Connect

This is the latest installment in our Connect article series “Hope at Work” — showcasing inspiring stories about how our team members contribute to UVA Health’s 10-year strategic plan: “One Future Together Health and Hope for All.”  No matter where you work, you have an opportunity to inspire hope in others. These stories show how:

May is Bicycle Month and June is Safety Month. And during Trauma Awareness Month, also in May, keeping the theme of “Stay Focused, Stay Safe” in mind — Valerie Quick, MSN, RN, TCRN, EMT-I, Director, UVA Health University Medical Center Trauma Program in Charlottesville, Virginia, encouraged her team to help prevent injuries, not only in their roles, but also within their communities. Shannon Jacobs, CSTR, Trauma Registrar, rolled with the initiative! “I took it as a sign,” she recalls. 

Shannon says her project was inspired by the philanthropy of paramedic Lane Wood, who helped hand out safety helmets as part of "Emma KAPPs” (Kids Are Precious People) to first-grade students in Pickens, South Carolina, in affiliation with the Emma Boughman Foundation. Explains Shanon: “In 2012, Emma tragically passed away at the age of seven after getting struck by a car while on her scooter.”

Critical Role — On and Off the Job

Shannon works for UVA Health remotely from South Carolina. Among other duties, she’s responsible for accurate trauma patient data abstraction, diagnostic and procedural coding, and data entry into the trauma registry — information critical for maintaining trauma center designations, complying with regulatory requirements, and driving performance improvement initiatives.

Shannon noticed most of the children in her neighborhood weren’t wearing safety helmets while riding bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc. And through her UVA Health role, Shannon says she knows what can happen if something goes wrong. 

“I've seen the devastation that the lack of a helmet can bring and would like to prevent people from experiencing that, if at all possible,” she describes. “I wanted to encourage helmet safety via positive reinforcement such as giving treats to the children if they did wear a helmet, but I also wanted to ensure none of the kids feel left out if they don’t own a helmet to begin with.” 

Community Engagement Leads to Better Health Outcomes

Shannon didn’t spin her wheels for long trying to solve the dilemma. “I bought helmets for kids who didn't have one, instead of waiting for a parent to come to me. I know expenses can add up quickly when you have kids, and I didn't want anyone to feel caught between buying a helmet or paying a bill.” 

In one week alone, Shannon spent her own money to buy four helmets. 

“When I find out that a child doesn't have a helmet, I ask for their age to determine their size and their favorite color. All the kids are super excited to receive their helmets,” she describes. “One mom thanked me! The kids are even more excited the following day when they come to see me for their earned treats.” 

Adds Shannon: “I love being able to tell the kids that they're smart and that the goal of the helmet is to protect their brains so children can become anything they want to in life. I hope the kids will look back one day and know that they were important enough for even a ‘stranger’ to care about them!” 

Says Valerie about Shannon: “She’s done this completely on her own. We are very proud to have her on our team!” 

Says Shannon to Valerie, who first brought this story to the attention of Connect: “Thank you, Val, for this recognition, but more importantly, your encouragement and leadership!”