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"I couldn't be prouder of the care and compassion my family received — and to be a part of the UVA Health family." 

A UVA Health University Medical Center's Administrator recently experienced firsthand the impact of two of our strategic plan's initiatives: work as one UVA Health team — and deliver superior quality, patient safety, and outcomes.

Shenia Thompson, MBA, MSHM, Hospitality and Support Services Administrator, nominated Sarah Bast, RN, Pediatric Emergency Department, Andria Jack-Springer, RN, Operating Room, Sandra Kabagambe, MD, Pediatric Surgeon, and Alexandra Lohn, RN, Perianesthesia Care Unit.

Emotional moments ensued as Associate Chief Nursing Officer Karin Skeen, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, and DAISY Award Committee Chair Crystal Richard, MSN, RN, CCRN, surprised Jack-Springer during one presentation ceremony — then surprised Bast and Dr. Kabagambe, and Lohn via phone, during a second ceremony a few hours later. After all, it's not easy for all involved to take time out of their busy schedules to gather at the same time!

Thompson hailed the award recipients as the "Fabulous Four":

"As I send this note of recognition and praise, it is with profound gratitude and appreciation for the services, hospitality, and care that my son received during our visit to UVA Health University Medical Center Emergency Department (ED). We arrived late in the evening and quickly realized that he was one among many sick children that night. Upon arrival, I counted eight families ahead of us as we settled in for what I knew would be a very long night. It wasn't until the next day that I was informed that University Medical Center was at critical occupancy levels, which explained the longer than expected wait times. During our stay, there were 'Fabulous Four' team members whom I considered TOP TIER and BEST IN CLASS:

'Small Gestures Make Big Impacts'

"Upon our arrival, Sarah Bast was friendly, attentive, and checked on us OFTEN. I'm sure she knew it would be a long wait but with her constant attention to our needs, she made the time during our almost 16-hour ED stay pass just a bit quicker. We appreciated Sarah during her shift, but it wasn't until after her shift was over and she returned to work the next day that we truly realized the gem that she is. I was very worried so I barely slept. Partly because of the concerns that come with having a sick child, and partly because of the struggle of having to sleep sitting up in an ED chair.

"When Sarah came back for her shift the next day and realized that we were still in the ED awaiting surgery, she immediately brought in a reclining chair for me. While this may seem like a very small gesture, IT MEANT THE WORLD to a mentally and emotionally drained mama! I didn't have to ask — she automatically knew what I needed and acted upon it. The hour or so of sleep that I was able to get gave me just enough strength to make it through my son's very first surgery. A genuine thank you to Sarah! This is proof that small gestures make BIG impacts!

"I also want to recognize Emma Truitt for her bubbly personality and her kind smile. She also was very friendly and attentive to our needs."

‘Burst of Energy and Sunshine’

"We arrived at the Operating Room (OR) to prep for surgery. My son was nervous, and his dad and I were showing brave faces while panicking a bit on the inside. ANDRIA JACK-SPRINGER IS THE SOLE REASON MY FAMILY WAS ABLE TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH, CALM DOWN, AND SEND OUR SON OFF TO SURGERY IN A CONFIDENT WAY.

"It was late in the evening and everyone seemed a bit tired, but when she greeted us in the OR it felt like a burst of energy and sunshine walked into the room. If your son is going into surgery late in the evening, you want to feel that the team is alert and ready! Andria reassured us they were ready.

"Lastly, she prayed with our family! We had church members and family calling and praying over my son the entire time we were at the hospital, but to have a member of his medical team pray as well brought his dad and I to tears. Andria was kind, supportive, confident — and what we considered our angel in the OR. She was the answer to our prayers and I am thankful for her."

‘Comforted by Her Calm Nature’

"Dr. Sandra Kabagambe visited my son's room early morning to advise she would be performing the surgery. As I realize an appendectomy may have been a routine procedure for her and one that she performs often — she was still patient, kind, and answered a host of questions that we had. Not once did we feel rushed or shamed for our questions, but instead we were comforted by her calm nature.

"Many hours later when my son was finally up for surgery, I worried because by my calculation, Dr. Kabagambe had been working for at least 10 hours already. But when she came to visit us right before the surgery — she was vibrant, engaged and patient. You often hear how surgeons are working from sun up to sundown, but we got to see this scenario play out in real life.

"After the surgery was complete, we asked her, 'When do you get off work?' at which time she said, 'When all my patients are taken care of. And now that surgery is complete and he is better, I will go home to my own baby.'

"If no one has told Dr. Kabagambe lately, I would like to remind her of how truly special she was to my family that day and to thank her for the time she sacrificed with her own baby to make sure that mine was well taken care of."

'Kindness, Care, and the Utmost Level of Professionalism'

"Alexandra Lohn was great! She had an awesome personality, was talkative, and down to earth. Although she was getting off work (or likely it was past her shift), she took the time needed to explain discharge instructions, highlight important points, answer all our questions, and see my son through waking up from the anesthesia.

"Although she was at the tail end of her shift, she helped us leave in the exact same manner we were brought in: with kindness, care, and the utmost level of professionalism!"

"My son is back at school and continues to have a strong recovery. A sincere THANK YOU to all named above! I couldn't be prouder of the care and compassion my family received — and to be a part of the UVA Health family."

Know a Fabulous Nurse?
"DAISY" stands for "Diseases Attacking the Immune System." The DAISY Award was established by The DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of only 33 of an autoimmune disease. The Barnes Family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring, and compassion of his nurses, so they created this national award to thank nurses everywhere.

At UVA Health University Medical Center — patients or their families, visitors, and team members may submit a DAISY Award nomination.