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Every quarter — UVA Health recognizes Uteam Members of the Month for their outstanding service and commitment to our ASPIRE values. Congratulations to the latest winners, honored during the Uteam Member of the Month Quarterly Breakfast in January 2026 in the Education Resource Center: 

University Medical Center 

‘Empathy, Humility, and Professionalism' 

Casey Ackerman, RN, Emily Couric Cancer Center Infusion 
Nominated by: Brenda Griswold 

“Exceptional demonstration of equity, compassion, and professionalism in nursing! Her recent interaction with a hearing-impaired patient exemplifies how she lives out the core values of inclusive, patient-centered care. 
 
“When Casey saw this patient ... she immediately took steps to ensure he felt respected, heard, and fully included. Recognizing his hearing impairment, Casey used the sign language skills she had, despite feeling her knowledge was limited. She had been encouraged by a professor to embrace such opportunities with courage and care, and she did exactly that. She is working on becoming a nurse practitioner.
 
“What followed was a beautiful exchange: laughter, connection, and comfort. The patient visibly lit up during their interaction. He wasn’t just being treated — he was being seen. Casey’s willingness to communicate in his language, even imperfectly, sent a powerful message: that every patient deserves to feel understood and valued, no matter the barriers. 
 
“This is what equity in healthcare looks like: meeting patients where they are, removing obstacles to connection, and ensuring no one feels invisible. Casey didn’tallow a communication challenge to become a care gap. Instead, she leaned in with empathy, humility, and professionalism. 
 
“Throughout the encounter, she maintained the highest standards of clinical care, ensuring the patient received excellent treatment while also feeling emotionally supported. Moments of healing are not just physical, but emotional and human. 
 
“Casey showed what it means to lead with heart and skill. Her actions reflect a deep commitment to inclusive care and a strong professional ethic. She didn’t justmake a difference — she embodied the difference we all strive to make!” 

‘True Change Agent' 

Paula Edwards, Clinical Program Coordinator, Ambulatory, Stem Cell Transplant Unit 
Nominated by: Rachele Olivier, MSN, RN, 8W Stem Cell, Nurse Manager, UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center 

“One of Paula’s sincere desires is to ensure team members feel supported and confident in the care they provide to our stem cell transplant patients. Paula willfully connected with other NECs in other clinical areas to learn of their processes; gleaning bits and pieces of what better could look like. At a systems level, Paula worked closely with Point of Care labs to improve the workflow of initial and annual competency forms. Through their collaboration and learnings, Paula empowered frontline team members to serve as unit super users to enhance the onboarding experience of new team members.  

“Paula’s commitment to patient-centered care in a very complex patient care setting does not go unnoticed. When there is a new clinical trial or regimen on the horizon, Paula lights up with genuine excitement! Not only does she enjoy nursing research, but Paula also thrives on the opportunity to teach her peers something new to support their professional growth and engage their critical thinking. Paula has been conducting a research project with cytotherapy to standardize the administration of bone marrow cells by way of an infusion pump. She calls this project her 'baby' and the team is enthusiastically supporting her through this process, as she would for them. 

“One thing I admire about Paula is her natural ability to engage others in owning their clinical practice and obtaining buy-in from the frontline. Paula took initiative to engage key stakeholders to make the necessary MAR changes. Paula is an active participant — a true change agent. She strives to see how to help move a process along, and does not shy away from bringing others along with her, so they may learn, too. 

“In my short time as the unit manager, I am overwhelmingly grateful for Paula and the person she is. Her ability to cultivate an environment where nurses feel empowered, informed, and valued. Her forward-thinking, patient-centered approach to process improvement is invaluable. Paula is undoubtedly dedicated to her peers, patients, and nursing practice. Paula, thank you for elevating the unit standard of education, enhancing team dynamics, and improving team memberconfidence in managing the complex needs of our patients.” 

‘Grace and Foresight'

Amy Flevarkis, Access Supervisor, Allergy, Nephrology, and Infectious Disease 

Nominated by: Jeff Eavey, Veronica Anderson, and ID Interprofessional Team 

“Amy is one of the most genuine and effective leaders we have had the privilege to work alongside. She embodies kindness, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to her team and our patients. Every interaction with Amy reinforces her remarkable ability to lead with both heart and excellence. 

“Amy’s leadership is rooted in visibility, respect, and service. She is consistently present and approachable: supporting frontline access associates, nursing, and provider teams by resolving patient scheduling challenges and ensuring every clinic day runs smoothly. She leads by example — never hesitating to step in and help wherever needed. She is always willing to jump in to answer phones, assist with check-in or check-out, and provide guidance with patience and understanding. Her thoughtful gestures — such as offering lunch to the entire team during high-volume days — reflect her genuine appreciation for the people she leads.

“Behind the scenes, Amy’s organizational skills and calm, solutions-driven mindset keep complex operations running seamlessly. During the One Team United on Access Wave 4B initiative, she played an essential role in preparing her teams, supporting providers and nursing, and ensuring patients experienced uninterrupted care. Her ability to balance competing demands with grace and foresight transformed a challenging transition into a success story. 

