10.2.2026
Compliance Corner: Use Alternatives to Note Blocking in Epic
10.2.2026
UVA Health Update | Oct. 2, 2026
Micro Health Breaks Series
Through Tuesday, Dec.15 | Take a 10-minute break with Beth Frackleton, Occupational Health, to refresh your mind and body with this new series of micro health breaks. Whether you're looking to boost your focus with chair yoga, ease stress with meditation, strengthen your body through low-intensity cardio, or explore the transformative power of mindset shifts and self-care, there's something for everyone.
These quick, engaging virtual sessions offer benefits like improved flexibility, reduced anxiety, enhanced energy, and a stronger mind-body connection — perfect for fitting wellness into your busy day. Attend one or all sessions. See the schedule and download it to your Outlook calendar.
Patient Care
Share Your Feedback: Epic Experience Survey Now Open
Through Monday, Nov. 16 | Clinicians and other patient-facing team members rely on Epic every day to support patient care, coordinate teams, and access critical information. We also know that when technology doesn't work as intended, it can add time, frustration, and administrative burden to an already demanding day. That's why your feedback is so important.
The Epic Experience Survey is open now to all team members who interact with patients and use Epic as part of their daily work. Taking only 10 minutes to complete, the survey empowers team members to share their Epic experience and help guide future improvements to the way we work and provide patient care across UVA Health. Take the survey now.
Pap Smear Turnaround Times Delayed
UVA Health Cytology Lab’s turnaround times for Pap smear testing are expected to exceed 30 days through January 2027, with the goal of returning to fewer than 30 days in the new year. Delays stem from a nationwide shortage of trained cytologists to review Pap smear specimens.
Reference labs are dealing with the same personnel shortages, so they are not a viable alternative. Average turnaround time for HPV testing is seven days, so clinicians are encouraged to utilize primary HPV screening when appropriate, per American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommendations.
UVA Health lab leadership is pursuing multiple pathways to mitigate delays and increase staffing. Your support and patience during this time are greatly appreciated.
Operations
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. This month’s highlights include updates to:
- Withdrawal of Life-sustaining Measures in Adult Patients Guideline
- IPC: Organisms and Diseases Requiring Isolation Precautions A-Z Index
- High Alert Medications List and SOP, and many more.
Questions? Email PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.
Radiation Safety: Your Dosimeter Only Works If You Read It
If your VUE dosimeter did not automatically upload on Sept. 30, find your nearest Instalink station and push the button on the side of the device to manually upload your dose data. This needs to be completed by Friday, Oct. 2, to meet the Virginia Department of Health regulatory requirements. Watch a video of the uploading process. Questions or problems? Contact the Radiation Safety Office at 982.4919.
Contact Radiology Concierge Team Via Secure Chat
Unsure who to contact about a radiology diagnostic study or interventional procedure? For years, Radiology has had a centralized phone number — 4-XRAY — to field questions and point you in the right direction. The same team is now available in Secure Chat under “UVMC Radiology 4-XRAY Concierge Team,” which serves as a great first contact for Radiology service and can be saved to your favorites list. The 4-XRAY radiology concierge team is always available, by both phone and Secure Chat.
Keep Us Safe by Minimizing Decorations in Your Area (and Know the Guidelines)
State and federal regulatory agencies prohibit decorations in healthcare occupancies unless certain guidelines concerning decorations are observed to ensure safety. Should you have any fire safety questions concerning decorations, please contact HSPP Compliance at 924.9389; for infection control, please contact 924.0260. Read the guidelines on Connect..
UVA Health in the News
Top Story
- Dr. Anita Clayton talks with The New York Times about new Department of Veterans Affairs consent requirements for patients receiving psychiatric drugs.
Patient Care
- Dr. Bobby Chhabra participates in our weekly NBC29 segment, discussing the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery’s 100th anniversary.
- Becker’s Hospital Review highlights UVA Health’s ranking by Forbes among America’s best healthcare employers.
- Yahoo cites UVA Health’s highly ranked, specialized care as one reason that Charlottesville is among their top cities for retirees.
- Prince William Medical Center is highlighted by Becker’s Hospital Review among the hospitals with the lowest CAUTI rates.
- Dr. Matthew Wagar is featured locally, across Virginia, and on TV stations nationally discussing gynecological cancer.
- Dr. Chris Holstege is featured locally and across Virginia discussing the dangers of synthetic opioids.
- Dr. Andrew Taylor is featured in Everyday Health discussing the benefits and risks of using AI to answer health questions.
Research
- Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati is featured locally, across Virginia, on TV stations nationally, and on hundreds of radio stations nationally discussing a potential new medication for multiple sclerosis.
- Dr. Jennifer Payne talks with The Mirror about why the Lindsay Clancy case has divided America.
- Research from Dr. Jennifer Payne is featured in a USA Today column on perimenopause.
- Dr. Marina Weiler is featured in IFLScience discussing her out-of-body experiences research.
- Dr. Blair Towers talks with Healio about the data on poisonings caused by acetaminophen.
- Dr. Allan Tsung is featured locally, across Virginia, on TV stations nationally, and in Physician’s Weekly discussing when doctors should use histotripsy.
Community
- Director of Community Partnerships and Health Outcomes Jackie Martin is featured locally, across Virginia and on TV stations nationally discussing a health outreach event at Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church.
Education
Human Resources
Point Cards Are Now Digital Recognition Points
Available now | The employee recognition program — formerly known as Point Cards — now is called Recognition Points. While the program itself remains the same, recognition points now will be managed digitally through an online platform, the UVA Health Recognition Points website, providing managers and team members with greater flexibility and convenience when distributing and redeeming rewards.
This change applies to team members in University Medical Center, UVA School of Medicine, UVA School of Nursing, and Claude Moore Health Sciences Library. Morrison and Environmental Services team members will continue to use physical point cards.
- Visit the HR website for FAQs, job aids, and additional information about using the new platform.
- Visit the Recognition Points website to check out the variety of rewards available.
Questions? Contact your manager or email AskHR@virginia.edu.
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 latest list.
Join Socktober 2026
Through Monday, Nov. 2 | Stepping up to meet our 10-year strategic plan goal of cultivating healthy communities and belonging for all — UVA Health has kicked off its annual Socktober initiative. This year's goal at University Medical Center: collecting 20,000 new pairs for unhoused individuals. Team members can drop off new pairs of socks in Socktober bins at:
- Cafe at 500 Fontaine
- Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center
- Food and Nutrition Services ("0" level, University Hospital)
- Good Grain Cafe, Orthopedic Center at Ivy Road
- OR Cafe Lounge
- University Hospital Cafeteria
- Wahoo West Café
Read more on Connect about the newest challenges! Help spread the word! Print and hang, or share electronically, a fun sock tracker and horizontal and vertical graphics. Questions? Contact Jennifer Snyder, Director of Retail.
Amplifying Your Research Impact: A Strategic Communications Workshop
Tuesday, Oct. 6 | 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Contemplative Commons, Studio 1B | Office of the Vice President for Research presents a one-day workshop for UVA researchers who want to communicate their work more effectively. Through faculty panels, journalist perspectives, and hands-on media training — you will learn how to reach the public, communicate your work clearly, make more effective funding pitches, and build a cohesive academic brand. Space is limited. Learn more and register.
Trauma-Sensitive Human Trafficking Training for Healthcare Workers
Tuesday, Oct. 6 | 3:30-5 p.m. | The Graduate Hotel, Charlottesville | This interdisciplinary continuing education program is designed to enhance healthcare professionals' ability to recognize and respond to individuals who may be experiencing human trafficking. This program is Intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, social workers, psychologists, trainees, and other healthcare professionals committed to improving care for vulnerable populations. Learn more and register.
Free, Monthly Meditation Retreats for UVA Health Staff and Trainees
Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 7 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Contemplative Commons, Studio 4A | The Mindfulness Center will begin hosting monthly meditation retreats on the first Wednesday of each month. Retreats include guided meditation, educational talk, discussion, and mindful movement. Chairs and cushions provided. The retreats are geared toward UVA Health staff and trainees, but community members also are welcome. Contemplative Commons is within walking distance of the hospital, and parking in the adjacent R1 lot is free after 5 p.m. For more information, contact Will Knight.
