Connect

Aug. 18, 2026 

Align projects with Joint Commission Survey readiness

• Why It Matters: With the 2027 Joint Commission Survey and a busy year ahead, UMC Cabinet Leaders will be reviewing current and upcoming projects to thoughtfully prioritize team member time and resources and position us for success.
• What You Can Do: For projects launching within 12 months, work with your Chief to share its purpose, impact, risks, costs, and proposed go-live date for review by UMC Cabinet Leaders.

Participate in Press Ganey Survey action planning by Aug. 31

• Why It Matters: Leaders whose team members participated in the Engagement Survey conducted by Press Ganey are tasked with collaborating with their teams to translate survey feedback into 1-2 meaningful action items by Aug. 31.
• What You Can Do: Participate in action planning by helping identify your team's priorities and offering ideas for improvement. You are also encouraged to check in regularly on progress toward these goals. Action planning is a year-round commitment.

Access training for Epic Care Everywhere Referral Management

• Why It Matters: Epic Care Everywhere Referral Management (CERM) will make it easier to manage referrals between UVA Health and other Epic organizations by moving from manual processes to a fully integrated digital workflow. 
• What You Can Do: Access and scheduling staff should complete required training in Workday before go-live on Aug. 25. Access team members and providers can find reference materials in the ELL.

Lee Street Garage will temporarily close on Aug. 21

• Why It Matters: New security cameras will be installed during the closure, enhancing safety for patients and visitors. Parking locations will change from Friday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. to Sunday, Aug. 23, at 6 p.m.
• What You Can Do: During the closure, patients should park in the 11th Street Garage. Team members who normally park in the 11th Street Garage on weekends should park in the South Garage. ADA-permitted team members may continue parking in the 11th Street Garage.

Contact Us: Email needtoknow@uvahealth.org with questions, topic ideas, and feedback. Note: Inbox is not monitored for urgent issues; please use standard escalation channels for pressing matters.

Archive | Need to Know UMC

Aug. 11 Update | Exact Sciences interface fully restored

• Why It Matters: UVA Health has restored its electronic interface with Exact Sciences after confirming system security. Orders and results delayed during the pause are now being processed, and all test ordering has returned to normal.
• What You Can Do: Resume normal ordering and result workflows for Cologuard and all other Exact Sciences tests.

Aug. 11 Update | University Medical Center recognized by U.S. News & World Report

• Why It Matters: University Medical Center remains nationally recognized, with high-performing specialties in Cancer, Gastroenterology and GI Surgery, and Orthopedics. New regional rankings place Cancer No. 1, Rehabilitation No. 2, and Orthopedics No. 3 in Virginia.
• What You Can Do: While the rankings do not reflect our most recent data, they are a valuable tool for highlighting both strong performances and areas for improvement. Dive deeper below to learn more about our rankings.
• Dive Deeper: Learn more about our rankings

Aug. 11 Update | Suicide Risk Assessment and Prevention policy updated Aug. 1

• Why It Matters: Policy updates align with regulatory guidance and standardize safe discharge planning. Suicide risk rescreening is now guided by clinical judgment for inpatient and ED patients, while inpatient psychiatry patients still require rescreening every shift.
• What You Can Do: RNs, LIPs, and other team members get familiar with the updated policy and workflows and use them to guide discharge planning moving forward.
• Dive Deeper: Review the updated policy in PolicyTech

Aug. 11 Update | Take a break at Market Square every Thursday

• Why It Matters: Enjoy fresh produce, flowers, handmade goods, and local food truck favorites right on Grounds. The market runs weekly through Sept. 24.
• What You Can Do: Visit the MR5 courtyard Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and support local vendors.
• Dive Deeper: Check out market vendors and more

Aug. 4 Update | Use Epic Secure Chat for clinical communications 

• Why It Matters: Epic Secure Chat is UVA Health’s primary platform for clinical communication. While Vocera voice capabilities remain available, Vocera text messaging has been deactivated. Spok is also no longer approved for communication. 
• What You Can Do: If you need help with Epic Secure Chat, contact the HIT Help Desk at 434.924.5334, or access training resources and tip sheets in the Epic Learning Library.
• Dive Deeper: Visit the Epic Learning Library

Aug. 4 Update | Be aware, prepare for Epic Care Everywhere Referral Management, launching Aug. 25

• Why It Matters: Epic Care Everywhere Referral Management (CERM) will make it easier to manage referrals between UVA Health and other Epic organizations by moving from manual processes to a fully integrated digital workflow.
• What You Can Do: Access and scheduling staff should complete required training in Workday starting Aug. 11.
• Dive Deeper: Learn more on Connect

