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As part of Health Information Technology’s (HIT) ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, HIT will launch simplified email aliases using the following formula that relies on team members’ first and last names: firstname.lastname@uvahealth.org. Email aliases will be rolled out by organizational unit and department between Aug. 19 and Aug. 30. Read below for more information and answers to your questions.  

What is an email alias? 

An alias is an email address that seamlessly delivers email to the users existing inbox, in this case, your current inbox based on your UVA computing ID. 

What are the benefits of having a name-based email alias for team members? 

An email alias that uses team members’ first and last name simplifies communication and helps contacts reach you more efficiently. 

How will email aliases be rolled out to team members?  

Email aliases will be rolled out by organizational unit and department starting Aug. 19 and we expect this process to take two weeks to complete. When your new alias is activated, you will receive an email from HIT that includes your alias details.  

The new aliases will follow this formula: firstname.lastname@uvahealth.org as provided by the legal names from the UVA Workday and Community Health Oracle HR systems

What if I share a name with someone? 

For instances where team members share a name, a number will be added to the last name to differentiate between email accounts, i.e. firstname.lastname1@uvahealth.org.  

What do I do if I have a preferred name or want to change my alias that was assigned to me?  (e.g., Robert or Rob)?

If you wish to change the alias that has been assigned to you, you can submit a ServiceNow ticket via Modify @UVAHEALTH.ORG email alias and Outlook Display name to have it modified with respect to your Display Name in the Global Address List or from an official HR name change. Your request will be reviewed and, in most cases, you will receive a response within 2-3 business days unless there is an extenuating circumstance (e.g., the name requested is already in use). 

How do I know what my email alias is?  

When your new alias is activated, you will receive an email from HIT that includes your new alias.  

Do I have to have an email alias?  

All team members will have an email alias created. No one is required to use their new alias. Your UVA computing ID will not change, and your current email address will remain in operation. You will continue to use your UVA computing ID to log in to UVA and UVA Health IT systems. For systems that require login via email address you will continue to login as userid@uvahealth.org. 

Will the ‘send from’ name also be the email alias?  

No. The “send from” name will remain the computing ID. There are multiple downstream workflows that rely on the computing id for approvals and logins. HIT must work with each one of these systems, and eventually the goal is to allow team members to log in with their name-based email alias or their computing ID.   

Should I expect more spam once we launch the email aliases?  

Team members may see an uptick in spam which is why HIT pre-deployed the email button in Outlook to “report suspicious email.” Please use this function to report any spam messages that you receive.   

Will my alias work with my @virginia.edu email as well?  

No. The email aliases only apply to emails with the extension @uvahealth.org.  

If someone uses both uvahealth.org and virginia.edu addresses and has an auto-forward set up from virginia.edu, is the auto-forward impacted? (e.g., a faculty member has virginia.edu email auto-forwarded to a uvahealth.org account)?  

Auto forwards will not be impacted. All emails will continue to be sent to the same inbox. The email alias simply forwards to your computing ID inbox.   

What do I do with business cards that have my computing ID as my email address?  

In the spirit of our stewardship value, please use your current stock of business cards with your current email address. When you need to order more business cards, you can update them with your name-based email address.