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"You can’t help but smile with relief when he shows up, because you know expert help has arrived!"

Every year, UVA Health University Medical Center Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) bestows two Friend of Nursing Awards: one recognizes a physician — the other, a non-physician — partner or team.

Recipients should meet the following criteria::

• Demonstrate role modeling behaviors that enhance nursing and interdisciplinary partnerships.
• Contribute to achievement of nursing strategic plan goals and initiatives. 
• Proactively engage nursing colleagues as partners.
• Contribute to a culture of patient safety and a positive patient experience (applies to clinical-based nominees).

This year, UVA Health University Medical Center Associate Chief Nursing Officer Rachel Nauman, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, and Jenny Ernest, Nursing Governance Coordinator, Nursing Professional Governance Office, surprised Derek Wilson, Director of Facilities, UVA Health University Medical Center, with a Friend of Nursing Award.

'True Partner to Nursing'

Nauman nominated Wilson:

"There are people in an organization who make it feel safe to do hard work. Derek Wilson is unquestionably that leader! His impact is felt everywhere, often quietly, always reliably.

"Whether responding to floods, power outages, fire alarms, or HVAC [heating, venting, air conditioning] failure — Derek is a true partner to nursing — ensuring our care environments support Magnet®-aligned practice, professional governance, and strong patient outcomes.

"We nurses cannot best lead, innovate, or provide quality care without a reliable and safe environment. Derek ensures care is without facilities barriers.

"Add hazardous waste overflows, operating room sprinkler floods, ceiling collapses, critter infestations, and any imaginable crisis — Derek is already there! He simply appears and stays until the issue is resolved, environment is safe, and nurses can return their full attention to patients with confidence and trust."

'Extraordinary Efforts'

"His commitment was especially visible during the most recent winter storm, when snow and ice created the most treacherous conditions we’ve experienced in years. While the city struggled with uncleared sidewalks and unsafe pedestrian routes, even Reddit audiences lauded Derek’s team for extraordinary efforts! He and his crew were out around-the-clock — ensuring nurses could safely get to work and move across grounds.

"In a moment when access could easily have become a barrier to care, Derek protected not only team member safety, but continuity of care and patient outcomes by ensuring University Medical Center and all its facilities remained accessible, operational, and focused on delivering safe, uninterrupted care when patients needed us most.

"This moment was not an exception — rather, a reflection of how Derek consistently shows up. He does not simply deploy his team — he leads beside them! Derek goes to the space, talks with the people, and walks the walk. Whether ensuring floors are safe to prevent falls, safeguarding the proper storage of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) breastmilk, or protecting clinics and units from infrastructure risks — his work directly supports patient safety and experience, and nursing excellence."

'When Nursing Calls, Derek Answers!'

"Derek follows up long after the fix, checking back to ensure solutions are sustained and continue to meet the needs. For many years and across all practice settings, we’ve relied on his steadfast support of nursing, which is constant. He is the 'easy button' every frontline nurse and nurse leader hopes for: dependable, responsive, and deeply accountable. When nursing calls, Derek answers —not just with direction, but with presence.

"His boots are on the ground. Derek is calm under pressure, decisive in action, and relentless in pursuing root cause solutions in the name of patient safety and team member wellbeing. You can’t help but smile with relief when he shows up, because you know expert help has arrived."

'Heart for People'

"What sets Derek apart is not only his technical expertise, but his heart for people. He’s never rushed or too busy to connect. On a particularly hot summer day, I jokingly mentioned being grateful I had worn deodorant because our hall’s aging window units were losing the battle. When I returned to my office, new units were being installed! No request, no work order, just care in action! Upon thanking him, Derek simply responded: 'We have to take care of our people who take care of our people.'

"'Authentic Derek': anticipatory, thoughtful, and human-centered. Despite being the person to whom problems flow, Derek is never flustered or frustrated. He is humble and kind with unwavering commitment to service. He ensures Facilities is integrated with nursing as a trusted partner.

"Nursing collaborators such as Derek are foundational to the strength and stability of nursing. Our patients and nurses are safer, stronger, and better because of his leadership.

"Derek Wilson is, in every sense of the word, a Friend of Nursing."