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Christina VanDerveer "invests in people. She believed in me even when I doubted myself — and that support has made all the difference!" 

Christina "Tina" VanDerveer, MSN, RN, CV-BC, has had quite an impact on team members and patients since becoming a Nurse Manager at UVA Health Heart and Vascular Center at Fontaine only a year and a half ago. In fact, she's made enough of an impression to be honored with the 2025 DAISY Nurse Leader Award.

The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors only one UVA Health University Medical Center nurse leader a year with this award.

Rachel Nauman, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Ambulatory, and Jenny Ernest, Nursing Governance Coordinator, Nursing Professional Governance Office, surprised VanDerveer with a presentation on Jan. 17 at the 500 Ray C. Hunt Drive location.

“I was truly surprised by the outpouring of support from my team, executive leadership, my husband, and my service line partners," VanDerveer tells Connect. "In the moment, I was honestly shocked and didn’t fully grasp what was happening. I found myself speechless as I looked around the room and saw my husband and so many dear colleagues who were there to witness me receiving the DAISY Nurse Leader Award!"

She adds: "This honor is incredibly meaningful. There are so many exceptional leaders within our organization, and I see this recognition as a reflection of my leadership team as much as myself. I invest deeply in my team, and I was truly humbled by the powerful words shared through the nominations."

Several team members nominated VanDerveer for everything from her mentorship, encouragement, calm confidence, and compassion, to her diligence, open door policy, and more:

'Cheerleader for My Dreams'

Cheryl Mahn, CMA:

"When I started working under Tina, I didn’t realize how much of an impact she would have on my life — not just professionally, but also personally. From the beginning, Tina saw something in me that I hadn’t fully seen in myself. She quickly became more than just a manager — she became a mentor and a cheerleader for my dreams. When I first mentioned I was considering going back to school to become a registered nurse (RN), I was hesitant. I wasn’t sure how I would balance work, studies, and everything else.

"Tina didn’t hesitate for a moment. 'You can do this!' she insisted, with that calm confidence that somehow made me believe it, too. She sat down with me and helped me map out a plan. She made sure I had a schedule that allowed time for classes and clinicals. But more than just accommodating my hours, she constantly checked in — not just about work tasks, but about me. She wanted to know how school was going, how I was managing the stress, and whether I needed help.  

"During particularly tough weeks, Tina would leave little notes of encouragement on my desk or send a quick message to remind me that I was capable and that my goal was worth it. She celebrated every win with me — from passing an exam to getting accepted into a nursing program —as if it were her own success."

"Tina’s leadership goes beyond efficiency or productivity. She invests in people. She believed in me even when I doubted myself, and that support has made all the difference! Thanks to her encouragement and flexibility, I’m now closer than ever to becoming an RN. Tina didn’t just manage my work — she helped shape my future. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.  I am honored to nominate her for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award because she is the kind of leader who makes a lasting impact — not just on her unit, but on every person who has the privilege of working with her.

"Tina leads with genuine compassion, honesty, and dedication. She creates a work environment where people feel supported, valued, and inspired. From the moment you meet her, it’s clear that Tina is a role model. She shows compassion not only to patients and families, but also to her team. Whether she is helping with a challenging patient situation, talking someone through a difficult day, or stepping onto the floor during a busy shift, she brings a calm, reassuring presence. She never hesitates to jump in when someone needs help, and she always leads with kindness first.

"Tina's behavior sets the tone for the entire unit, and we all try to follow the example she sets. One of the qualities I admire most about her is the environment she has created for her team. She has built a unit where people feel comfortable asking questions, expressing concerns, and speaking openly. You always feel heard when you go to her. She treats everyone with respect, no matter their role or experience level, and she encourages an atmosphere of trust and collaboration. Because of this, our unit genuinely feels like a team!

"Tina also is incredibly supportive of professional growth. She doesn’t just encourage it — she actively helps us achieve it. She is always the first to cheer on a team member who wants to go back to school or take on a new role. She helps people find programs, navigate schedules, and stay confident through the process. Many of us, myself included, have pushed ourselves further because Tina believed in us. She truly wants to see her team move up the ladder, and she takes pride in every accomplishment her team achieves. That kind of support changes careers — and lives.

"Her leadership style is motivating in a way that never feels forced. She shares a clear vision for our unit and helps us understand how our individual strengths contribute. She celebrates wins, acknowledges challenges, and never makes anyone feel alone in their work. She is accessible, available, and always willing to think through complex situations with you.

"Tina encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork in a way that helps us grow as nurses and as people.  Beyond our unit, Tina also represents the nursing profession with pride and integrity. She promotes the values of nursing in everything she does — within our organization and in the community.  Tina is more than a manager — she is a leader who lifts others up, leads with compassion, and inspires excellence. For these reasons and so many more, I am proud to nominate Tina for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award!"

'In the Know'

Susan Brown, BSN, RN, CRRN:

"Tina is an amazing leader! She always listens when I go to her with a personal issue and she is very understanding. She is so knowledgeable about the field of cardiology. She is compassionate toward patients and team members alike. Tina goes the extra mile every day to make sure her team is in the know about important issues and that we are all heading in the right direction. She is fantastic and we all love her!"

'Hit the Ground Running!'

Margaret “Peggy” Dame, BSN, RN, CV-BC:

"I have had the pleasure of working with Tina directly since July 2024, when she became the nurse manager of the UVA Health Heart and Vascular Center at Fontaine. Our former manager had retired after many years of service to UVA Health. Tina hit the ground running! We had many RN positions that needed to be filled as a result of the hiring of multiple new cardiologists. We also were steadily increasing the volume of medical assistants (MAs) to help with rooming our patients, review of medications, and assisting the registered nurse care coordinator (RNCC). 

