Connect

As part of UVA Health Week, we’re excited to launch our new Connect article series “Hope at Work” — showcasing inspiring stories about how every one of our team members contributes to UVA Health’s 10-year Strategic Plan: “One Future Together|Health and Hope for All.” No matter where you work, you have an opportunity to inspire hope in others. These stories show how.

As the pandemic raged on in August 2020, Andrew A. Drake, Sr., known as Andy, joined UVA Health University Medical Center in the critical role of surgical support technician (SST) in the main operating room (OR) — strengthening our foundation by ensuring superior quality and patient safety. 

SSTs set up surgical equipment, confirm appropriate operating tables are in the appropriate rooms for corresponding procedures, and clean and restock after every surgery. And just as importantly — ensure patients are safe and well taken care of while being positioned correctly on the operating table.

There is also a human element to their roles. “I establish a positive encounter by offering compassion and humor to ease any fears, interacting with the patient and their family members one-on-one," Andy describes. “Going home every day knowing you’ve helped a patient find hope, feel better, and get on the road to recovery — that’s what I’m most proud of.”

The Amherst, Virginia native and Liberty University alum adds that people may be surprised to know just how much collaboration and camaraderie it takes among SSTs, nurses, scrub techs, doctors, and many others — as one UVA Health Team — to make the OR run smoothly and consistently.

“Patients are indeed at the center of all we do,” Andy says, echoing UVA Health’s guiding principle. “We put them first. Before every case — we interview patients, verify that they have the correct ID arm bands, and that the correct patient gets the correct surgery.”

Superior Patient Outcomes

One of Andy’s greatest impacts is being felt beyond his shifts and beyond the OR — exemplifying how our mission of “transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond” goes into action to achieve superior patient outcomes as part of our strategic plan.

Abby Wright was only 7 years old when she was diagnosed with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) on her neck — two years after she was diagnosed with a form of neurofibromatosis: NF-1. From December 2022 to March 2023 at UVA Health University Medical Center, Abby underwent four rounds of chemotherapy — each lasting five days.

In February 2023, during a break from a round of chemotherapy — the young patient and her family had a chance encounter in the cafeteria. Abby wanted an orange drink and a beef stick. Andy, who’d been taking a break of his own from an evening shift in the OR, took notice. “I saw this young girl pushing this IV pole around with her mom following closely and helping her,” he recalls.

Andy — himself a father to four young children, ages 1 ½ to 4 — adds: “I would want and hope someone would be willing to help with my kids if they ever got sick.” In 2019, seizures and encephalitis landed his eldest child, Ellie, in UVA Health University Medical Center’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for three weeks after she was born. Now, Andy “wants to give back to the hospital that saved my daughter's life — and the lives of other children like Abby who are diagnosed with cancer and other types of illness.”

Andy struck up a conversation with Abby and her mom and offered to pay for their meals. It also turned out, Abby and Andy had a mutual friend. Andy realized Abby was the same child whose story had been posted on Facebook in recent weeks, by her family friend — who (small world!) was also Andy’s friend.

Later, Andy connected with Abby’s grandmother Barbara Kleinbach and aunt Arlene Rettew — who’d started a GoFundMe page for Abby. Andy was so drawn to Abby’s story — he was inspired to engage the community.

He brainstormed a silent auction fundraiser and T-shirt and mug sales on May 6 at another friend’s Remington Ranch in Gladys, Virginia.

Andy also led efforts in the Main OR to make cards and care packages stuffed with Abby’s favorites (yes, beef sticks and orange drink — plus balloons, games, puzzles, a UVA Cavaliers hat, a necklace with her name, and more) and raise team member donations for Abby — even reaching out to UVA Health Univesrity Medical Center CEO Wendy Horton, MBA, PharmD, FACHE. “I never expected a response,” Andy says. He received one — along with toy donations for Abby.

Bond for Life

What do Andy’s efforts mean to Abby, her mother Amy Kleinbach, and Amy’s fiancé, Jonathan Harmon, who’s been in Abby’s life since she was only a few months old? “Andy has a big heart to do everything he’s done!” answers Amy.

She reports Abby is expected to return to UVA Health this summer for surgery to remove what is left of her tumor after all the chemotherapy at UVA Health and eight radiation treatments this spring in Northern Virginia. “She’s expected to have a minimum 14-day stay at the hospital after surgery and quite a long recovery process — but hopefully after all of this, Abby will be cancer free! I always think so highly of UVA Health and the excellent care they give!” declares Amy.

And what has uplifting Abby and her family done for Andy? “To be a little part of their journey, helping them walk this long, hard path of life they are on now — it’s created trust and a strong bond among us for life!” he sums up.

In and out of the OR, Andy is impacting lives — exemplifying UVA Health’s unifying, bold vision for the future: to be the nation’s leading public academic health system and best place to work by transforming patient care and engagement with the communities we serve.

An Uplifting Update From Abby, Amy, and Andy

Amy reports Abby’s first MRI in September 2023 did not show any signs of tumor regrowth. She adds proudly, “Abby has participated in cheerleading this fall and had a successful season!”

Says Andy: “Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of this amazing journey with UVA Health since August 2020. The amount of collaboration that occurs on a daily basis in this well-known healthcare organization, nationally and internationally, never ceases to amaze me …. a well-oiled machine with many moving parts that doesn't miss a beat!”

More Q&A With Andy Drake:

How else are you making a difference in your role?

Andy: “One example: we help orthopedic patients transition from having no mobility to getting a replacement, such as for a bad knee, in just a matter of hours. We’re giving them hope and a brighter chance at the future — so they can walk, skip, and jump again!”

Rest and resilience are so important to our work at UVA Health — what are your hobbies; what do you do in your free time?

Andy: Photography, reading, hiking, fishing, metal detecting, antiquing, record collecting, and cooking. I also love to go outside with my wife and watch our kids swing, play hide and seek, jump on the trampoline, run around laughing, and have fun!

What are your favorite things to do around the Charlottesville area? 

Andy: Go up Carter Mountain Orchard for fresh apple cider donuts, seasonal fruits, and stunning views of Charlottesville! Also visiting Monticello, walking around UVA, shopping, and of course — eating my favorite hoagies at WaWa! 

Are you, or a team member, ready to share a UVA Health story of inspiring “Hope at Work”? Submit interest to this form for possible consideration for a future Q&A installment in this Connect series.