer Be Allowed on Health System PCs Starting This Spring 

To strengthen our cyber defenses, starting in March, UVA Health will begin blocking the use of USB storage devices (e.g., “thumb” drives and other external storage drives) on all UVA Health personal computers (PCs). The blocking initiative will roll out in phases, starting with a pilot for inpatient room PCs which began on Jan. 27, and expanding to other areas starting in March. Instead of USB devices, team members should use their Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage account for secure data storage. To learn more about the USB blocking initiative, including a project timeline and FAQs, visit Connect. 

Operations 

Help Us Improve Our Winter Weather Response 

Thank you for the professionalism, flexibility, and teamwork you demonstrated during the recent weather event. Whether you were providing direct care, supporting operations, adjusting schedules, or helping colleagues behind the scenes — your efforts made a real difference for our patients and for one another.  
 
As we continue to improve how we prepare for and respond to future weather events, we want to hear from you. Please take a couple minutes to complete a short survey to share your experience and help inform our next response. Your feedback is important and will directly shape how we plan moving forward.   
 
Thank you again for your dedication and commitment to UVA Health. 

Providers: Supercharge Your Epic Experience by Becoming a Power User 

An Epic Provider Power User serves as a peer resource for day-to-day Epic questions about workflows and practices; shares feedback with Epic Training and Clinical Informatics to help improve the Epic experience; and supports onboarding, upgrades, and workflow changes. Power Users receive additional Epic training that helps them work more efficiently while also positioning them to support their colleagues. They also are invited to exclusive monthly Provider Power User meetings and events where they can share feedback to help shape Epic at UVA Health and be the first to learn about new features and upgrades. To learn more, visit Connect or complete the Provider Power User interest form now. 

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. January’s highlights include updates to:    

• Off Unit and Bedside OR Cases SOP. 
• Emergency Blood for Baby With or Without MRN SOP. 
• Management of Cardiopulmonary Bypass During Pregnancy TCV Perfusion SOP. 
• Admissions From Emergency Department Medical Center Policy, and many more. 

Questions? Email PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org. 

UVA to Test Emergency Notification System 

Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 10:50-11 a.m. | Rescheduled due to winter weather; please note the new date. During this time, the University will test all components of its emergency notification system. When the test is over, a “test complete” message will be issued. UVA’s siren and public address system will be included in the test. All current students, faculty, staff, and UVA Health team members with a valid UVA email account will automatically receive an email alert. Students, faculty, staff, and UVA Health team members who provided a phone number during orientation or onboarding also will automatically receive a text alert. For details, refer to the Jan. 20 email from Jennifer (J.J.) Wagner Davis, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Timothy J. Longo Sr., Associate Vice President for Safety and Security and Chief of Police. 

Human Resources 

Benefits Wednesday: Meet a Counselor 

Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | University Hospital, Dining Conference Room 3 | Ask questions and discuss your benefits with a Human Resources counselor. Walk-ins welcome. See monthly dates. 

Get to Know the Refreshed Hoos Well Portal for 2026 

Tuesday, Feb. 17 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Join the Hoos Well team for a reward-eligible live demonstration webinar of the refreshed Hoos Well portal. Learn how you can continue paving the road to improved wellbeing as you earn up to $500 in cash rewards throughout 2026. Learn more and register. 

Team Member Discount Available From UVA Health LASIK Northridge 

All UVA Health and UVA academic team members and all UVA students are eligible for a 10% discount on LASIK procedures from UVA Health LASIK Northridge. LASIK is not covered by most insurance plans (including the UVA Health Plan). The out-of-pocket cost is $2,500 per eye, so UVA employees and students can save $250 per eye. To receive the discount, simply inform the scheduling team that you are a UVA employee or student when you schedule your initial evaluation with the clinic. To make an appointment, call 434.982.2010. 

Happenings 

February: UVA Health Team Member and Health Awareness 

To support our UVA Health mission of transforming health and inspiring hope — each month, we recognize team member and health awareness months, weeks, and days. See the list.

UVA Health Heart and Vascular Center Third Annual Food Drive  

Through Saturday, Feb. 28 | Most needed items include staples (canned fruits, low-sugar/sodium vegetables), proteins (nut butters, canned tuna/chicken, dry beans), grains (cereal, pasta, rice, oatmeal, mac and cheese), meal makers (soups, stews, chilis, low-sodium pasta sauce), seasonings (cooking oils, dried herbs and spices), and non-food items (toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, baby formula, diapers, baby food). No glass please. There are four ways to donate:  

• Drop off any non-perishable donations at any of the food bins located throughout the Heart and Vascular Center. 
• Make a monetary donation.  
• Go online to Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.  
• Visit the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, 1207 Harris Street, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22903. 

