3.2.2026
Healthy Spark: How a UVA Health Grant Helps ‘Boxes of Basics’ Support Children and Keep Up With Increasing Community Needs
3.2.2026
UVA Health Update | March 2, 2026
UVA Health Discoveries Up for 2025’s Biggest Scientific Advance
For the eighth year in a row, major medical discoveries from UVA Health have been selected to compete for the title of the preceding year’s most important scientific advance.
The public’s vote ultimately will crown the winner in the online contest, called STAT Madness. The bracket-style tournament is sponsored each year by the prominent health news site STAT to highlight the nation’s most important and influential scientific research. UVA Health’s entrants:
- Harald Sontheimer, PhD, and his team discovered why Alzheimer’s patients lose their ability to recognize loved ones, opening the door to new treatments.
- Jie Sun, PhD, and colleagues identified an unknown cellular mechanism that drives long COVID. Their research also revealed an existing drug that could benefit patients.
Voting opened this morning, and you can (and should!) vote daily here.
STAT Madness operates like the NCAA basketball tournament, with contenders facing off in rounds until there are only two finalists and, ultimately, one big winner. Read more on Connect.
Patient Care
E-Consent Form Now Available in Spanish
A Spanish-language version of the UVA Health base electronic consent form is now available in Epic:
- When a provider indicates that an interpreter is present and the patient’s documented primary language is Spanish, the base e-consent form will automatically populate in Spanish.
- Any additional information (risks, benefits, answers to patient questions, etc.) must be explained verbally, via the interpreter.
If you have any questions about the Spanish-language e-consent form, please submit a ticket via UVA Health ServiceNow. For urgent issues, call the HIT Service Desk at 434.924.5334.
Operations
Universal Masking Will Lift in Emergency Department on March 3
Universal masking in the Emergency Department (ED) will lift on March 3, thanks to a decline in regional flu and respiratory illnesses. In place of universal masking requirements, the ED will implement passive screening. The Transplant inpatient unit, clinic, and infusion center also will lift universal masking requirements on March 3. All team members should continue to practice routine prevention habits — hand hygiene, symptom monitoring, and staying home when sick. Thank you for all that you do to keep patients, families, and team members safe!
Reminder: Parking at Fontaine and Riding the New Purple Line
Starting Monday, March 9 | Team members who currently park at Emmet/Ivy will be directed to park at Fontaine Parking Garage, 1055 Natural Resources Drive, and ride a dedicated shuttle to and from University Medical Center. This change provides access to a newer parking facility with greater availability while supporting a more reliable and consistent parking experience.
To support this change, we’re launching the Purple Line, a new shuttle service that consolidates existing Red and Blue lines into one route, providing direct service between Fontaine Parking Garage and University Medical Center. Once launched, the Purple Line will provide:
- Frequent bus service, with pickups every 3-5 minutes.
- Direct, reliable transportation between Fontaine and University Hospital.
- A convenient and predictable commute experience.
No additional permit is required to park at Fontaine Parking Garage. An existing Commuter permit is valid at both Fontaine Research Park (garage only) and Scott Stadium. In addition, team members who park at Fontaine Parking Garage will continue to be eligible for monthly parking reimbursement. Read more on Connect or visit the Parking and Transportation website.
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. February’s highlights include:
- New Blood Culture Collection SOP
- Updates to Adult Antimicrobial Renal Dosing Guideline
- New Ambulation Progression and Assessment for Pediatric ECMO Patients Guideline, and many more.
Questions? Email PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.
Leadership
Welcoming Rich Hooper as Administrator of Radiology and Medical Imaging
From Danielle Griggs, PharmD, MBA, MS, Chief Pharmacy Officer and Acting Chief Operating Officer: “Please join me in congratulating Rich Hooper on his appointment as the permanent Administrator of Radiology and Medical Imaging, effective March 1. Rich has done an exceptional job leading the team in an interim capacity since James Carnes' retirement last August.” Read more on KnowledgeLink.
Human Resources
Benefits Wednesday: Meet a Counselor
Wednesday, March 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.
Happenings
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.
Help Needed to Host Junior Volunteers
The 2026 Summer Junior Volunteer Program has more than 100 teens interested in participation. To accept as many high schoolers as possible into this eight-week program, sites are needed for them to volunteer. If you work in a University Medical Center department/area and are interested in learning more about having Junior Volunteers assist with tasks in your area, please email Maureen Oswald. Let’s work together to offer opportunities for future healthcare professionals!
Staff Appreciation Breakfast
Tuesday, March 3 | 7-9 a.m. | Fresh Food Company, Newcomb Hall, second floor | Breakfast will be catered by the Virginia Catering Company. Pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, oatmeal from the Hoos Well oatmeal bar, and fruit will be served. Vegan and gluten-free options available upon request.
- Free parking at Central Grounds Parking Garage. (ParkMobile payment will not be required 6:30-9:30 a.m.)
- A shuttle will be available for UVA Health team members from Lane Road (near the hospital loading dock) at 6:45, 7, 7:30, 8, and 8:30 a.m. Look for the UVA bus displaying Staff Appreciation Breakfast messaging.