"Tina has diligently worked to fill more than twenty positions for nursing and support staff. We also took on several Earn While You Learn candidates. Tina diligently interviewed numerous people to fill these needed positions and expand our clinic.

"We also just hired a brand new RN who just graduated college several months ago. It is a pleasure to watch this new RN increase her confidence grow each day Tina has worked to improve team member moral due to the high volume of new team members and steadily increasing patient volumes. She arranged treats and pizza lunches. She developed an open door policy so team members could come and quietly discuss any concerns. She actively listened to team member concerns and addressed  issues as they arose. She embraced  our support staff and encouraged them in the support of new team members. She also stressed the importance of working as a united team.

"I have watched the  positive growth of team members who were once unhappy now laughing and smiling as a team. I am thrilled to say we have recruited and retained many new wonderful RNs and medical assistants. I am watching a happy team who enjoy their roles and the daily gratitude and support from our manager Tina. I am thrilled to see a happy, content team of colleagues. One new colleague shared with me that she was very impressed with the kindness and thoughtfulness that is on display here at the Fontaine 500 Heart and Vascular Center. This team member is delighted she chose to work in Ambulatory Cardiology. Tina’s positive attitude has been an asset to our department and also helps retain valuable team members!"

'Driving Force'

Diane Allen, MSN, RN:

"I believe what makes Tina such an extraordinary nurse manager is her all-encompassing team attitude. The entire team: Access, Housekeeping, professional, paraprofessional, and providers are all included and treated as part of the group.

"As a former manager myself, I thoroughly enjoy watching Tina interact with her team and my admiration is profound. Tina’s team is always at the forefront of her concerns. She models true professional nursing in all her actions and demeanor. No task is too menial — if it needs to be done, it will be done. Many times, if there are unexpected call-outs, Tina is seen checking code carts, monitoring refrigerator temperatures, and stocking supplies. Her daily assignments for patient care technicians and MAs are as fair and balanced as possible according to the individual provider workload and the locations of exam rooms.

"Tina’s attitude is consistently upbeat and positive. Before clinic even begins, she walks through, greeting every team member and inquiring about their wellbeing. If a problem surfaces, whether personal or work related, Tina promptly makes time to discuss it privately with the team member to find a resolution.

"Tina does her clinic 'rounds' several times daily to monitor how clinic is running and dealing with any problems that arise. If an urgent concern occurs, she will step in quickly to cover in either a tech or RN role, and has scheduled herself in clinic. She covers RNCC in-baskets as needed. Tina strives to incorporate team building activities and encouragement into clinic life, whether through birthdays, food donation drives, Wear Red Days, or a daily holiday challenge.

"She pointedly recognizes team accomplishments, be it new RNCC certifications, completion of degrees or certificates, or successful completion of MA training. Her positivity extends not only to team — but to patients, families, and any incidental workers. Her goal of constant improvement and maintenance of high patient satisfaction has become the team goal as well.

"Tina, herself a wealth of knowledge and role model as a certified RN, encourages team members to participate in any available continuing education as well as career development such as the Telephone Triage course and Cardiac Symposium. She intentionally keeps herself up-to-date with the latest medical developments and ensures she attends local in-services. She routinely seeks feedback — negative and positive — from everyone: providers, and both professional and paraprofessional staff.

"She treats each team member as an individual whose opinions are to be respected. She receives suggestions constructively and seeks always to reach a mutually beneficial resolution. In all, Tina, with her approachability and encouragement, is the driving force that makes working in the Heart and Vascular Center at Fontaine such an enjoyable place to work!"

'Greatest Joy'

What does VanDerveer love most about her role at UVA Health? "My management role in the Heart and Vascular Center is both extremely challenging and deeply fulfilling. My greatest joy comes from helping others recognize their worth and potential. I feel immense pride when a team member achieves something they once thought was out of reach — whether that’s pursuing further education, earning certifications, participating in UVA Health Earn While You Learn programs, or reaching important personal milestones."

"We spend so much of our lives at work, and I strive to make it a place where people feel supported, valued, and empowered — while always keeping our shared goal at the forefront: delivering exceptional care to our patients and providers. I am truly blessed to serve such an incredible team and service line. The UVA Health Heart and Vascular Center is truly an amazing place to receive care and to work!"

DAISY Nurse Leader Award

Any UVA Health University Medical Center administrative nurse leader (assistant nurse manager and above) who holds an active, registered nursing license is eligible to be nominated for a DAISY Nurse Leader Award.

Attributes include a nurse leader who:

• Role models compassion and exemplary practice; behavior perceived as extraordinary.
• Creates an environment that fosters care and compassion and where attributes of trust, compassion, mutual respect, continued professional development, and ethical behavior are modeled and supported.
• Motivates team members with a shared vision and enthusiasm to achieve better outcomes for themselves and their patients.
• Is accessible, available, and responsive to the needs of others — encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving for individuals and teams.
• Promotes and enhances the image of nursing within the organization, community, and profession.

DAISY Award

"DAISY" stands for "Diseases Attacking the Immune System." The DAISY Award was established by The DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of only 33 of an autoimmune disease. The Barnes Family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring, and compassion of his nurses — so they created this national award to thank nurses everywhere.

At UVA Health University Medical Center — patients or their families, visitors, and team members may submit a DAISY Award nomination.