4.2.2025
How UVA Health Team Members at Prince William Medical Center Inspire Hope at Work — in the Next Generation
4.2.2025
UVA Health Update | April 2, 2025
Newsweek Ranks UVA Health University Medical Center No. 1 in Virginia
UVA Health University Medical Center ranks as the No. 1 hospital in Virginia and among the top 50 hospitals nationally in Newsweek’s “World’s Best Hospitals 2025” guide.
The newsmagazine rates UVA as the No. 49 hospital in the United States.
Mitchell H. Rosner, MD, UVA’s Acting Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, says the rankings reflect the hard work of UVA Health’s team members to provide extraordinary patient care. “Every day, our team embraces our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond,” he says. “Our team is committed to the well-being of all the communities we serve, and this honor is a sign of that commitment.” Read more on Connect.
Patient Care
Expanding Use of Electronic Consents at UVA Health
Phase 1 launches Tuesday, April 8 | As part of our commitment to improving workflows and enhancing patient care, UVA Health is expanding the use of electronic consents (e-consents) across the system. The expansion will occur in two phases, with Phase 1 launching on April 8. This phase includes updates to existing e-consent forms, the introduction of new blood e-consents for five early adopter groups, and workflow adjustments for inpatient doctors, APPs, and perioperative teams. Phase 2, planned for summer 2025, will introduce additional e-consents, including those for anesthesia, nerve blocks, ICU procedures, and more.
To prepare for Phase 1 — providers, nurses, and perioperative team members should familiarize themselves with the updated procedural and surgical consents:
- Review ELL tip sheet: Obtaining E-Consents With Blood.
- Early adopter providers in Orthopedics, Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and UVA Health Imaging must complete a brief Workday training module by April 8.
More details on Phase 2 will be shared later this spring. Thank you for your support as we enhance our electronic documentation processes for a more streamlined and efficient patient experience.
Operations
Monthly Update: Clinical and Operational Documents
Having a working knowledge of policies and other clinical and operational documents relevant to your role and responsibilities at University Medical Center supports quality patient care and regulatory compliance. Learn What’s New in Clinical and Operational Documents. This month’s highlights include:
- New Spontaneous Breathing Trial (SBT) for Adult Mechanical Ventilation Liberation SOP
- Updates to Incoming Emergent/Urgent Phone Call Ambulatory SOP
- Updates to Use of Patient’s Own Medication in the Provision of Care Medical Center Policy
- Updates to Provision of Healthcare Services to Children Medical Center Policy, and many more.
Questions? Email PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.
University Hospital Lobby: Women’s Restroom Temporarily Closed
Saturday, April 5 | As part of the fire alarm upgrades project on the first floor of University Hospital, the women’s restroom near the main lobby will be temporarily closed. Signage will be installed to direct people to the nearest restrooms.
Updating Access Control System Software
Tuesday, April 8 | Starting at 9:30 a.m. | Electronic Security in partnership with A-Tech, Lenel, and Health Information Technology will begin updating the Access Control system software. This update will begin by updating the server and following up with the appropriate updates to all clients. During this update period, which is expected to last between 4 and 8 hours, we will not be able to update access, add new users, modify door schedules, or run reports. This will not affect access within the hospital or ambulatory locations during the update. Please ensure all requests for access, new users or badges, schedules, or reports are submitted by noon on Monday, April 7, so that we can complete them before the end of the day. If you have questions regarding this update, please contact the Electronic Security Manager.
Clinical Team Members: Help Improve Epic — Share Your Feedback in the Epic Experience Survey
Deadline: Monday, April 21 | UVA Health is conducting a nationally benchmarked Epic Experience Survey to better understand the clinician experience and identify opportunities across our health system for improving Epic. Clinical team members (including but not limited to physicians, APPs, nurses, medical assistants, therapists, pharmacists, social workers, and technicians) who interact with patients and use Epic in their daily work should complete the survey no later than April 21. Your collective input is essential in shaping the future of our electronic medical record system. Thank you for providing feedback.
