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"It was clear that this patient connected with Anna Bosworth — and she with the patient."

At UVA Health University Medical Center — rehabilitation therapists often work hand in hand to support our patients — and in this case, a physical therapist who worked with an occupational therapist is lauding her colleague for going above and beyond.

And now, Associate Chief Nursing Officer Veronica Brill, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, and Jenny Ernest, Nursing Governance Coordinator, Nursing Professional Governance Office, have surprised Anna Bosworth, OTD, OTR/L, with a BEE (Being Excellent Everyday) Award for providing such superior quality, patient safety, outcomes, and more.

Kimberly F. Williams, PT, nominated Bosworth:

"I had the pleasure of working closely with Anna in providing patient care on the hospitalist service. Together, we problem-solved hurdles.

"A patient required an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay before being transferred. The confounding concerns regarding this patient included autism, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disability. Additionally, the family member's health literacy was limited.

"Anna immediately engaged the patient with humor and a gentle touch, adding music to calm and provide distraction. Over the course of the next few sessions, she helped the patient de-escalate. Anna also was able to help the team understand alternative behavior management strategies.

"She offered comfort and playful distraction appropriately, using her experience of working with patients with developmental delay/intellectual disability and limited communication skills. It was clear that this patient connected with Anna Bosworth — and she with the patient.

"In two complex care meetings, Anna was instrumental in communicating with all members of the care team (social work, case management, and provider) on updates and gathering information to facilitate care, as well as discharge planning.

"Anna also prepared written handouts for discharge education and provided the patient's caregiver training in multiple sessions on transfers, positioning, behavior management, safety, body mechanics, and energy conservation. Anna even spent time educating the patient's caregiver on how to use QR codes on a phone.

"Hours were spent in managing this patient whose complexity of care was significant. These were not hours we typically plan for in our regular patient care treatment days, but hours that made a difference — for the patient and family to have a chance at discharge home more successfully than discharge to a skilled nursing facility; remain together instead of broken apart; and help the most vulnerable feel seen and know they have an advocate at UVA Health and in the Rehabilitation Department."

Know a Deserving Team Member?

The BEE Award recognizes UVA Health University Medical Center team members who work alongside our nurses to impact patients' experiences — just as bees and flowers depend on one another.

Every month, the Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors up to two UVA Health University Medical Center team members with this award. Submit a nomination.