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"When families go through what we did, it's UVA Health team members like Erica Watts who make the difference. We hope she never forgets the impact she had on us, and the blessing she truly is!"

UVA Health University Medical Center Associate Chief Nursing Officer Veronica Brill, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, and BEE Award Committee Vice Chair Allisha Shifflett, AEMT, surprised Erica Watts, Patient Care Technician, Coronary Care Unit, with a BEE (Being Excellent Everyday) Award to recognize everything from her superior patient rapport to timely emergency response, and more.

Chaplain Emily Turner, MDIV, Chaplaincy Services, and Malena Stallard, CNA, Coronary Care Unit, nominated Watts:

"Erica demonstrated exceptional compassion, professionalism, and composure during a highly emotional and critical situation.

"She'd built a strong rapport with the patient, joking and connecting in a way that brought comfort and ease. This caring relationship set the tone for her continued empathy and attentiveness throughout the day. When the patient suddenly screamed, Erica immediately responded as one of the first to arrive at the scene. She helped perform CPR — acting swiftly and effectively as part of the emergency response team.

"As the patient’s family understandably became distraught, Erica went above and beyond to support them. She accompanied family members to ensure their safety, even physically preventing several from falling in their grief. She calmly answered phone calls from other family members and kept them informed with compassion and professionalism.

"When time of death was called, Erica continued to guide and comfort the family as they were escorted into the room, maintaining their safety and dignity while helping them process their loss.

"Throughout the entire incident, Erica embodied the highest standards of care, clinical and emotional. Her ability to act decisively in crisis while providing unwavering compassion to the family reflects extraordinary dedication and humanity. Erica’s actions exemplify our mission and values, and she is highly deserving of recognition for her exceptional service and heartfelt compassion in the face of tragedy."

Another patient's family member also nominated Watts:

"We went to the Emergency Department [ED] and my spouse ended up being admitted. I spent as much time as I could with him, but had to be away at times to care for our baby.

"Erica was our light in the dark. From the first time she introduced herself, we knew we were blessed to have her. She always had a smile on her face and made sure my spouse was taken care of. She always made sure he had anything he needed to be comfortable and even went and got him breakfast one morning. Something like this may seem so small to some, but to us it showed us how much she was truly paying attention and how much she cared about making his time away from home as manageable as it could be. She would spend time with him and be the listening ear when he needed it, especially when no one else was able to there with him.

"Some mornings I would come in and ask how he was doing or if needed anything and he would smile and say no, and I knew it was because Erica was there and she had taken care of him. His time in the hospital was extremely difficult in many ways, but knowing he had a person he and myself could trust, who truly cared about him, and went above and beyond for him is something we thanked God for.

"We wanted to write this nomination because in the darkest of times Erica was truly a blessing to my spouse and myself. She was so friendly and welcoming and instantly made us feel like we had known her forever. She made him feel comfortable and safe. As the patient's wife knowing she was there when I could not be, it was a comfort I needed more than she will ever know. When I was there, I felt seen and heard, and I was not even her patient or priority.

"I want her to know how blessed we are to have met her and how utterly thankful we were to have had her on our team and hope and pray that she continues to do exactly as she did for us. Because when families go through what we did, it's UVA Health team members like Erica who make the difference. We hope she never forgets the impact she had on us, and the blessing she truly is!"

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.

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