Save the Date: UVA Health Week

UVA Health Week is an opportunity to celebrate our team members and showcase the incredible impact we make on the lives of our patients and their families. By embracing the theme of “One Future Together | Health and Hope for All,” UVA Health plans to showcase the impact of our work as a team and celebrate the progress we've made toward providing exceptional care to our patients and their families. Celebrations will take place:

• Sunday, May 7 | University Hospital | Main Cafeteria | 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 6.-7:30 p.m., 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
• Monday, May 8 | Fontaine Research Park | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 9 | Orthopedic Center Ivy Road | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 10 | University Hospital (Near MR-5) | 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m., 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
• Week of May 7 | Off-site UVA Health offices | See your manager for details.

Operations

Planned Power Outage | Elevator Modernization Project

Saturday, April 29 | 6 a.m.-2 p.m. | McKim Hall | To make changes to the electrical components supporting the Elevator Modernization Project, power will be cut to McKim Hall. All non-emergency electrical and HVAC systems will be off during this time. Facilities team members have coordinated to maintain all critical infrastructure. If you have an emergent need that requires attention, please contact Neal Aldridge at 434.531.1269 or Andy Theobald at 434.282.6921.

Happenings

April | Earth Day Every Day

Each year, UVA Sustainability partners with organizations on Grounds and across the Charlottesville area to host a month-long celebration of our shared environment: Earth Day Every Day featuring events and activities such as volunteer litter clean-ups, workshops, art-making, tours, career fairs, and more. See all events.

April Is National Donate Life Month

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 18 people die each day because there aren’t enough organs available to those who need them. During National Donate Life Month, learn how you can be a living kidney or liver donor and access other organ donor resources.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers can get a new or updated headshot taken for the provider directory on the dates listed below. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Tuesday, May 2 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Wednesday, May 10 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Thursday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 24 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Monday, May 29 | 9 a.m.-noon

Clinical Concerns for Novel Recreational Drug Use

This ECHO series will provide a better understanding of emerging clinical and epidemiological trends in the misuse of substances. Featuring toxicology experts from UVA and the Blue Ridge Poison Center, topics will include emerging substances such as synthetic cannabinoids, designer opioids, and benzodiazepines; the increase in nitrous oxide abuse; emerging trends in over-the-counter substances of misuse; and the limitations and utility of routine urine drug screens. While live attendance is strongly encouraged, sessions also will be recorded and shared with those who register. CME credits available. Register.

• Opioids and Benzodiazepines | Tuesday, May 2 | 4-5 p.m.
• Over-the-Counter Substance Abuse | Tuesday, June 6 | 4-5 p.m.

Donate Blood | American Red Cross Relaxes “Mad Cow” Deferral

Wednesday, May 3 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Quayle Learning Center | Battle Building, first floor | Support the American Red Cross — UVA Health’s primary supplier of blood products — in alleviating the severe blood shortage by volunteering to donate blood. Swag Alert: Donate May 1-19 and get a $10 gift card by email to your merchant of choice. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu or visiting redcrossblood.org. Read more on Connect.

• “Mad Cow” Eligibility Change | Those who spent time in Europe may now give blood! If you were previously deferred from giving by the Red Cross due to “mad cow,” you may now be eligible. Learn more.

RSVP Now | Social Issues in Medicine Community Poster Session

Wednesday, May 3 | 5:15-6:45 p.m. | Education Resource Center, Room A (Auditorium) and Room B (Boardroom) | Learn about — and recognize — first-year medical students’ and agency partners’ year-long work to improve community health outcomes. Light refreshments. RSVP by April 28.

Women’s Supplies Drive

Through Wednesday, May 10 | UVA’s chapters of the Student National Medical Association, Latino Medical Student Association, and Ob/Gyn interest groups are partnering with Charlottesville’s Birth Sisters and INOVA’s Inova Cares Clinic for Women to organize a personal-care supplies drive for women. Donations can be monetary and/or supplies (such as deodorant, menstrual pads, diapers, diapers wipes, incontinent briefs for moms, bottles, or breast-feeding bra pads). To donate:

• Money | Venmo @UVASNMA (add “UVA Health” in the description). To donate gift cards, cash, or checks, please contact Eoin Bradley (suq9fb@virginia.edu) or Joselyne Tessa Tonleu (tfw9hn@virginia.edu).
• Donations | Use the drop-boxes found in the Claude Moore Medical Education Building student lounge or the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library.

RN-to-BSN Information Session

Wednesday, May 10 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | UVA School of Nursing's RN-to-BSN program is the region's very best, and offers all the personal, professional, and financial benefits a BSN brings. Classes are once a month, with the balance of learning done online. Learn more.