Leadership
University Medical Center CEO Blog | Strengthening Our Foundation: Expanding Our NICU to Serve More Families
In her latest Vision and Voice blog, Wendy Horton, PharmD, MBA, FACHE, discusses expanding our NICU to add 40 more beds. Read more.
Happenings
Micro Health Breaks
Through Thursday, May 15 | Zoom | Take a 10-minute break to refresh your mind and body with this eight-week series. These quick, engaging, virtual sessions offer benefits like improved flexibility, reduced anxiety, enhanced energy, and a stronger mind-body connection — perfect for fitting wellness into your busy day. Learn more and see the full schedule.
April Is National Occupational Therapy Month
The Occupational Therapy (OT) Department is an integral part of our patients’ recovery throughout the health system. UVA Health team members provide OT services across the spectrum of care in all adult ICUs and acute care units; PACU/extended stay and the Emergency Department; inpatient and outpatient pediatric patients in UVA Health Children's; and psychiatric OT on the Behavioral Health unit. Our OTs start the rehabilitation process, optimize independence with self-care, provide thermoplastic splinting for protection and positioning, facilitate early and safe functional mobilization, and help facilitate safe and successful discharge planning. Please join us in showing appreciation for our wonderful OT colleagues!
Medical Center Hour | Continuity Within Chaos: Caring for Individuals Living Chronically in Shelters and on the Streets
Wednesday, April 9 | noon-1 p.m., lunch provided to the first 60 people | Claude Moore Medical Education Building, Learning Studio and Zoom | Jim O'Connell, MD, President and Founder of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, will share the story of how he transitioned from the role of Internal Medicine Chief Resident at Massachusetts General Hospital to the country’s first street doctor for those experiencing homelessness.
ECHO: The 5 Ms of Obesity Management
This series aims to enhance clinician competence in obesity management by offering expert-led sessions across essential domains, fostering better patient outcomes through interdisciplinary learning and collaboration. All sessions are noon-1 p.m. Register.
- Thursday, April 10 | Mind: Mind Over Matter — How Mental Health Impacts Obesity
- Thursday, April 24 | Move: Move More, Weigh Less — How Exercise Combats Obesity
- Thursday, May 8 | Medications: From Struggle to Solutions — Can New Medications End the Obesity Epidemic?
YOU@UVA Leadership Program
Application deadline: Thursday, April 10 | This six-month dynamic professional development initiative is aimed at fostering leadership, mentorship, and research excellence across UVA’s diverse academic and clinical landscape. This program is specifically tailored for faculty, trainees, and clinical research professional staff, equipping them with the skills and networks to thrive in leadership roles while driving impactful research. Kickoff lunch is April 22. Learn more. Apply. Questions? Contact Jennifer Phillips, RN, CCRC.
National Summit for Building Healthy Academic Communities
April 10-11 | Kimpton's The Forum Hotel | Learn best practices for creating healthier academic environments from renowned experts in health and well-being and how to apply these best practices through workshops and networking opportunities. Hoos Well hosts. Learn more and register.
Hoos Research Champion Awards — Nominate a Colleague Today
Deadline: Friday, April 11 | UVA Health is proud to launch the Hoos Research Champion Awards, a new initiative recognizing the dedication, expertise, and teamwork of research team members who enhance our culture of research excellence. Originating from the Spark Innovation Competition, this award celebrates those who conduct or support research at UVA Health. Each year, three outstanding recipients will be selected to receive a $1,000 prize, engraved award, and recognition in UVA Health publications.
All UVA Health team members who contribute to research — such as research lab staff, clinical research coordinators, grants and contracts staff, core facility staff, and vivarium staff — are eligible. Faculty and students are not eligible. Nominations are open until April 11 and can be submitted by any UVA Health team member. Simply provide the nominee’s name, title/department, and a brief statement on why they deserve recognition. Submit a nomination. For questions, contact Danny Burdine, Director of Research Operations. Read more on Connect.
