Connect

This Black History Month — UVA Health Office of Diversity and Community Engagement and UVA School of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are recognizing a UVA Health team member whose work echoes the theme of “African Americans and Labor: Acknowledging Our Contributions Across UVA Health” — and supports our UVA Health strategic plan initiative of collaborating as One UVA Health team with the goal of strengthening our foundation.

One UVA Health

Originally from Buckingham County, Virginia — Maurice Gough joined UVA Health in Charlottesville in 2007, first as a Medical Aide in Patient Transportation, then working in the storeroom, and rising to Trades Utility Senior. Now, he’s nearly two decades into his UVA Health career.

Connect has had no issues finding Gough’s fans who are vocal about his insistence on ensuring easy access and superior quality — two additional initiatives within our strategic plan.

“Maurice helps to bring our events' visions to life,” describes Dwan Love-Dinkens, Assistant Director of Institutional Engagement and Inclusive Excellence at UVA Health ODCE and UVA School of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. That includes celebrations such as the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health System Awards.

‘A Welcoming Agent’

Diane Washington, Executive Assistant for School Initiatives and Support, UVA School of Nursing, recalls meeting Gough in spring 2024 as she was planning and coordinating a luncheon to be held after an agency training session for faculty and staff. “I knew I wanted UVA School of Nursing to be a welcoming agent to our visitors and didn’t want an ordinary box lunch with everyone sitting in rows and rows in a classroom,” she describes. “It was a busy time of year when Facilities Management typically is getting ready for Final Exercises. However, Maurice made time for my project!”

Washington met with Gough the day before the luncheon and gave him an idea of how she wanted the room to be set up. Gough took a picture and talked to his apprentice. They moved tables and chairs around, ensuring accessibility space.

“Maurice was very conscious of the University’s policy on the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA),” describes Washington. “When they finished arranging, we took a step back to look at the set up. It was as if Maurice read my mind! The room had taken on cafeteria-style seating. Maurice said, ‘Let’s be creative!’ So he and his apprentice shifted the tables outward and angled them — still leaving space for accessibility. I was in awe! The next day, faculty and staff walked into the room with ‘Oohs’ and ‘Aahs’ about the transformation! I told them that Facilities Management had designed the room for me.”

The next day, the room reverted to its original set up, and Washington thanked Gough again for his work and told him she very much appreciated his partnership to make the luncheon a success. “Maurice knows his craft well. His critical thinking and creativity all fit together like a completed puzzle, making him a valued contributor to Facilities Management, UVA, and UVA Health!”

‘The Backbone’ 

“Maurice is fantastic!” hails Ashley Woodard, Ed.D., Director of Diversity Programs and Strategic Partnerships, UVA School of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, who has collaborated with Gough and his team for more than two years on various projects including the Nursing and Medicine Community Festivals where faculty, students, staff, and organizations support our strategic plan initiatives of community engagement and health equity.

“He leads a team of folks who are very responsive to the needs we may have for various events. Maurice is very professional and friendly — always willing to help, or to help me brainstorm how we can structure an event best for traffic flow. I truly appreciate that he takes pride in his work and in doing a great job. Maurice and his team are definitely the backbone of UVA School of Medicine and UVA Health!”

Creating Change

“I enjoy working with people as my role is to help set up their displays and events,” Gough explains, adding that ODCE, UVA School of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and UVA School of Nursing team members are wonderful to work with.

What does Black History Month mean to Gough? “It's a time to remember those who suffered for the color of their skin and those who gave their voice to create change,” he explains. “But most of all — to celebrate how far we have come, and yet, how far we still have to go.”