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UVA Health University Medical Center celebrated 2026 Nursing Assistant Week, June 11-17, including the Nursing Professional Governance Organization’s announcement of the 2026 Nursing Assistant Awards on June 16 at Pinn Hall Auditorium. Congratulations to all 40+ nominees! 

The winners are: 

• Certified Medical Assistant of the Year: Wendy Reyes, CMA, 6^th Floor, Battle Building | “Initiative, advocacy, and continuous self-improvement. Wendy actively seeks opportunities to expand the role and elevate patient care, while remaining highly receptive to feedback. Her plans to attend nursing school reflect long-term commitment to growth and innovation in healthcare. Leads by example, setting a consistently high standard of accountability, professionalism, and clinical awareness that elevates the entire team.” 

• Patient Care Technician of the Year: Joshua Wu, PCT, 3 Central | “Ensures patient care is uninterrupted. Joshua doesn’t wait to be told what needs to be done — instead, he actively looks for ways to improve the environment. Consistent attention to restocking supplies, maintaining organization — and responding promptly to patient needs. Treats every patient with dignity and empathy, always taking the time to listen and involve them in decisions about their care.”  

• Specialty Technician of the Year: Charlotte Larkin, Cardiac Cath Technician, Cardiac Transition Unit (CTU) | “Charlotte always makes patients and families feel very comfortable and uses humor to ease their tension. This is a great skill to be able to calm the most anxious person!” Because of scheduling conflicts, Larkin received her award during a surprise announcement at the CTU on June 24. Associate Chief Nursing Officer Rachel Nauman, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, and Jenny Ernest, Nursing Governance Coordinator, Nursing Professional Governance Office, presented Larkin with the award (more photos of this presentation below).

• Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year: Erika Chicas, CNA, 3 West | “Truly listens to patients — ensuring each individual feels heard, valued, and respected. Whether offering a comforting word, a gentle touch, or simply being present during difficult moments — Erika creates a sense of trust and emotional safety. She will do what she needs to make sure her patients are taken care of!” Because of scheduling conflicts, Larkin received her award during a surprise announcement on June 26 on 3 West. Associate Chief Nursing Officer Veronica Brill, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, and Jenny Ernest, Nursing Governance Coordinator, Nursing Professional Governance Office, presented Chicas with the award (more photos of this presentation are below).

Nominees demonstrated: 

• Exceptional acts of skill | Going beyond expected behaviors associated with providing competent and compassionate patient care including communication with team members, patients, and families — and safety and rehabilitation of our patients. 

• Forward-thinking | Promoting growth and innovation — advocating for resources to support elements of relationship-based care; partnering with patients and families to assess needs; and employing problem-solving techniques to influence change within the organization. 

• Providing care | To patients with a wide range of values, beliefs, and behaviors while applying available resources to meet patients’ social, cultural, and linguistic needs. Kind, compassionate, and always ensuring our patients and families are involved and engaged in their own care. Constant, effective, outcome-based — ready to jump in and help as an asset to the care team! 

Creating Meaningful Moments 

“You are caretakers — present for patients and families during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. You provide comfort, dignity, and compassion when it matters most,” declares NPGO President Clara Winfield MSN, RN, CAPA, CNL. 

NPGO President-Elect Megan Mundy, BSN, RN, CCRN, echoes the sentiment: “As a nurse, I know we do not do this work alone. The care we provide, the safety we ensure, and the way our practice areas function — day in and day out — are possible only because of the dedication, skill, and presence of our nursing assistants and technicians. That kind of commitment doesn’t just build a career — it builds a legacy!” 

UVA Health University Medical Center Associate Chief Nursing Officer Veronica Brill, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, hails nominees: “Being recognized by your peers is a meaningful honor, and I hope you feel how much your work is valued — not only today, but every day. You make our patients safer, our teams stronger, and our health system better!” 

“Our CNAs and care technicians are at the core of care — delivering quality and compassion to our patients every day.  Their contributions may feel invisible at times, but this ceremony is a chance to let them know we see them and value their expertise and dedication,” praises Associate Chief Nursing Officer Bill Lombardi, DNP, AG-ACNP, Administrator, UVA Health Center for Advanced Practice (CAP). 

“I’m continually amazed by the depth of expertise our frontline teams bring to every specialty. Our nursing assistants, medical assistants, patient care technicians, and specialty technicians combine remarkable clinical skill with kindness and empathy to create meaningful moments with our patients every day,” touts Associate Chief Nursing Officer Rachel Nauman, DNP, RN, NEA-BC. “They truly transform healthcare from a clinical encounter into a human experience!’ 

2026 Nursing Assistant Week 

In addition to the awards, 2026 Nursing Assistant Week also featured:  

• Kickoff Social: Serving up meet n’ greets, food, and beverages in the Dining Conference Rooms Friday, June 12. 
• Prize Giveaway: Providing a chance to win a new Kindle, Target, or Amazon gift card; Summer Staycation gift basket; and more! 
• Blessing of the Hands: Chaplains offered interfaith blessings. 
• Hall of Fame: Honoring UVA Health University Medical Center nursing assistants and technicians with 35+ years of service! 
• Superlatives: Send an e-message to your favorite nursing assistants, or print one to hand deliver! 

See more photos from the awards ceremony:

More photos from the Charlotte Larkin surprise award presentation:

More photos from the Erika Chicas surprise award presentation: