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Zay Foster "immediately jumped into service of patient care without being asked ... because ... the patient was still entitled to humane and excellent care." 

At UVA Health University Medical Center, Halima Walker, MSN, RN, CCRN, NEA-BC, Nurse Manager, Patient Care Services, and BEE Award Committee Chair Hannah Kolpack surprised Zay Foster, Patient Companion, Staffing Resource Office, with a BEE (Being Excellent Everyday) Award.

Every month, the Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors up to two UVA Health University Medical Center team members with this award.

Stephanie Fiandaca-Strickler, BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, Emergency Department, nominated Foster:

"Zay was providing care as a safety companion to a difficult adolescent psychiatric patient with severe autism who had been boarding in the ED for two-and-a-half days while waiting for placement. Patient presented with aggressive behavior and continued that type of behavior while in the ED.

"Zay was the patient's safety companion on the patient's second day. Zay showed nothing but compassion and a therapeutic touch by assisting nursing team members with providing personal care to the patient after he had a toileting accident. Zay immediately jumped into service of patient care without being asked — helping with providing peri care and scrub/clothing changes to the patient — because at the end of the day, the patient was still entitled to humane and excellent care.

"Zay never showed any glimpse of frustration, anxiety, or anger in the situation — was even-keeled which rubbed off on the nursing and security team members around him — allowing for patient-centered care. What an absolute delight it was to have him in the unit!"

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.