No RSVP required. Questions? Email AskHR@virginia.edu with the subject line "Staff Appreciation Breakfast."
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:
- Tuesday, March 3 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Friday, March 13 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 18 | 8-11 a.m.
- Thursday, March 26 | noon-3 p.m.
Vascular Disease Lunch and Learn Series | Full-Court Press on Pharmacology in PAD
Tuesday, March 3 | noon-1 p.m. | Blue Ridge Shenandoah Room TCV #4050 and Zoom | Lauren Lam, PharmD, BCACP, is a board certified Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacist and helps manage several chronic disease states in the areas of vascular medicine, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiology. Lam will provide updates in managing current evidence and guideline-based updates related to anticoagulation, antiplatelet, and lipid-lowering therapies in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Contact Bernie Ammons, Vascular Surgery Clinical Program Coordinator, to register. In-person space is limited. CE credits provided for MD, RNs, and PAs. Certificate of attendance available upon request for other disciplines. (Meeting ID: 93587208599, Passcode: 30870441)
World HPV Awareness Day
Wednesday, March 4 | HPV Vaccination rates in Virginia continue to remain below the national Healthy People 2030 goal of 80%, leaving many adolescents at risk for HPV-related cancers. While HPV vaccination recommendations have evolved over time, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends initiating the HPV vaccine series at ages 11-12, with the option to start as early as age 9. The HPV vaccine is most protective when given on time, and a strong provider recommendation is one of the most effective strategies for increasing uptake. Providers are encouraged to routinely recommend HPV vaccination and offer it alongside other routine immunizations to help protect more Virginians from preventable cancers. Read more about World HPV Awareness Day.
ECHO | Clinical Obesity Management: Interprofessional Perspectives on Intermittent Fasting
Thursday, March 5 | noon-1 p.m. | 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 contain lectures, case presentations, and Q&A sections. Details and registration.
Writing for the General Public
Wednesday, March 11 | Join a representative from The Conversation to learn how you can pitch stories and respond to their requests for experts to write on a wide variety of topics across disciplines. The Provost’s Office sponsors UVA’s membership of The Conversation, which enables UVA faculty to work directly with editors to publish articles. The Conversation makes articles available as a free public service to more than 1,000 unique digital republishers, like The New York Times, The Washington Post, Scientific American, Associated Press, Yahoo! News, and more. Register:
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
UVA Health is commemorating Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March with:
- Dress in Blue Day | Friday, March 13 | Raise awareness for colorectal cancer prevention and early detection. Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers with routine screening. If you’re 45 or older — or at higher risk — talk with your care team about getting screened. Wear blue to show your support, spark conversations, and help spread the message that screening saves lives. Early detection truly makes all the difference. Submit photos.
- Inflatable Colon | Friday, March 13 |11 a.m.-4 p.m. | University Medical Center cafeteria | UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center is teaming up with Virginia-based nonprofit Hitting Cancer Below the Belt to bring an inflatable colon directly to patients, families, and team members. Take a walk through the inflatable colon, learn about cancer screening, and visit the education table for fun swag and games.
Book Fair
March 16-19 | University Hospital, cafeteria, near Higher Grounds | UVA Hospital Auxiliary will host its bi-annual book fair. Please note the new location. Stop by and pick up a great read! Proceeds from the sale will benefit various UVA Health volunteer programs.
Quit Nicotine/Smoking Blue Ridge Program
Wednesdays, March 18-Apr. 22 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Zoom | Free support for those who want to quit tobacco and nicotine. For residents of Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson counties. This program is a partner of UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Community Outreach and Education program. Contact Scott Mein at 862.432.0490 for more information and to receive the Zoom link.
2026 64th Swineford Allergy Conference
April 17-18 | Pinn Hall Conference Center | The field of allergy and immunology continues to develop and change both clinically and scientifically. The Swineford Allergy Conference is dedicated to educating physicians involved in treating patients with disorders of allergic, pulmonary, or immunologic origin. Learn more and register.
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
New Sustainability Art Exhibit by Former UVA Health Patient Provides Hope at Work — and Beyond
When Zack Landsman’s lung collapsed in 2020, he became an inpatient for two weeks at UVA Health University Medical Center. “Going on walks was extremely hard,” he recalls, “but needed.” Admiring the art on the walls — during walks around the hospital with his mother — helped sustain his determination to recover.
Full circle as six years later, Zack’s sustainability art — "Waste Not: The Art of Plastic Recycling" — is in the spotlight on the hospital's second floor lobby mezzanine from March 2 to May 4 (including Earth Month!) — to be enjoyed by other patients and their families, visitors, and team members.
In 2023, Zack started Junk Labz, with fellow UVA Systems Engineering alum Elly Zaryzksi (pictured above, left), to recycle No. 5 plastic waste from 30+ research labs — mostly at UVA School of Medicine and some around Charlottesville — to reduce shipping emissions and landfilled plastic, improve transparency, and create long lasting, unique “designz” from recycled plastic. Read more on Connect.
