Connect

"Never a dull moment!"

No doubt UVA Health team members showcase professional expertise in their roles to support our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond. But what skills do some display outside work? In the latest installment of our Hidden Talents series, we try to Connect with two communicators — on a run or on a roll:

Marking Milestones

2026 is a milestone year for Alexandra Monson, who goes by “Alex.” She’s marking 10 years with UVA Health Development as a Multimedia and Creative Designer. And she completed her second marathon: the historic Boston Marathon! 

The St. Louis native majored in Communications at University of Missouri and ran her first half marathon when she was a sophomore. She and her husband moved from Missouri to Charlottesville in 2012 for his career in winemaking, and she took on a role at UVA Darden School of Business.

Monson continued to run races up to half marathons and local 5Ks, until she was inspired by several ultramarathon documentaries she watched during the pandemic to push her limits. 

Stepping Up

After her first pregnancy, Monson says she realized how strong the female body is, and became more organized about her running training. She ran with her first son in a stroller through her second pregnancy,  and continued after the birth of her second son. “In 2020 during the pandemic, the double stroller saved us on more occasions than I could count. Sometimes it was our only opportunity to get out for the day,” she recalls. “I continued to challenge myself, see growth, and make running friends. Many runners probably would agree that we are often our own biggest competition and the most influential force in our own journey. But I wouldn’t be where I am today without those in the Charlottesville running community who have become mentors to me.” 

Hitting Her Stride

What was her initial motivation to run competitively? “I liked the challenge. I never considered myself ‘fast’ or an ‘athlete’ growing up — but when I started seeing progress, I believed I could do it! When I realized running is a metaphor for life's challenges, I embraced it as a way to see myself through hardships outside of running. Running has become a vital part of how I check in with myself, my environment, and with friends!” 

Over the years, Monson has run at least 20 half-marathons, including races in Richmond several times; local 5ks, 10ks, and 10-miler (“despite the hills”); Backyard Ultra; 40-miler; several trail 50Ks: and paced friends for portions of their 100-mile races before attempting to run a marathon herself. Her first marathon: the 2024 Richmond Marathon — where she ran a 3:20:01 and qualified for the 2026 Boston Marathon! 

Crossing the Finish Line

Monson started training in January, following Mark Lorenzoni’s “Boston Bound” training plan with weekly recommendations for local spring marathon hopefuls and the option of a weekly group workout at UVA. “The plan required running up to 55 miles a week, which, believe it or not, is low mileage compared to some other marathon plans!” she explains.

Then in March 2026, Monson traveled for the first time to “Beantown,” where she joined 30,000 runners in the Boston Marathon — the world’s oldest, annual marathon and one of only six races considered to be a “World Marathon Major.”

'Whatever You Need it to Be'

“I love how running parallels life and can be whatever you need it to be on that day,” she describes. “I can reflect and spend quiet time in nature; celebrate, listening to my favorite music; see a new place; catch up with friends; or spend time with my six- and nine-year old sons while they ride their bicycles beside me. I can choose a particularly challenging route or workout — or not pay any attention to my pace and just go.”

What draws her to her design role at UVA Health Development? “I love getting to be creative about interpreting the needs of our team,” she answers. “I’m often trying to help tell a story or send a message in the most visually appealing way. Talking to team members and other colleagues about how to do that opens my eyes to new perspectives.”

“But most of all, I love when we get to see the impact philanthropy can have at UVA Health. We can often forget ... there are life-changing discoveries and advances going on behind the scenes — and that gifts from patients, family members, and gracious donors are helping to make these things possible. We are lucky enough to hear stories from people who, often in their most vulnerable moments, think of what they can do for the greater good. Knowing that my work can help my colleagues make meaningful connections between these people and their passions is really inspiring.” 

Full Circle

Any parallels between running — and her UVA Health Development role? She was honored to design former UVA President Jim Ryan’s Boston Marathon shirt for his 2021 marathon fundraiser for UVA School of Nursing scholarships and assisted in 2022 with his Running for Veterans shirt in 2022. "Little did I know that five years later, I’d be on that same course!”

Community Engagement

Monson also serves on the Board of Charlottesville Area Trail Runners. “I truly believe in our mission to help people discover the events, trails, and opportunities in our area and in return, I learn so much from our community,” she says.

Favorite local places to run: “Rivanna Trail is such a hidden gem — you can complete the entire approximately 20 mile loop around the city, or hop on and hop off in familiar neighborhoods. Of course, Shenandoah National Park is a favorite, and South River Falls is a beautiful run or hike, especially after a good amount of rain.”

Monson also loves animals, often taking her dog, Huck, on many of her trail runs!

In the Long Run .... 

Monson's retirement goal: to become a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator, inspired by her previous volunteer role at the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

ON A ROLL

Kaylee Sciacca is on a roll — on and off Grounds. The North Carolina Central University alum moved to Charlottesville, Virginia in February 2020, just before the pandemic started, and worked as an Aramark contractor marketing UVA Dine, before taking a role at UVA School of Law in 2022. Since August 2024, she’s worked for UVA Health Strategic Marketing and Communications. 

Team Sport

But as busy as she is as a Social Media Specialist (follow UVA Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, UVA Health Children’s Instagram, and UVA Health Children’s Facebook!) — Sciacca makes time to spin her wheels — competitively — mostly between March and November. She’s been involved with the sport of roller derby since 2018 and began skating in games in 2024. 

At Charlottesville Roller Derby, Sciacca serves as league president, and frequently fills the role of a “pivot”: a utility player who serves as a “blocker” and “jammer,” the latter of which is the point-scoring skater! Practices are on Wednesdays and Sundays. Next up: a May 30 game at the Augusta Expo in Fishersville, Virginia. Sciacca also promotes recruitment. And she coaches Charlottesville Junior Roller Derby, a co-ed skating program for children ages 8 to 18. 

But that’s not all. Sciacca also belongs to the Harrisonburg, Virginia league: Rocktown Rollers. On the orange Punk ‘Possums intraleague home team — and the A-level “Hits” and B-level “B-Sides” travel teams — she’s almost always a blocker and serves as Bout Production Lead: “Ringmaster of the game-day circus, if you will!”  

What sparked Sciacca’s initial interest in roller derby? “I was a seasoned birthday party skater and thought that was a good jumping-off point to skating more often,” she recalls. “Boy, was I in for a rude awakening!” 

Best Days 

What does Sciacca love about her role at UVA Health Strategic Marketing and Communications? “I often get to celebrate people’s best days (e.g., bell ringings for cancer remission, clinics opening to serve more of the community) or share news about treatments that can help them have that best day sometime soon!” 

Balancing Act 

Any parallels between roller derby — and creating social media content for UVA Health?

“Just when I think I have everything figured out, I’m back around the roller derby track — or at a UVA Health clinic — for another go-round and the next challenge!” she shares. “There’s never a dull moment in either!” 

Never a dull moment, indeed: Sciacca also loves to read, play mahjong, sing karaoke — and garden with her “bark-eting” assistant, Bart, a seven-year-old cattle dog mix!

See other installments in this series:
○ Honing Their Crafts: "Healing is about more than medicine — it’s about the human spirit."
○ Open Book: Pen to paper (or mouse to laptop), outside of work, one page at a time. Meet two novelists in our midst. “My role at UVA Health is such a nice balance with my creative life.”
○ Live From Charlottesville: These UVA Health team members also are broadcasters, calling all the shots or hitting all the right notes. Tune in!

Got (a Hidden) Talent?
Are you a UVA Health team member with a Hidden Talent? Or does your UVA Health colleague have one? If so, contact Connect to be considered for a future installment in this series!