Nobel Laureate and UVA Alumnus Is Keynote Speaker for Symposium

Friday, May 12 | Pinn Hall Conference Center | The Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, is hosting the H. Pylori and Gastric Cancer Symposium. As part of an exciting schedule of events, the GI Division welcomes Nobel Laureate and UVA alumnus Barry Marshall, MBBS, as keynote speaker. Learn more.

UVA Edge Is Now Accepting Applications

Deadline: Monday, May 15 | UVA Edge is an online program that helps working adults develop career skills and take a step toward a degree. It’s designed for adult learners with little-to-no college experience who also may be juggling work and other responsibilities. Apply by May 15 to be considered for the Fall semester starting in August. Sign up for a free informational webinar. Questions? Email edge@virginia.edu.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 11:19 a.m. April 28)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:15 a.m. April 28)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)
COVID-19 Dashboard

Appreciation

“The Hospital Experience Was Flawless” | Kudos for Our UVA Health Colleagues

To provide the best possible service and care for our community, UVA Health regularly surveys our patients on their recent healthcare experience. Below is a small selection of recent feedback praising our outstanding team members:

• “The admin at the pediatric ER is a gem. She made it clear that the wait would be long and tried to offer ways to entertain and comfort those in the waiting room. She is warm, calm, and straightforward, and helped to manage the long wait for a room.”
• “Every nurse I had was amazing. Truly incredible care. The doctors were personable and caring. The wound care team was compassionate, respectful, and fun, somehow!”
• “I had a simple laceration and needed stitches. I work at UVA, so it was strange to be a patient, but everyone was very nice and accommodating. The ED was very busy when I came in, but I was triaged quickly. I know there were several patients who needed attention before me, but I did end up waiting one to two hours before being stitched up. I felt communication throughout the night was positive — keeping me informed of delays and what was going on, as well as wound care and discharge information. Overall a positive experience, so I'd like to thank everyone that took care of me.”
• “My experience with outpatient surgery at UVA could not have gone more smoothly. Dr. Joseph Park came highly recommended and proved to be well worth the wait. The hospital experience was flawless. I felt well-cared for and respected, as did my family who accompanied me. I am looking forward to healing and enjoying years of mobility due to the care I received through the UVA Health system. Many thanks!”
• “Everyone being so kind, working together so well, the location is so beautiful and calming — inside and out. This was our second visit in 6 months, and we look forward to coming back in one year for my return visit. We stayed for a couple nights in Charlottesville and enjoyed the town. Thank you all for making my healthcare experience a positive one at Fontaine!”
• “I was in a wheelchair. The very helpful transportation staff [member] Crystal was excellent! Crystal was so kind, helpful, and very knowledgeable. She is an excellent ‘front door’ ambassador for UVA! Many patients and staff acknowledged her. Crystal even went out of her way to bring me a cup of water.”

Thanks to all of our team members for providing outstanding, compassionate, and safe care.

Previous Updates

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

U.S. News & World Report Ranks UVA School of Nursing Among Nation’s Best

University of Virginia School of Nursing has earned top rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best Graduate Schools guide. The UVA School of Nursing ranks:

• 14th in Master’s degree programs (7th among public institutions)
• 28th in Doctor of Nursing Practice programs (20th among public institutions)

“Rankings like these are a reminder of the incredible work done every day by our faculty and our students,” says K. Craig Kent, MD, chief executive officer of UVA Health and executive vice president for health affairs at UVA. “I am excited to expand on our world-class educational and research programs over the next decade as outlined in our strategic plan, including through our exceptional School of Nursing, as part of our goal to be the nation’s top public academic health system.”

U.S. News & World Report ranks nursing schools based on factors that include peer assessments, research funding, faculty resources, and program selectivity. Read more on Connect.

Operations

Action Required: Safety Concerns Impact N95s and Surgical/Procedure Masks; Subs Identified

A recent safety alert from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cites concerns about certain Owens & Minor Halyard N95 respirators and surgical/procedure masks and their ability to provide fluid protection. Current guidance is to stop use of the impacted products where possible. When not possible, wear a face shield in conjunction with the impacted product for fluid protection. The supply team has generated a list of substitute products and currently has limited quantities of all items. They expect to have adequate stock of all substitute products on Friday, April 28. Specifics on which respirators and masks are impacted, guidance on what to do with these products, and substitution ordering information is available on Connect.  

Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines — Clinics Cleared to Begin Administering

The CDC recently updated COVID-19 vaccine additional dose recommendations as follows:

• Adults ages 65 and older who have received an updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine dose can receive a second dose at least four months after receiving the first dose.
• Adults and children ages 5 and older who are immunocompromised who have received an updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine dose can receive a second dose at least two months after receiving the first dose. Additional doses may be administered two months from the last vaccine dose for those at higher risk after that, at the direction of their healthcare provider.
• All parents/guardians of 5-year-old children who are immunocompromised and interested in having their child(ren) receive a second bivalent dose must have a provider order.  

The CDC also updated specific recommendations for young children:

• Children ages 6 months through 5 years are eligible to receive at least one dose of a bivalent vaccine. The number of bivalent doses and timing will depend on the vaccine and their vaccination history

Protocol Order and Epic Updates:

• The Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Protocol Order has been updated and is now in PolicyTech. As a reminder, this is a Medical Center protocol order. CPG clinics will update their protocol order accordingly.
• Vaccine administration has been updated in Epic to reflect the revised protocol order. Changes to Health Maintenance to reflect patient immunization status are expected to be applied in the coming weeks.

Team members may now begin scheduling and administering the COVID-19 vaccine in accordance with the revised guidelines.

Patient Communication:

• Patients will begin to receive a MyChart message on Thursday morning notifying them that UVA Health will begin offering a second dose of the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine to adults ages 65 and older and to individuals ages 5 and older who are immunocompromised starting April 27, 2023.

Leadership

Medical Center CEO Blog | 190+ New Nurses Hired Using a Growth Mindset: Insights from our Clinical Intake Team

In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, shares how the Clin 1 Clinical Intake Team’s (pictured) dedication to hiring and welcoming new nurses is a testament to their growth mindset. Read more.

Happenings

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers can get a new or updated headshot taken for the provider directory on the dates listed below. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Friday, April 28 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Tuesday, May 2 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Wednesday, May 10 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Thursday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 24 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Monday, May 29 | 9 a.m.-noon

Free Concert | World Voice Day

Friday, April 28 | 6-9 p.m. | Potter's Craft Cider | 1350 Arrowhead Valley Road | This annual event hosted by the UVA Voice Center provides singers who have gone through vocal rehabilitation with the UVA Voice Team an opportunity to return to the stage after vocal injury. This year’s featured performer is Virginia's own Toni Clare. The World Voice Day concert is brought to you by James Daniero, MD, UVA Voice Center Director; Joanna Lott, Speech-Language Pathologist, and the UVA Voice Team; and is sponsored by the Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery and the UVA Communication Sciences and Disorders Program. Free and open to the public.

Free Mindfulness for UVA Healthcare Employees Class

Monday, May 1, to Monday June 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, June 10 | Zoom | Register.

School of Nursing Bench Dedication

Wednesday, May 3 | 2 p.m. | McLeod Hall | The School of Nursing will honor the graduates of the Jackson P. Burley High School Practical Nursing Program with a bench on May 3. Learn more. Register.

Social Issues in Medicine Community Poster Session

Wednesday, May 3 | 5:15-6:45 p.m. | Education Resource Center, Room A (Auditorium) and Room B (Boardroom) | Learn about — and recognize — first-year medical students’ and agency partners’ year-long work to improve community health outcomes. Light refreshments. RSVP by April 28.

Animating Alzheimer’s | Film Premiere and Reception

Saturday, May 6 | 4-6 p.m. | The Jefferson School | Film screening will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A. Free and open to the public. Details.

Save the Date: UVA Health Week

UVA Health Week is an opportunity to celebrate our team members and showcase the incredible impact we make on the lives of our patients and their families. By embracing the theme of “One Future Together | Health and Hope for All,” UVA Health plans to showcase the impact of our work as a team and celebrate the progress we've made toward providing exceptional care to our patients and their families. Celebrations will take place:

• Sunday, May 7 | University Hospital | Main Cafeteria | 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 6.-7:30 p.m., 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
• Monday, May 8 | Fontaine Research Park | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 9 | Orthopedic Center Ivy Road | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 10 | University Hospital (Near MR-5) | 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m., 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
• Week of May 7 | Off-site UVA Health offices | See your manager for details.

Do You Know a Nursing Assistant Deserving of Recognition?

Nominations due Thursday, May 11 | Nursing assistant awards will be presented during the National Nursing Assistant Week, June 14-20. Details. Categories include:

• Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year
• Patient Care Technician of the Year
• Specialty Technician of the Year
• Certified Medical Assistant of the Year

Earn While You Learn | Two New Programs for Nurses

In partnership with UVA Medical Center and its Earn While You Learn program, the School of Nursing is offering two new opportunities for working nurses to pursue professional development and build their future role as nurse educators and nursing student mentors. The Clinical Instructor Workshop and the Nurse Educator Academy expand nurses' skills and marketability and help address the need for more nurse educators willing and prepared to nurture the next generation of nurses during clinical rotations, in the classroom, and in the simulation lab. Learn more.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 2:04 p.m. April 26)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:15 a.m. April 26)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)
COVID-19 Dashboard

Appreciation

Community Outreach and Engagement

April is National Minority Health Month and National Minority Cancer Awareness Month — opportunities to raise awareness about cancer-related health disparities that continue to disproportionately affect people from racial and ethnic minority groups and encourage action through cancer prevention and control. We are proud to highlight the important work of the Cancer Center’s Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) team!

