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Whether you’re a team member, patient, relative, or visitor at UVA Health — you’ve probably experienced the fruits of Food and Nutrition Services’ labor — whether through our cafeterias, in-room meals, meal delivery app, nutrition, and cafes.

Now, get to know the new leadership at the helm of FNS, which includes 240 team members such as chefs, cooks, patient dining associates, food service workers, managers, registered dietitians, and more at locations in Charlottesville and surrounding areas.

‘Whatever It Takes’

Tony Humphrey, MBA, RD, started in February 2025 as FNS Regional Resident Director — overseeing the Retail, Patient Dining, and Catering Services. 

In the past decade, he served as Senior General Manager at Sharp Grossmont in San Diego and General Manager, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. What brought Humphrey to Charlottesville?

“I was drawn to UVA Health because I truly enjoy working in cutting edge academic hospitals that prioritize innovation, research, and excellence in patient care,” he explains. “The opportunity to contribute to such a dynamic environment while collaborating with top-tier medical professionals was a key factor in my decision. I believe in servant leadership, so my role truly is about positioning the people I support, to be as successful as possible.”

Humphrey says he’s loved getting to know his FNS team members. “They are a determined team who does whatever it takes to take care of our patients and customers.” 

'Delivering Exceptional Care'

What part of our 10-year strategic plan jumps out at him when it comes to FNS? “‘Easy Access and Experience of Care’ stands out to me as a key initiative for FNS to support, as it directly impacts patient satisfaction and well-being. By providing convenient, high quality meal options, efficient service, and patient-centered nutrition support — we play a vital role in enhancing the overall healthcare experience.”

Humphrey anticipates encountering some challenges such as balancing multiple improvement projects including employee retention, timely meal delivery, etc. “But our primary responsibility is to elevate patient care,” he says. “By prioritizing initiatives that enhance the patient experience and outcomes, we ensure that every improvement aligns with our core mission of delivering exceptional care.”

Looking ahead, he thinks he’ll be most proud of making FNS even more of “a highly reliable team.” And he’s most looking forward to “being a small part of advancing medical care for ‘all Virginians and beyond’” per our UVA Health mission of transforming health and inspiring hope across the Commonwealth.

'New Heights'

Don Surratt, MBA, joined UVA Health University Medical Center as Director of Retail System Support, FNS, in March 2025. He’s no stranger to UVA — previously having served in the roles of Residential Director, UVA Dining and Food Service Director for Central Grounds, retail and residential, UVA Dining. 

Surratt was looking for the opportunity to learn and to grow — professionally and personally. “Being able to work in a fast-paced environment and having interactions with our customers on a daily basis was a strong selling point for me as well, as I am an extrovert!” he shares. “The team has been very welcoming and appreciative that I have been here to work with them!”

Surratt oversees the total operation of East Cafe, West Cafe, Cafe at UVA Cancer Center, Cafe at Ivy Orthopedic Building, Cafe at Fontaine Research Park, and the OR Lounge.

And although he says some of his challenges include not having previously worked in a hospital or healthcare setting, learning new systems, and working with a new company in Compass/Morrison — he certainly is up for overcoming them.

Which of the three goals and 11 initiatives of our strategic plan most apply to his new role and team? “We should strive to make UVA Synonymous With Service in everything we do,” he says. “Our customer service should never be questioned. The goal should be to be at the top of industry standards.”

Adds Surratt, “I want our customers to speak highly of the food that we provide for them — that it is not stereotypical ‘hospital food.’ When I hear our customers and patients mention that our food is the best food they’ve ever had in a hospital environment, this motivates us to continue to push the program to new heights! Let's see how far we can elevate the dining experience here at UVA Health!"