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Learn how three stellar nominations add up to a BEE Award for Krista Brown!

Every month, Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors up to two UVA Health University Medical Center team members with a BEE (Being Excellent Everyday) Award.

UVA Health Chief Pharmacy Officer Danielle Griggs, PharmD, MBA, MS, and Jenny Ernest, Nursing Governance Coordinator, Nursing Professional Governance Office, surprised Krista Brown, Nutritional Services, with the award.

Several team members nominated Brown:

Camila Corsini, BSN, RN, ONS/ONCC: "Since she started coming to our unit, Krista has made all the difference in our patients' nutrition and satisfaction with meals! From a nursing perspective in stem cell transplant — nutrition can be very tricky, and having someone with Krista's level of communication and patience has been a game changer! I have been in multiple rooms while she is handing out trays and most of our patients know her by name and she knows their names!

"I had a patient one day with such bad pain, all he could swallow was a grape flavored drink. What did Krista make sure was on every tray? That drink!

"She will wait outside of a room while patients are receiving interventions to make their orders are taken. Any day she works there, almost no one misses a meal tray! I have seen her reviewing receipts and if anything is missing from a tray she will run back down and grab it. It is clear Krista shows up to work every day with compassion and an eagerness to do her job well. The nursing team hopes to have as much time with her working with us as we can! She truly makes the day better when she is here!

Gierly Tumbaga, BSN, RN, ONS/ONCC: "I would like to nominate Krista for her exemplary dedication to ensuring our patients in Stem Cell Transplant Unit receive proper nutrition and compassionate care. She consistently goes above and beyond the expectations of her role — demonstrating attentiveness and initiative in her daily work.

"Krista is highly observant and proactive. When she notices a patient has not touched their meal tray, she does not simply move on — she takes the time to engage with the patient, respectfully asking for feedback and identifying barriers to eating. Whether the issue is related to food preferences, appetite, or dietary restrictions — she makes a genuine effort to find suitable alternatives from the menu so the patient’s nutritional needs are still met.

"In addition to her direct interactions with patients, Krista maintains strong communication with the care team. She promptly informs the nursing team of any concerns regarding a patient’s intake, ensuring potential issues are addressed quickly and collaboratively. This level of communication helps support better overall patient outcomes.

"Krista also demonstrates exceptional efficiency and responsiveness when diet orders are changed. She ensures updates are carried out without delay so patients receive the correct meals in a timely manner. Her ability to adapt quickly while maintaining accuracy is commendable.

"Beyond her technical responsibilities, Krista brings a sense of compassion and professionalism to her work that makes a meaningful difference!"

Sheila Gentizon, MDN, RN, ONS: "Krista exemplifies what it means to support patients and the care team with compassion and dedication. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure each patient feels cared for and respected. She takes the time to personally check in with patients — asking about their meals, listening to their preferences, and making thoughtful recommendations to better meet their nutritional needs. Her commitment to excellence every day makes a meaningful difference in our unit. She is truly deserving of this recognition!"

Know a Deserving Team Member?

The BEE Award recognizes UVA Health University Medical Center team members who work alongside our nurses to impact patients' experiences — just as bees and flowers depend on one another. Submit a nomination.