Medical Center Hour
Now in its 55th season, Medical Center Hour is UVA Health's public forum on medicine and society, produced by UVA School of Medicine’s Center for Health Humanities and Ethics. Watch previous Medical Center Hour recordings. Upcoming schedule:
- Listening for What Matters Most: Questions That Change End-of-Life Care | Thursday, Oct. 8 | noon-1 p.m. | Leonard Sandridge Auditorium | In-person only | Death doula Diane Button, founding partner of the Bay Area End-of-Life Doula Alliance, introduces practical tools and questions she has used with hundreds of patients at the end of life. Lunch provided for the first 60 audience members. Co-presented with the Haney Compassionate Care Collaborative and the Compassionate Care Initiative.
- The Lost Art of Dying: Global Perspectives | Friday, Oct. 9 | 12:15-1:15 p.m. | Educational Resource Center, 2nd floor; Zoom (meeting ID: 916 6068 9804; passcode: 18191819) | Internist Lydia Dugdale, MD, MAR, Director, Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, offers perspectives on end-of-life care from her celebrated book, “The Lost Art of Dying,” and her understanding of global practices. What can we learn about caring for the dying from other geographic and cultural settings, including under-resourced regions of the world? This Medicine Grand Rounds/Medical Center Hour is co-presented with the Center for Global Health Equity.
- Microplastics in Our Bodies: What Are They Doing and What Can We Do? | Wednesday, Oct. 14 | noon-1 p.m. | Leonard Sandridge Auditorium and Zoom | Not only are plastics everywhere in our environment, they're in our bodies, too, and likely affecting our health. John McNeil, MD; Bryan Berger, PhD; and medical student Nadia Sadanandan examine the problems posed by plastics, offer ways we can reduce our exposure, and invite clinicians-in-training to think critically about the systems in which they work. Co-presented with UVA Office for Sustainability.
Claude Moore Health Sciences Library Research Support Expo 2026
Tuesday, Oct. 13 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | MR5, second floor, Biomedical Engineering Atrium | Whether you're a resident, attending, fellow, nurse, support staff member, student, faculty member, or just curious about what the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library can offer, this event is perfect for you. Meet the team, view artifacts on display, enjoy snacks and swag, play games, and participate in a raffle. Questions? Contact Lewis Savarese, Collection Development Librarian. Details.
What Is Graphic Medicine?: A Zine-Making Workshop With Community Artist-in-Residence
Thursday, Oct. 15 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, Multipurpose Innovative Learning Lab (MILL) | Want to learn more about the use of comics in healthcare discourse? Join Artist-in-Residence Jess Walters, BCPA, to explore a variety of comics, graphic memoirs, zines, and visual works to discover the impact of engaging with and creating Graphic Medicine. Hosted by Claude Moore Health Sciences Library in collaboration with Center for Health Humanities and Ethics. All supplies for zine-making will be provided. Learn more. Register.
Managing Anxiety in Uncertain Times
Wednesday, Oct. 28 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Learn how to tolerate uncertainty, not assume the worst, and balance staying informed with regulating your distress. Presented by Bethany Teachman, PhD, the Commonwealth Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology. Co-sponsored by the UVA Provost’s Faculty Guide Program and part of UVA FEAP and Hoos Well’s Thrive Together webinar series. Learn more.
Organizational Leadership Coaching Certificate
Application deadline: Sunday, Nov. 1 | In this three-month, online program, you will deepen your leadership impact, empowered by essential experiences, certifications, and feedback from International Coaching Federation-certified professional coaches. You’ll gain the education hours required for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential, while honing active listening, ethical practice, and resilience-building skills — enabling you to support your teams, reduce burnout, and lead change. Learn more. Information sessions:
Appreciation
'Nurses Were Rock Stars and Deserve a Raise' | Kudos to Our UVA Health Colleagues
To best serve our community, UVA Health regularly surveys our patients on their healthcare experience. Below is a selection of feedback praising our team members:
- “Every single member of staff in the Emergency Department was caring, polite, attentive, and understanding about my condition and concerns. They tailored my care needs based on my medical history and current condition and made me feel respected and heard. This is the most important thing for me, after having severe anxiety from prior medical conditions and treatment.”
- “The nurses were rock stars and deserve a raise. They took great care of me both before and after the procedure. Docs were pretty good, too, but the nurses were superstars.”
- “This was the best hospital experience that anyone could ever ask for. All aspects — from registration to nursing to food service, and every piece in between — was a great experience, given the nature of my emergency surgery and stay. I cannot say enough about the caring staff and how we were treated. Please express my thanks to everyone for the great care and effort.”
Thank you to our team members for providing outstanding, compassionate, and safe care!