Our dedicated COE team members live and work in the communities they serve, committed to improving the lives of the UVA community and beyond. They work closely with community partners to develop and implement innovative, culturally appropriate, and inclusive cancer programs that make a real impact within the communities in our catchment area.

Last fall, Claudette Grant (pictured), COE’s Health Equity Research Outreach Specialist, partnered with UVA’s Black Faculty & Staff Employee Resource Group to host a movie screening of Marvel’s blockbuster hit "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" and raise awareness about colorectal cancer. Chadwick Boseman, one of the franchise’s star actors, lost his life tragically to colorectal cancer. 

This cancer disproportionately affects the Black and African American community, but when caught early, lives can be saved. Grant was on hand to discuss and share information about the importance of colorectal cancer screening. Informing the audience about the importance of cancer screening and about the options available was powerful. Thanks to this event, UVA Health saw an increase in colorectal cancer screenings. Learn more. 

Monday, April 24, 2023

Occupational Therapy: Living Life to the Fullest

April is National Occupational Therapy (OT) Month — and we’re applauding our OT Department as an integral part of our patients’ recovery throughout UVA Health. The department’s role involves:

• Starting the rehabilitation process.
• Facilitating early and safe functional mobilization.
• Optimizing independence with self-care.
• Thermoplastic splinting for protection and positioning.
• Instructing patients in orthotics and brace management.
• Helping to facilitate safe/successful discharge planning.

“One of the primary goals of the OT Department here at UVA is to help to insure our patients have a successful recovery from surgery/illness and to assist with a safe and timely discharge from the hospital,” says Dwayne Pitre, OTR/L, Manager, Adult Occupational Therapy.

The OT Department provides services across the spectrum of care for all patient care units including acute care and ICUs; PACU/Extended Stay and Emergency Department; and 5 East Psychiatric Unit. There are also OT team members providing therapy to patients on 7th floor pediatric units, as well as at the outpatient pediatric clinics in the Battle Building, outpatient adult departments at Fontaine for the UVA Health therapy services, and hand therapy at UVA Health Orthopedic Center Ivy Road. Please join us in thanking our occupational therapists for all they do!

Operations

Implementing a New Language Line

UVA Medical Center is in the process of implementing a new language line with the vendor GLOBO, whose services include phone, mobile, and video interpreter services. After piloting, this new service has been implemented in the majority of the Medical Center’s ambulatory clinics. If you still need implementation in your clinic, please email Vickie Marsh at vvm5r@uvahealth.org.  In July, UVA Medical Center will start GLOBO implementation in the inpatient units. The goal is to have full implementation of GLOBO by the end of 2023, at which point CyraCom interpreter services will be removed.

Bivalent COVID Vaccinations

Wednesdays | 7:45-11:30 a.m. | Employee Health continues to offer Pfizer bivalent COVID vaccines, which can be scheduled in VaxTrax through the end of April. Beginning Monday, May 1, appointments must be requested directly by contacting Employee Health at 434.924.2013. Appointments are 15 minutes and you will be asked to remain in the clinic for observation following the injection.

Human Resources

Self-Evaluations

Medical Center team members are required to complete their self-evaluations by Sunday, May 7. FY24 Goal Requirements: Document up to three goals you will be accountable for next year and how you will accomplish them. Include the following: One professional development goal and one goal aligned with our institutional strategic goal, “Cultivating Healthy Communities and Belonging for All.”

• Medical Center team member’s goal must measure how well we work together to care for our patients. Metric: Patient experience survey.
• Medical Center leader’s goal must measure improvement in retention numbers. Metric: Local turnover rate.

Sign up for a goal-setting training in Workday Learning by searching for “UVAH Performance.” Resources and additional details about the FY23 performance process, including the timeline for Classified Staff, can be found on the UVA Health Performance website.

Happenings

April Is National Donate Life Month

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 18 people die each day because there aren’t enough organs available to those who need them. During National Donate Life Month, learn how you can be a living kidney or liver donor and access other organ donor resources.