Aug. 4 Update | 2026 annual retraining launches Aug. 3

• Why It Matters: To support regulatory compliance and our commitment to excellence, eligible team members hired on or before April 1, 2026 must complete required annual retraining in Workday.
• What You Can Do: Watch for additional details and instructions from UVA Human Resources.
• Dive Deeper: Read more from UVA Human Resources

Aug. 4 Update | Join the UVA Health Town Hall on Sept. 23

• Why It Matters: Hear directly from UVA Health leadership about the 10-year strategic plan, ASPIRE values, and organizational priorities. Learn how your work supports where UVA Health is headed.
• What You Can Do: Save the date and join in person at Sandridge Auditorium or via Zoom. Bring your questions and be part of the conversation.
• Dive Deeper: Read more and get the Zoom link

July 28 Update | Access apps remotely using the new Citrix portal

• Why It Matters: UVA Health has launched a new Citrix Portal for remote access to Epic and other applications. It offers improved security, a simpler experience, and more reliable connectivity. The current Apps Portal will be retired on Aug. 15.
• What You Can Do: Start using the new Citrix Portal now and update your bookmark. While the look and web address are new, the process for accessing Epic and other applications remains the same.
• Dive Deeper: Read more on Connect

July 28 Update | QGenda scheduling now available to sync with Outlook

• Why It Matters: You can now view your QGenda schedule alongside other Outlook calendar items in one place. This reduces the need to toggle between systems and makes schedule management easier.
• What You Can Do: Users must opt-in to connect QGenda to Outlook. After syncing, use QGenda Task Preferences to hide tasks you don’t want displayed in Outlook.
• Dive Deeper: Download the tip sheet

July 28 Update | 2026 annual retraining launches Aug. 3

• Why It Matters: Annual retraining helps ensure we meet regulatory requirements and maintain high standards of care, education, and research. Team members hired on or before April 1, 2026, who meet eligibility requirements must complete the training in Workday.
• What You Can Do: Watch for additional details and instructions coming soon from UVA Human Resources.
• Dive Deeper: Find more details on Connect

July 28 Update | Go green by composting at Wahoo West Café

• Why It Matters: You can now compost leftover food and compostable café items at Wahoo West Café in the West Complex. Composting helps reduce landfill waste and supports UVA’s sustainability efforts.
• What You Can Do: Make composting part of your daily routine by placing food scraps and compostable cups, straws, containers, and utensils from the café in the green compost bins.
• Dive Deeper: Learn more about composting

July 21 Update | Exact Sciences Cologuard testing temporarily paused

• Why It Matters: UVA Health has disconnected from Exact Sciences following a cyberattack on the vendor's systems. Orders for Cologuard and other Exact Sciences tests are paused until as late as July 27 while system security is verified.
• What You Can Do: Do not place Exact Sciences orders in Epic or through alternative channels. Use appropriate screening alternatives, stay alert for phishing emails claiming to be from Exact Sciences, and report suspicious messages to HIT Security.
• Dive Deeper: More details are available on Connect

July 21 Update | New defibrillator pad placement required

• Why It Matters: A supply disruption of our standard Zoll pads is prompting a switch to new pads that support anterior-posterior (AP) placement only. Using anterior-anterior (AA) placement with the new pads could harm patients or providers.
• What You Can Do: Check pad packaging for placement guidance, as both AA and AP-only pads may be in circulation. Scan the QR code below for more details.
• Dive Deeper: Read more on Connect

July 21 Update | Kahuna competency management is now live

• Why It Matters: Kahuna replaces paper-based competency documentation with a digital system for nursing, social work, and unlicensed assistive personnel. New hire and ongoing competency tracking will now be completed in one centralized platform.
• What You Can Do: Complete the 4-minute Kahuna End User Workday training and connect with your unit’s super user for support. Scan the QR code below for virtual drop-in sessions, FAQs, and additional resources.
• Dive Deeper: Explore Kahuna resources

July 21 Update | Take a break at Market Square every Thursday

• Why It Matters: Enjoy fresh produce, flowers, handmade goods, and local food truck favorites right on campus. The market runs weekly through Sept. 24.
• What You Can Do: Visit the MR5 courtyard Thursdays from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and support local vendors.
• Dive Deeper: Check out market vendors and more

Feb. 10 Update | Weekly print bulletin, Need to Know, launches

• Why It Matters: Need to Know provides clear, timely, and actionable updates for care teams and leaders. It complements existing emails and newsletters, helping ensure important information is seen and shared consistently.
• What You Can Do: Each Tuesday, managers should review Need to Know during team huddles and post it in their team member common areas. Anyone can email questions, topic ideas, or feedback to needtoknow@uvahealth.org. For urgent matters, continue using standard escalation channels.