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More than two dozen UVA Health University Medical Center and UVA Community Health team members joined nearly 14,000 nurses, nurse leaders, and advanced practice nurses from across the globe at the 2025 American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet® and Pathway Conference, Oct. 8-10 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

One UVA Health Team

"ANCC Magnet® designation is the highest honor that organizations can achieve for nursing excellence," says Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, UVA Health University Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer. "It was a joy to watch firsthand our UVA Health nursing team celebrate this well-deserved and prestigious recognition!"

“What a fantastic week!” hails Leanne Fox, MPP, Nursing Governance Coordinator, UVA Health University Medical Center Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO). “Truly honored, alongside my colleague JT Hall, to share the incredible work UVA Health's exemplary nurses are doing as professional advocates. So grateful for the opportunity, the excitement JT and I got in response to our presentation, and the absolutely wonderful support we have from our UVA Health team!”

Echoes Jennifer T. Hall, MSN, RN, CNL, NEA-BC, Director, University Medical Center Nursing Professional Practice, Magnet® Recognition Programs: “What an incredible week! We celebrated our re-designation and then had the opportunity to showcase the work of our nurses in a podium presentation with Leanne. Having such an incredible group of colleagues and leaders offering encouragement all week leading up to our presentation and then showing up early to sit in the front row cheering us on is just amazing! It was like a giant group hug all week!”

The 'Why'

Fox and Hall accepted a coveted invitation to take the stage with “Nurses Belong Where Decisions Are Made: Nursing Advocacy 101."

“Advocacy is a skill that many nurses feel comfortable with in the course of caring for patients. It is so deeply rooted in why we came to the discipline of nursing. We are working to support nurses to advocate beyond the walls of our organization in external forums where decisions are made.” says Hall.

Hall (above, left) and Fox (above, right) reminded the audience that University Medical Center — which earned the nation’s highest nursing honor, Magnet® designation in 2006, 2015, 2020, and 2025 and multiple Joint Commission accredited programs — boasts 4,000 RNs — 82% with BSN or higher degrees and 49% professionally board certified. 

The duo shared what they call the “Urgency of the Moment”:

• Nurses — the most trusted professionals — have front row seats to the outcomes of policy decisions related to healthcare.
• Legislators are generalists who rely on specialists — such as nurses — to inform them and bring issues to life.
• Steady, nonpartisan advocacy and leadership from those whose motivation is to promote effective healthcare is a unifying path forward.

“Within healthcare in the last ten years, we have faced uncertainties and chaos that can be hard to wrap your mind around,” says Fox. “When you feel uncertain or overwhelmed, it’s natural to either get angry and defensive, or just hunker down — fight, flight, or freeze, essentially. This is a human instinct. But it is precisely at times like these when we need steady, trusted leadership from people who know we can do good things together.”

'Everywhere Decisions Are Made'

Fox and Hall then talked about UVA Health University Medical Center’s Nursing Advocacy Initiative (NAI), with goals of bringing the collective wisdom, expertise, and experience of UVA Health’s exemplary nurses to legislators to influence policymaking that will improve healthcare, patient outcomes, and the nursing profession. Also, to show and inspire national nurse colleagues how they can start their own NAI, ensuring nurses are present everywhere decisions are made. Any professional nurse at UVA Health is welcome to participate in a Nurse Ambassador training session and join NAI's advocacy.

“I'm so very proud of our NAI nurse ambassadors who are stepping out of their comfort zone to share their wisdom, experience, and expertise with legislators. It’s making a difference!” says Hall.

Fox and Hall work closely with and are grateful for the support of Baker and UVA Health Chief External Affairs Officer Jennifer Siciliano, MA. They emphasized the importance of this approach in their conference presentation.

Takeaways

According to conference organizers: attendees celebrated the leadership, innovation, and impact of nursing and took home these and other strategies to drive transformational change by:

• Gaining insights into achieving ANCC recognition and elevating their organizations.
• Learning how to align with ANCC standards to enhance job satisfaction and performance.
• Observing the latest trends from global nursing experts.
• Earning Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits.
• Networking with nursing peers and leaders from around the world.

Twenty-six UVA Health University Medical Center and UVA Community Health nurses proudly crossed the stage, displaying a large banner signed by colleagues, in recognition of the organization's Magnet® re-designation achieved in May 2025.

Magnet® Momentum

The impact continues, as In 2026, UVA Health team members head to Chicago, Oct. 29–31 — and in 2027, to Orlando, Oct. 7-9  — for upcoming ANCC Magnet® and Pathway conferences.