April | Earth Day Every Day

Each year, UVA Sustainability partners with organizations on Grounds and across the Charlottesville area to host a month-long celebration of our shared environment: Earth Day Every Day featuring events and activities such as volunteer litter clean-ups, workshops, art-making, tours, career fairs, and more. See all events.

Donate Blood | Roll Up Your Sleeve and Save Lives

Tuesday, April 25 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Quayle Learning Center | Battle Building, first floor | Support the American Red Cross — UVA Health’s primary supplier of blood products — in alleviating the severe blood shortage by volunteering to donate blood. Swag Alert: Give in April for a chance to win a VIP trip for two to Sonoma County, CA, with flights, hotel, $1K gift card for expenses, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Snoopy’s Home Ice, thanks to Peanuts Worldwide. Learn more. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu or visiting redcrossblood.org. Read more on Connect.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers can get a new or updated headshot taken for the provider directory on the dates listed below. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Friday, April 28 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Tuesday, May 2 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Wednesday, May 10 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Thursday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 24 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Monday, May 29 | 9 a.m.-noon

Clinical Concerns for Novel Recreational Drug Use

This ECHO series will provide a better understanding of emerging clinical and epidemiological trends in the misuse of substances. Featuring toxicology experts from UVA and the Blue Ridge Poison Center, topics will include emerging substances such as synthetic cannabinoids, designer opioids, and benzodiazepines; the increase in nitrous oxide abuse; emerging trends in over-the-counter substances of misuse; and the limitations and utility of routine urine drug screens. While live attendance is strongly encouraged, sessions also will be recorded and shared with those who register. CME credits available. Register.

• Opioids and Benzodiazepines | Tuesday, May 2 | 4-5 p.m.
• Over-the-Counter Substance Abuse | Tuesday, June 6 | 4-5 p.m.

Save the Date: UVA Health Week

UVA Health Week is an opportunity to celebrate our team members and showcase the incredible impact we make on the lives of our patients and their families. By embracing the theme of “One Future Together | Health and Hope for All,” UVA Health plans to showcase the impact of our work as a team and celebrate the progress we've made toward providing exceptional care to our patients and their families. Celebrations will take place:

• Sunday, May 7 | University Hospital | Main Cafeteria | 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 6.-7:30 p.m., 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
• Monday, May 8 | Fontaine Research Park | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 9 | Orthopedic Center Ivy Road | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 10 | University Hospital (Near MR-5) | 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m., 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
• Week of May 7 | Off-site UVA Health offices | See your manager for details.

RN-to-BSN Information Session

Wednesday, May 10 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | UVA School of Nursing's RN-to-BSN program is the region's very best, and offers all the personal, professional, and financial benefits a BSN brings. Classes are once a month, with the balance of learning done online. Learn more.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Community Walk

Saturday, June 24 | UVA Health’s Center for Diabetes Technology is partnering with local volunteers to plan the 2023 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Community Walk. Many people in the Charlottesville community and beyond have been touched by type 1 diabetes and UVA Health is working to raise support to find a cure. Learn more.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 11:19 a.m. April 24)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:15 a.m. April 24)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)
COVID-19 Dashboard

Appreciation

Thank You, Laboratory Team Members!

National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is April 23-29, an annual celebration of medical lab professionals and pathologists who play a vital role in every aspect of healthcare. Lab professionals include phlebotomists, specimen management techs, medical lab scientists, histotechnologists, cytotechnologists, pathologist assistants, cytotherapy specialists, customer service, computing analysts, and more. They work behind the scenes throughout UVA Health to perform 4.3 million lab tests per year to assist clinicians with patient diagnoses, treatments and disease monitoring or prevention. This year’s lab week theme, “Saved by the Lab,” recognizes the crucial work laboratorians perform every day to ensure accurate and timely lab results, using their unique skills and knowledge behind the scenes to help heal patients and save lives.

The professionalism, dedication, and quality of work is patient-centric, unwavering, and inspiring. In gratitude to our laboratory professionals who provide UVA Health with myriad and complex lab testing — Happy Lab Week!

Check out UVA Health’s Facebook and Instagram pages tomorrow, April 25, highlighting Shain Rowland (pictured), who works as a clinical laboratory scientist in the Toxicology laboratory.

Friday, April 21, 2023

Updated COVID Vaccine Guidance and Next Steps

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has taken steps to simplify COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and allow more flexibility for people at higher risk who want the option of added protection from additional COVID-19 vaccine doses. Key Updates:

• Monovalent (original) mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for use in the United States.
• Adults and children aged 6 years and older are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines if they have received a bivalent (updated) COVID-19 vaccine.
• CDC’s new recommendations allow an additional bivalent vaccine dose for adults ages 65 years and older and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised. This allows more flexibility for healthcare providers to administer additional doses to immunocompromised patients as needed.
• Doses recommended for children ages 6 months-4 years are customized by COVID-19 vaccination history.