“Amy also takes the meaningful initiative of strengthening workplace culture and connection. She led efforts to create a shared breakroom for clinicians, providers, and access associates, fostering collaboration and mutual respect across roles. In addition, she actively participates in the Infectious Disease/Traveler’s Clinic Nursing Professional Governance (NPG) Committee, ensuring that frontline perspectives and access-related insights are represented consistently in shared decision-making.

“Amy continuously fosters a culture of teamwork, growth, and positivity. She advocates for her team, celebrates their successes, and holds them accountable withcompassion and fairness. Her influence extends beyond her assigned departments. She models our ASPIRE values that drive UVA Health forward. Amy’s leadership has helped to propel multiple patient experiences and clinical metrics into positive territories. 

“For her steadfast dedication, servant leadership, and authentic care for people and processes — Amy exemplifies what it means to live UVA Health ASPIRE values each day.

“As Sydnee Raphael, RN, Care Coordinator for Infectious Disease, shared in support of this nomination: ‘Amy brings a calm and reassuring presence to the clinic. She is a natural problem solver, quick to help with immediate or long-term challenges. She’s helped graciously with everything from computer issues to providing guidance and a listening ear during moments of frustration. Her professionalism and kindness earn her the respect of physicians and other team members. Amy treats everyone — from patients to colleagues — with dignity and thoughtfulness, making her approachable and deeply valued. She is truly an exceptional member of the ID team and deserving of this recognition.’” 

‘Incredibly Kind’ 

Carlita Hairston, Certified Medical Assistant, Senior 
Nominated by: Hannah Van Balen 

"Only two weeks into my role, I made a mistake as a new manager, advising my team that they should arrive at 10 a.m. since snow had delayed our clinic opening until 10 a.m. Unfortunately, since our first appointments were supposed to start at that time, I should have asked the team to arrive a little beforehand!  

"Carlita demonstrated professionalism by arriving early to our clinic, recognizing the rest of the team was still making their way in, and rooming all the 10 a.m. patients promptly and with a smile.

"Carlita demonstrated empathy for myself as a new manager by ensuring the patients were cared for and giving me some suggestions for smoother operations on our next snow day. She said not one negative word — just, 'There are a lot of patients, and I'm taking care of getting them roomed.'    

"She was incredibly kind throughout the whole process, ensuring an already stressful day was not thrown further off-course. I appreciate her immensely and am delighted to nominate her!” 

‘Selfless Gesture’ 

AJ Milligan, Emergency Medical Technician Trainee, Earn While You Learn, Talent Flex 
Nominated by: Nicole Henley 

“AJ exemplifies the highest standards of compassion, teamwork, service, and patient-centered commitment reflected in our ASPIRE values. He consistently demonstrates a caring manner and strong customer focus, meeting the needs of those around him with genuine attentiveness and grace. His recent act of kindness serves as a clear example of his character: on a snowy morning, he arrived early to class with his own shovel in hand and began clearing snow at Colony Plaza. Without being asked, he took it upon himself to create a safer path for students, faculty, and team members, ensuring everyone could arrive safely despite the weather conditions. 

“This selfless gesture also highlights how naturally AJ works well with others and makes our department a better place to work. His actions foster a spirit of community and support, reminding us small acts of service can profoundly strengthen the environment in which we learn and work.

“AJ also consistently serves as a role model through his positive attitude, reliability, and willingness to step forward when help is needed. His behavior reflects a deep commitment to safety and patient-centered care, demonstrating an understanding that caring for people begins long before they reach the clinical setting. 

“As a former transporter and now EWYL trainee, AJ has offered his perspective on challenges/opportunities related to the new patient transport specialist role. His knowledge of the transporter role as well as the training received in the EWYL class, provides a unique perspective on how to combine these roles to keep our patients safe.  

“AJ’s initiative, kindness, and genuine regard for the wellbeing of others are truly admirable. His actions that snowy morning, and every day, represent the very best of UVA Health!” 

‘Solutions-Oriented Mindset’ 

Hallie Proco, Transplant Coordinator – RN 
Nominated by: Rachel Anderson  

“In just a few short months since joining our team, Hallie has made an extraordinary impact through her initiative, creativity, and deep sense of responsibility. She has demonstrated the ASPIRE values of accountability and stewardship in ways that have meaningfully improved the patient and team experience during an especially demanding time. 

“Our inpatient lung transplant team approached a record year for transplant volumes. Hallie proactively carved out dedicated time each day to meet with patients and families for education, coordinated scheduling to ensure continuity, and developed a clear communication system with the inpatient team. In addition, she is creating an education repository in Microsoft Teams to ensure the process continues seamlessly even when she is away.

“Hallie’s approach exemplifies accountability: she identifies needs, takes responsibility for outcomes, and follows through with thoughtful, sustainable solutions. Her work also reflects stewardship, as she is improving how our team uses time and knowledge resources to enhance patient education, ensuring lasting benefits for both staff and patients. 

“Hallie also brings a cheerful attitude, openness to feedback, and a dynamic, solution-oriented mindset. She continually looks for ways to improve the learning experience for patients, including evaluating and enhancing educational video materials. Her positivity, professionalism, and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable member of our team and a truly deserving recipient of the Uteam Award.” 

