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In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, this special edition of the CEO’s List highlights a few of the outstanding accomplishments of women throughout UVA Health. From nationwide advocacy to improving outcomes and experiences for our patients, I am so proud of the ways these women transform health and inspire hope for all Virginians and beyond. Please join me in celebrating their achievements, honors and awards.

With gratitude,
K. Craig Kent, MD
Chief Executive Officer, UVA Health

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J. Kim Penberthy, PhD, ABPP

Dr. Jennifer Kim Penberthy, Chester F. Carlson Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the UVA School of Medicine, has been elected president of the American Psychological Association’s Society of Clinical Psychology (SCP, APA Division 12). Dr. Penberthy is an expert researcher, professor, and care provider and has been an active member of several UVA and regional committees and boards in service to our community. As the president of the nationally respected SCP, APA Division 12, Dr. Penberthy announced her presidential theme will focus on increasing innovation in and expanding access to clinical and health psychology. Congratulations on this important appointment, Dr. Penberthy – we are proud of your great accomplishment and thankful for your contributions to UVA Health.

Heather Ferris, MD, PhD

Heather Ferris, MD, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism and a member of the Neuroscience Department, has been awarded a five-year, $2.4 million grant and a one-year $500 thousand grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study how brain cholesterol regulates both ApoE and gamma-secretase — key proteins involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. As of 2022, more than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia. Alzheimer's currently has no cure, but Dr. Ferris’s research could lead to new therapeutic approaches to the prevention and treatment. We are grateful for Dr. Heather Ferris’s superb work to earn these substantial grants and hopeful for what her research will contribute to our understanding of Alzheimer’s. Heartfelt congratulations to you, Dr. Ferris!

Rozlyn Giddens

As non-profit hospitals, the UVA Community Health medical centers are required to complete a triennial Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and Community Benefit Implementation Plan. Rozlyn Giddens, manager of community relations, led the survey, planning and roll-out of the 2022 CHNA for UVA Health Prince William and Haymarket medical centers. Under her leadership, a Community Benefit Implementation Plan was developed to prioritize community health needs. In year one of this CHNA cycle, Rozlyn partnered with various local community organizations to improve the lives of our community members. She has also been integral to the launch of the 2023 CHNA survey process for UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center, kicking off March 10. Thank you, Rozlyn, for your tremendous leadership on this project and for helping UVA Health to best address the needs of our many communities. 

Vickie Marsh

Vickie Marsh is our manager of support services at our medical center in Charlottesville and is beloved by our patients and team members alike. Using the CEO’s list nomination form, a team member from the welcome team nominated Vickie for her steadfast professionalism and compassion throughout her work. They shared, “She has so much on her daily workload but always finds the time to talk to you, knows you by name and is always available…” As part of Vickie’s role, she leads the Welcome Team, which plays a meaningful role in our strategic goal of strengthening our foundation by improving easy access to care and a positive experience. Day in and day out, Vickie and her team serve our patients and their families and better their experiences in exceptional ways from the moment they arrive to the time they depart our medical center. We’re so thankful for your service to our community and our team members — keep up the fantastic work, Vickie!

Anna Blackburn

Anna Blackburn, along with a team of volunteers and UVA Health team members, recently conducted her last Covid-19 testing event after three years of exceptional dedication to providing quality testing and vaccinations for vulnerable populations in the greater Charlottesville area. Anna, along with Cecelia Magargee, partnered with two Charlottesville-area churches — Mount Zion First African Baptist Church and Church of the Incarnation — to provide hundreds of free weekly COVID testing events and eventually vaccinations, largely in Black and Hispanic communities hit hard by Covid-19. Anna was nominated for CEO’s List by a team member who wanted to recognize her dedication to the community, by organizing and coordinating volunteers over the past three years, Anna has helped to provide 16,000 tests and 1,000 vaccinations to our community. To Anna and all the UVA Health team members who have been a part of this incredible community outreach effort, we offer you our greatest thanks.

Linda Montalto

Congratulations to patient care technician, Linda Montalto for receiving UVA Health’s Being Excellent Everyday (BEE) Award. The BEE Award recognizes exceptional clinical support team members who work alongside our nursing teams to deliver expert, compassionate care. It’s worth noting, Linda has also been nominated multiple times through the years for the Nursing Assistant of the Year Award. She is a dedicated UVA Health team member who is described by her colleagues as kindhearted, nurturing, loving and knowledgeable. What an extraordinary example of the skillful bedside care we strive to provide to all our patients at UVA Health. Thank you to Linda for your help to achieve our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond.  

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