To learn more about updated vaccine guidance and operational impact, visit Connect.

Happenings

April Is National Donate Life Month

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 18 people die each day because there aren’t enough organs available to those who need them. During National Donate Life Month, learn how you can be a living kidney or liver donor and access other organ donor resources.

2023 Protecting Health in a Changing Climate: Healthcare Sustainability

Saturday, April 22 | 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. | Fontaine Research Park, 560 Ray C. Hunt Dr. and Zoom | Resources and strategies for reducing healthcare-sector contributions to climate change. Details and registration.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Saturday, April 22 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Outside Education Resource Center | In support of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, UVA Health offers a safe way for everyone to dispose of unwanted or unused prescription medications — no questions asked. Sponsored by UVA Health Pharmacy, UVA Department of Anesthesiology’s Pain Management Division, UVA Police Department, and UVA Health Spark Program.

• Medical Center CEO Blog | Save Lives and The Environment: Drug Take Back Boxes | In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, thanks team members for being our best advocates for outreach efforts to keep our community safe. Read more.
• On the Radio | WINA | UVA Ambulatory Pharmacy Director Justin Vesser discusses the drug take back program. Listen.

Donate Blood | Roll Up Your Sleeve and Save Lives

Tuesday, April 25 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Quayle Learning Center | Battle Building, first floor | Support the American Red Cross — UVA Health’s primary supplier of blood products — in alleviating the severe blood shortage by volunteering to donate blood. Swag Alert: Give in April for a chance to win a VIP trip for two to Sonoma County, CA, with flights, hotel, $1K gift card for expenses, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Snoopy’s Home Ice, thanks to Peanuts Worldwide. Learn more. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu or visiting redcrossblood.org. Read more on Connect.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers can get a new or updated headshot taken for the provider directory on the dates listed below. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Friday, April 28 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Tuesday, May 2 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Wednesday, May 10 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Thursday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 24 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Monday, May 29 | 9 a.m.-noon

Do You Know a Nursing Assistant Deserving of Recognition?

Nominations due Thursday, May 11 | Nursing assistant awards will be presented during the National Nursing Assistant Week, June 14-20. Details. Categories include:

• Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year
• Patient Care Technician of the Year
• Specialty Technician of the Year
• Certified Medical Assistant of the Year

UVA Edge Is Now Accepting Applications

Deadline: Monday, May 15 | UVA Edge is an online program that helps working adults develop career skills and take a step toward a degree. It’s designed for adult learners with little-to-no college experience who also may be juggling work and other responsibilities. Apply by May 15 to be considered for the Fall semester starting in August. Sign up for a free informational webinar. Questions? Email edge@virginia.edu.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 11:19 a.m. April 21)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:15 a.m. April 21)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)
COVID-19 Dashboard

Appreciation

“We Got You” | Kudos for Our UVA Health Colleagues

To provide the best possible service and care for our community, UVA Health regularly surveys our patients on their recent healthcare experience. Below is a small selection of recent feedback praising our outstanding team members:

• “I was so worried about my child before I came to UVA ER — but when I left, I had hope and relief that she will be OK.”
• “I was having a colonoscopy. My husband had died from colon cancer during the past year. I'm almost 80 years old and the whole staff was incredibly caring of how difficult this was for me. It was my … first [colonoscopy] without my husband there with me for support. Thank you, UVA Digestive Health!”
• “I was especially thankful for the person in the procedure room who kindly bent over me and said some words of comfort (‘We got you.’). I appreciated the courtesy everyone showed me and showed each other throughout.”
• “The physician, nurse practitioner, nurses, office staff, PT, CT, lab, and volunteers were so helpful, courteous, and kind. I have never been at a facility where everyone you meet was going above and beyond with whatever help you needed! And that says a lot, because I have worked at a hospital for 33 years now!”
• “Dr. Argo is the gold standard for care providers. His knowledge and compassion is unmatched. I traveled 100 miles for my appointment. I would travel 100 more to see Dr. Argo.”
• “When something as catastrophic as my accident happens to you, you feel lost, out of control, afraid of what's going to happen to you next. From the time I was put in the helicopter to the time I was discharged, my care was excellent. Everyone was compassionate, caring, and professional. All my needs were addressed immediately without question. Please tell everyone — ICU, surgeons, doctors, nurses, anybody I missed — thank you so much!”

Thanks to all of our team members for providing outstanding, compassionate, and safe care.

