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"I was impressed with her competency, compassion, and willingness to jump right in and help!" 

Elle Dodson — Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Technical Assistant II at UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center — is the winner of a BEE (Being Excellent Everyday) Award which celebrates the important relationship between nursing and other care team members. 

Fiona Reingruber, RN, nominated Dodson, highlighting the CNA's ability to not only stay calm and helpful under pressure, but also to keep the patient calm. 

Quick Thinking and Proactive Care

Reingruber first recounts Dodson’s care attention to the patient, recognizing the importance of her knowing when to get help: “Right after change of shift ... Elle ambulated a patient to the bathroom. After the patient returned to bed, Elle was taking evening vitals and realized the patient’s pulse rate was elevated. She got the nurse and obtained an EKG [also known as an ECG, electrocardiogram, a test measuring electrical activity of the heart].”

“I was called ... by the charge nurse to come see the patient. Once I arrived, the patient was found to be in ventricular tachycardia with a heart rate over 180, and a rapid response was called."

Competency, Compassion, and More

Along with alerting the nurses in time, Dodson also provided hands-on assistance that helped save the patient. Reingruber describes, “Elle was proactive and helped me place the AED [automated external defibrillator] pads on the patient while keeping the patient calm and offering reassurance. She helped set up the oxygen and ambu bag [handheld medical device that helps patients breathe], and she got repeat vitals after each intervention and reported them to the team. This was my first interaction with Elle and I was impressed with her competency, compassion, and willingness to jump right in and help!” 

In Her Own Words: 'Just the Beginning'

Dodson, who is nearly at her three-year mark with UVA Health, is in nursing school and intends to stay with UVA Health when she graduates. What's her reaction to winning the BEE Award? “I come in and try my best every shift and it means a lot to be recognized," she answers. "I’m incredibly honored to have received the BEE Award — and even more so to be the first tech recognized at our hospital in this way. I truly love what I do, and I feel so lucky to work alongside such an amazing team. Every day, I learn something new from the people around me — your kindness, knowledge, and dedication inspire me constantly. This award means so much, but it’s really a reflection of the incredible people I get to work with and the care we give together."

Dodson is in nursing school — and planning beyond: "My hope is to continue growing here at UVA Health, and maybe one day become a nurse practitioner. Being part of this team truly has shaped the kind of nurse I want to be: compassionate, knowledgeable, and always putting patients first. I’m so grateful for every experience and for the support I’ve received along the way. This is just the beginning, and I’m excited for what’s ahead!"

Know a Deserving Team Member?

The BEE Award recognizes UVA Health team members who work alongside our nurses to impact patients' experiences — just as bees and flowers depend on one another.

Recipients go above and beyond to support our mission and uplift our teams. Nominate a UVA Health Culpeper, Haymarket, or Prince William Medical Center team member for a BEE Award.