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Dear Colleagues, 

Today marks a special day in our nation’s history where we honor all veterans and active military for their patriotism, sacrifices, and willingness to serve our country and protect the freedoms we all enjoy as Americans. 

At UVA Health, we have more than 251 individuals who currently serve in military reserve units or formerly served on active duty. We are grateful to these veterans who work among us providing for a more diverse community in which we all benefit — team members and patients alike. We are deeply committed to creating a workforce that is representative of this great nation and reflects our mission and value of equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

We strive to cultivate an inclusive community that embraces, values, and celebrates diversity and creates an engaging, equitable environment for all. UVA Health aspires to be a role model for our community and across the nation, and an employer of choice for former military personnel to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude for their courage, service, and sacrifice. 

Across the country, ceremonies are being held at the national and local levels, some with great fanfare such as the National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington Cemetery and a commemoration event at James Monroe's Highland where the University of Virginia Army ROTC Cadets will join in a ceremony to honor our veterans. We also know many of you will be paying tribute to family members or close friends who have served or are currently serving in our armed forces. 

We value all our veterans, especially our employee veterans today, and always. We thank you and are so grateful for your service to our great country. 

Sincerely,

Tracy M. Downs, MD
Chief Diversity and Community Engagement Officer, UVA Health

K. Craig Kent, MD
Chief Executive Officer, UVA Health
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, University of Virginia

Marianne Baernholdt, PhD
Dean, UVA School of Nursing

Wendy Horton, PharmD, MBA
Chief Executive Officer, UVA Medical Center 

Melina Kibbe, MD
Dean, UVA School of Medicine

Art Saavedra, MD
President, UVA Physicians Group

Erik Shannon
Chief Executive Officer, UVA Community Health