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Saturday, April 22 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Outside Education Resource Center | In support of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, UVA Health offers a safe way for everyone to dispose of unwanted or unused prescription medications — no questions asked. Sponsored by UVA Health Pharmacy, UVA Department of Anesthesiology’s Pain Management Division, UVA Police Department, and UVA Health Spark Program.

• Medical Center CEO Blog | Save Lives and The Environment: Drug Take Back Boxes | In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, thanks team members for being our best advocates for outreach efforts to keep our community safe. Read more.
• On the Radio | WINA | UVA Ambulatory Pharmacy Director Justin Vesser discusses the drug take back program. Listen.

Operations

FDA Simplifies COVID Vaccine Schedule | New Changes Expected Soon

On Tuesday, April 18, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made amendments to authorization of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines. These changes include authorizing the current bivalent vaccines to be used for all doses administered to those 6 months of age and older and additional dose(s) for specific populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is meeting on Wednesday, April 19, to discuss these changes. Planning is underway at UVA Health and more details will be shared soon. Please note that the monovalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is no longer authorized for use. Clinics should not administer monovalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines and should await further guidance before administering primary series COVID vaccines (reschedule patients if needed). Please work with your clinical areas to remove monovalent vaccines. Read more on the FDA’s website.

Working for You: HIT Develops New Tool for Sponsored Account Management

The Health Information and Technology (HIT) team has developed a new feature in the Access Management Platform (AMP) to help with sponsored account management. AMP manages access to programs such as Epic, Pyxis, and VPN for team members who work with UVA Health. This new AMP tool will provide greater clarity around the termination process of UVA Health contingent workers (e.g., sponsored accounts), also known as contingent worker accounts, and will allow workers' sponsors to:

• Terminate any sponsored account holders who no longer work for UVA Health.
• Identify any sponsored account holder who does not report to the currently assigned sponsor.
• Update end dates, where applicable, to match when sponsors expect sponsored account holders to leave the organization.
• Confirm the assigned end date of a sponsored account.

Read more on Connect.

Respiratory Fit Testing

Sessions offered weekly Tuesday-Friday | 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Beginning Monday, May 1, Employee Health will discontinue its use of VaxTrax as a means of scheduling respiratory fit tests. For all respiratory fit tests scheduled after this date, please contact Employee Health directly rather than using VaxTrax. Make sure you have been medically cleared to test before trying to schedule an appointment, since this information will be verified by the Employee Health Access team before scheduling is allowed. Employee Health can be reached at 434.924.2013. Fit testing sessions will take approximately 30 minutes. Reminder: All employees who are required to be fitted for N95 respirators must be refitted annually during their birth month. This is an Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement and is also an ongoing compliance requirement of policy OCH-002. You will receive communication from Employee Health when you are due to be retested. Learn more.

Bivalent COVID Vaccinations

Wednesdays | 7:45-11:30 a.m. | Employee Health continues to offer Pfizer bivalent COVID vaccines, which can be scheduled in VaxTrax through the end of April. Beginning Monday, May 1, appointments must be requested directly by contacting Employee Health at 434.924.2013. Appointments are 15 minutes and you will be asked to remain in the clinic for observation following the injection.

Happenings

Child Health Research Center | Dr. Seham Ebrahim Seminar

Friday, April 21 | noon-1 p.m. | Battle Building, Quayle Conference Center and Zoom | Seham Ebrahim, PhD, Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, discusses “Cytoskeletal Control of Self-Renewing Epithelia in Vivo — A Framework for Interrogating Mucosal Physiopathology.” Light lunch provided. (Meeting ID: 932 8248 1186 Passcode: 419509) For more information,contact Child Health Research Center at 434.243.0867 or email Carol Brown at cb6f@virginia.edu.

April | Earth Day Every Day

Each year, UVA Sustainability partners with organizations on Grounds and across the Charlottesville area to host a month-long celebration of our shared environment: Earth Day Every Day featuring events and activities such as volunteer litter clean-ups, workshops, art-making, tours, career fairs, and more. See all events.

• UVA & Community Eco-Fair | Friday, April 21 | noon-3 p.m. | UVA Amphitheater |Giveaways, games, treats, green biz, EV demo, Cav Man, and more. Details.

2023 Protecting Health in a Changing Climate: Healthcare Sustainability

Saturday, April 22 | 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. | Fontaine Research Park, 560 Ray C. Hunt Dr. and Zoom | Resources and strategies for reducing healthcare-sector contributions to climate change. Details and registration.