Redesigning the U.S.'s Broken Health System: The Nursing Profession's Role in Ending Unequal Treatment
Wednesday, April 16 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium and Zoom | UVA School of Nursing is pleased to announce that Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, PhD, MPH, LCSW, RN, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAAN — a leading scholar in social determinants of health, adolescent mental and sexual health, and a Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing nurse scientist — has been chosen to be the 2025 McGehee Lecturer. Details.
Affinity Dialogue Session: Enhancing Decision-Making for Better Outcomes
Thursday, April 17 | 2-3 p.m. | Bavaro Hall, Holloway Hall Room 116 | Join colleagues from across UVA for a collaborative session focused on improving decision-making of all types — strategic, tactical, and operational. Come share and explore practical approaches to make decisions more effectively and drive successful organizational results. Sponsored by UVA Organizational Excellence. Register.
The Enemy Within — How Does the Immune System Sense DNA as Danger?
Thursday, April 17 | 3-4 p.m. | Claude Moore Medical Education Building Auditorium | The 2025 John F. Anderson Distinguished Lecture will be presented by Zhijian “James” Chen, PhD, Professor, Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center. Refreshments follow the lecture. Read more.
UVA Radiology 2025 Tegtmeyer Lecture: Video Game Medicine and Translational Team Science
Thursday, April 17 | 5-6 p.m. | Educational Resource Center, Auditorium A | Zoom | UVA Health Radiology's 16th annual installment of its Tegtmeyer Lecture Series features speaker Brad Wood, MD, who serves as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Chief of Interventional Radiology and is the founding director of the NIH Center for Interventional Oncology. The talk will cover a wide span of topics including medical devices, robots, and artificial intelligence. Details.
Virginia Academy of Science Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 22 | The 103rd Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science (VAS) will be held at the University of Virginia. Agenda includes post and oral presentations, lectures, and an awards ceremony. A council meeting will be held Friday, May 23. Questions? Contact VAS Vice President, Craig Group, Program Chair for the annual meeting. See schedule and register.
Trauma Survivors Network's Race to Rebuild
Saturday, May 31 | 9 a.m. | Lakeside Middle School | A walk/run/cycle/roll event to support trauma survivors as they survive, connect, and rebuild after a serious injury. Benefits the Trauma Survivors Network. Learn more and sign up. Questions? Contact Brittany Nash, LCSW, UVA Health Trauma Survivor Network Coordinator.
3rd Annual UVA Health Interdisciplinary Quality Improvement/Patient Safety (QI/PS) Showcase
Tuesday, June 10 | 11:30-1:30 p.m. | Education Resource Center, Room A | Recognizing local improvements in QI/PS from all disciplines. Any UVA faculty member, staff member, fellow resident, postdoc, graduate student, or medical student who has engaged in implementation and assessment of a QI/PS project is eligible to download and submit a form and abstract by 11:59 p.m., April 14, to QIPSshowcase@uvahealth.org. Accepting works in progress and QI/PS projects. Authors of abstracts selected for presentation will be notified by May 1.
Appreciation
‘Transforming Cardiovascular Care for All’
Congratulations to Christopher M. Kramer, MD, FACC, UVA Health Heart and Vascular Center cardiologist, who is the new President of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) — an almost 60,000-member, global cardiovascular organization dedicated to “transforming cardiovascular care for all.”
“I see significant challenges and opportunities for the field of cardiology in the coming years,” says Dr. Kramer, adding that he’s looking forward to helping ACC lead, while getting to know more of its membership and hearing their concerns and achievements.
Dr. Kramer previously served as ACC’s Vice President and Treasurer — and as Chair of the organization’s Imaging Council.
He joined UVA School of Medicine faculty in 1999 and became Chief of the Cardiovascular Division in 2019. His principal research interest has been the application of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to the cardiovascular system in translational and clinical studies. He was awarded a Gold Medal by the Society of Magnetic Resonance for extraordinary contributions to the field.