University Physicians Group 

‘Role Model’ 

Christine Rudge, Senior Director, Human Resources and Physician Employment, UPG Human Resources 
Nominated by: Kate Schoenster, Employment Cycle Coordinator, Department of Pediatrics

“Christine consistently ensures stakeholders receive timely, clear, and empathetic updates on matters that directly affect our teams and providers. Recent examples include her communications regarding benefits analyses for candidates and important employment actions, which helped leaders and coordinators address questions quickly and support team members with minimal disruption. 
 
“Christine’s collaboration with HR partners is visible in her participation in recurring meetings where she engages constructively to align physician employment processes with academic and clinical needs. Her cooperative approach helps us work as one UVA Health team — improving handoffs among HR, clinics, and department leadership. 
“Christine makes the department a better place to work and should serve as a role model to us all. Through professional, transparent, and respectful communication — Christine models UVA Health’s ASPIRE values: accountability, stewardship, professionalism, integrity, respect, and empathy in everyday interactions. Her steadiness and integrity invite trust, and her focus on people-first decisions reinforces a culture where team members feel informed, respected, and empowered.” 

‘Indispensable Asset’ 

Jennifer W. Stover, Provider Recruitment Strategy, UPG HR 
Nominated by: Kate Schoenster 

“Jennifer consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication and expertise in her role, making her an indispensable asset to UVA Health. 
 
“Her contributions to the per diem offer letter process have been nothing short of essential. Jennifer ensures every detail is accurate and timely, streamlining a complex workflow with precision and care. Her proactive communication and thorough understanding of benefit eligibility and clinical lease initiation have been instrumental in keeping our operations running smoothly. 
 
“Beyond her administrative excellence, Jennifer plays a pivotal role in provider recruitment. Her strategic insights and coordination efforts have significantly strengthened our recruitment pipeline, as reflected in our recurring meetings focused on pediatric recruitment needs. 
 
“Jennifer’s collaborative spirit, reliability, and deep institutional knowledge make her a standout colleague. Her work not only supports her team and other departments, but also enhances the broader mission of UVA Health. 
 
“Jennifer exemplifies the values of Uteam through her professionalism, initiative, and accountability. She is truly deserving of this recognition!” 

UVA School of Medicine 

‘Keeping Team Goals and Values — Front and Center’ 

Jessica Copeland, Clinical Department Assistant Administrator, Pediatrics 
Nominated by: Kate Schoenster

“Jessie exemplifies UVA Health’s ASPIRE values in every facet of her leadership and collaboration. 

“Jessica’s accountability is evident in her consistent follow-through and proactive coordination across HR and recruitment workflows. Whether organizing our department’s HR tasks or leading strategic discussions, she ensures every initiative is executed with precision and purpose. 
 
“Jessica’s professionalism and integrity are unmatched. She communicates with clarity, leads with empathy, and models ethical decision-making. Her leadership in meetings demonstrates her ability to navigate complex systems while keeping team goals and values — front and center.

“She treats every colleague with respect, creating a collaborative environment where ideas are welcomed and contributions are valued. Her inclusive approach has strengthened cross-functional relationships and elevated team morale. 

“Jessie is a pillar of UVA Health’s culture and a true embodiment of the ASPIRE values. Her leadership, dedication, and compassion make her an ideal candidate for this recognition.” 

‘Personifies Professionalism’ 

Emily Schneider, Associate Director of Faculty Affairs 
Nominated by: Jessica Copeland  

“Emily demonstrates exemplary stewardship through her dedication to improving processes and using resources responsibly. Since assuming her role as Associate Director of Faculty Affairs, she has sought opportunities actively to clarify and streamline workflows such as addressing ambiguous wording in policies and defining clear role delineations between departments, HR, and Faculty Affairs. 

“Her commitment to continual learning is evident in the way she approaches questions. If she does not know an answer, she researches the relevant policies, consults with Dr. Pollart as needed — and then provides a clear, well-informed explanation. This proactive and thoughtful approach not only enhances efficiency but also ensures that all stakeholders are aligned and operating with accurate information, embodying the principles of responsible management and continuous improvement. 
 
“Emily personifies professionalism by approaching every interaction with kindness, helpfulness, and responsiveness. In a large department such as Pediatrics, with more than 170 faculty members and many frequent questions, her extensive knowledge allows her to provide accurate information quickly. She never makes colleagues feel uninformed for not knowing a process or rule — instead, she fosters an environment of respect and learning. 

“She’s especially adept at navigating complex situations. For instance, when we recently faced a hiring scenario unlike any we had encountered, Emily did not simply state it could not be done; instead, she collaborated with us over several weeks to develop a creative solution that satisfied the needs of the candidate, the department, and Faculty Affairs. Her dedication, problem-solving skills, and collaborative spirit directly support the delivery of excellent care. 
 
“Our department truly values and appreciates Emily’s expertise, dedication, and the positive impact she has on our team every day!”

Congratulations to the Uteam Members of the Month, and thank you to all our UVA Health team members who support our UVA Health ASPIRE values and strategic plans goals and initiatives every day!