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:  

• Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.  
• Monday, Feb. 9 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.   
• Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  
• Thursday, Feb. 26 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 

ECHO | Clinical Obesity Management: Interprofessional Perspectives 

This series aims to enhance clinician competence in obesity management by offering expert-led sessions across essential domains, fostering better patient outcomes through interdisciplinary learning and collaboration. All sessions start at noon and contain lectures, case presentations, and Q&A sections. Details and registration.   

• Thursday, Feb. 5 | Treatment of Adolescent Obesity      
• Thursday, Feb. 19 | Managing Acute Obesity Medication and Side Effects      
• Thursday, March 5 | Intermittent Fasting 

National Wear Red Day — Send Your Photos to Us 

Friday, Feb. 6 | Uniting millions worldwide to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and stroke prevention for all with a focus on women’s health. Chances are, we all know a woman affected by heart disease and stroke because cardiovascular disease claims the lives of more women than all cancers combined. Together, we can change this — because there is nothing women united with purpose cannot achieve. Email photos of you (and/or your colleagues) wearing your best red outfits on Feb. 6 and we’ll share them on Connect. (Please include name(s) and department in photo submissions.) 

Tiny Packages With Big Impact: EV Workshop 

Feb. 7-11 | Offers comprehensive, cutting-edge training in extracellular vesicles (EV), tailored for professionals and researchers seeking to advance their expertise. This is an excellent opportunity to gain practical insights and engage with leading experts in the field. The five-day program Includes inspiring talks, dynamic sessions, and hands-on workshops. Learn more and register. 

Early Career Professionals at UVA 

Starts Wednesday, Feb. 11 | Rescheduled due to weather; please note the new date. This six-month series is designed to help new graduates and early career staff thrive personally and professionally. Build connections, master workplace essentials, and discover UVA benefits — all while setting down roots in Charlottesville. Learn more and register. 

Black History Month Gospel Concert 

Friday, Feb. 13 | 6:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theater | Featuring Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and worship leader Chandler Moore, a former member of the Maverick City Music collective. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a pre-show from VCU's Black Awakening Choir. Opening performance by singer-songwriter Madison Ryann Ward. Free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets. Sponsored by UVA Division for Community Engagement and Equal Opportunity. 

Valve Week Lunch and Learn Series 

• Tricuspid Interventions in Patients with Pacemakers | Wednesday, Feb. 25 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Inga Melvinsdottir, MD, will discuss jailed pacemaker leads in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR). (Meeting ID: 98164763344, Passcode: 66103512) 
• Valvular Heart Disease and Therapies | Friday, Feb. 27 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom or Blue Ridge Conference Room | John Saxon, MD will share insights on valvular heart disease and current therapeutic approaches. Seating is limited, and a complimentary box lunch will be provided to in-person attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. (Meeting ID: 94393441116, Passcode: 10248138) 

2026 Johns Wooten Neurology Symposium 

Saturday, May 9 | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | UVA Student Health and Wellness | This symposium brings together faculty from the UVA Department of Neurology to cover a range of updates and hot topics in the field. Includes focused updates in the diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis, restless leg syndrome, and Parkinson’s Disease, as well as novel therapeutics and recent clinical trials in brain tumors. Learn more and register. 

Appreciation 

Extraordinary Teamwork 

UVA Health’s Earn While You Learn (EWYL) is marking a major milestone — recently graduating the first cohort of its new Surgical Technologist (ST) certification program. “We are beyond thrilled!” exclaims EWYL Director Beth Mehring, MSN, RN. “I’m very pleased UVA Health University Medical Center leadership has supported this effort in such a big way — as it is likely the best way we can ensure we have the STs needed.” 

Lori Mays, MSN, RN, Perioperative Services Education Manager, adds: “This is just the beginning of building a stronger, more skilled, and more cohesive perioperative team at UVA Health!” 

See graduation photos and read more on Connect about the program and the first cohort: Rebecca Waje, Ajmal Ghafari, and Allison Loya. Congratulations! 

In addition to Surgical Technologist — EWYL programs include Access Associate, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Patient Care Technician (PCT), Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, and Sterile Processing Technician. 

To learn more, join an EWYL General Information Session on Feb. 12, 3-4 p.m. 

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