Donate Blood | Roll Up Your Sleeve and Save Lives

Tuesday, April 25 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Quayle Learning Center | Battle Building, first floor | Support the American Red Cross — UVA Health’s primary supplier of blood products — in alleviating the severe blood shortage by volunteering to donate blood. Swag Alert: Give in April for a chance to win a VIP trip for two to Sonoma County, CA, with flights, hotel, $1K gift card for expenses, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Snoopy’s Home Ice, thanks to Peanuts Worldwide. Learn more. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu or visiting redcrossblood.org. Read more on Connect.

Free Mindfulness for UVA Healthcare Employees Class

Monday, May 1, to Monday June 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, June 10 | Zoom | Register.

Social Issues in Medicine Community Poster Session

Wednesday, May 3 | 5:15-6:45 p.m. | Education Resource Center, Room A (Auditorium) and Room B (Boardroom) | Learn about — and recognize — first-year medical students’ and agency partners’ year-long work to improve community health outcomes. Light refreshments. RSVP by April 28.

Save the Date: UVA Health Week

Embrace this year’s theme — “One Future Together | Health and Hope for All” — by celebrating our progress toward providing exceptional care and showcasing the incredible impact we make on the lives of our patients and their families. Join us:

• Sunday, May 7 | University Hospital | Main Cafeteria | 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 6.-7:30 p.m., 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
• Monday, May 8 | Fontaine Research Park | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 9 | Orthopedic Center Ivy Road | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 10 | University Hospital (near MR-5) | 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m., 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
• Week of May 7 | Off-site UVA Health offices | Ask your manager for details.

Continuing Medical Education: Free Training in LGBTQ+ Patient Centered Care

Deadline: Friday, Sept. 1 | Because UVA Health is a participant in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index, our team members have access to more than 200 free, on-demand, CME-accredited LGBTQ+ training options. These include live and recorded, interactive eLearning courses and webinars from the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center and the Center for Affiliated Learning (CAL):

• National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center courses | Register. (Facility ID: 55856)
• The CAL courses | Register. (Facility ID: 55856 and security keyword: HRC)

Don’t forget to use our facility ID! As part of UVA Health’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, we encourage all team members to participate in these free trainings by Sept. 1 to help UVA Health remain a leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare equality. For more information, contact Tonya Fredericks at TRF4G@uvahealth.org or Bizz Glover at EBG7F@uvahealth.org.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 11:49 a.m. April 19)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:15 a.m. April 19)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)
COVID-19 Dashboard 

Appreciation

Collaboration to Combat Food Insecurity Earns Excellence in Public Service Award

Jeffrey Gander, MD, and his colleagues from the Department of Pediatrics — Amy Wrentmore, MD, and pediatric dietician Tegan Medico — have earned the 2023 UVA Collaborative Excellence in Public Service Award, for combating food insecurity in their patients and families.

Dr. Gander originally noticed many of his patients were suffering from diet-related diseases at a young age. In fall 2020, he and his team set up a collaboration with the not-for-profit Local Food Hub so food-insecure families could receive fresh fruits and vegetables biweekly. Through fundraising, the program initially supported 60 families, then received a $500,000 USDA grant to study the program’s effectiveness and enroll more families. In 2021, the team set up a healthy food pantry at the Pediatrics Battle Building Clinic, where any food insecure family can receive non-perishable food items. The pantry has logged about 50 visits per month.

Thank you to these three (and all who supported them) for such outstanding service to our community!

Monday, April 17, 2023

Earth Day Every Day

April | Each year, UVA Sustainability partners with organizations on Grounds and across the Charlottesville-area community to host Earth Day Every Day, a month-long celebration of our shared environment. Earth Day Every Day includes dozens of events and activities, including volunteer litter clean-up days, workshops, art-making, tours, career fairs, and much more. See all events.

• UVA & Community Eco-Fair | Friday, April 21 | noon-3 p.m. | UVA Amphitheater | Giveaways, games, treats, green biz, EV demo, Cav Man, and more. Details.

PATIENT CARE

Update | Medical Laboratory Change

Effective tomorrow: Tuesday, April 18 | High-sensitivity troponins will replace the current troponin assay. High-sensitivity troponins are the preferred standard for establishing a biomarker diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, allowing for more accurate detection and exclusion of myocardial injury. Highlights of this change:

• The Medical Center will use the Abbott Architect high-sensitivity troponin I assay.
• The high-sensitivity troponin reporting will change as follows:
  • Conventional troponin was ng/mL.
  • High-sensitivity troponin is ng/L.
  • Numbers reported will be about 1,000-fold higher than the conventional troponin assay.
• Reference ranges are as follows:
  • Female: < 17 ng/L
  • Male: < 35 ng/L
• STEMI process will not be impacted.
• At this time, UVA Community Health facilities are not included in this change.
• Cardiology consult team will be available at pager 1323.

OPERATIONS

Effective Tomorrow, April 18: COVID-19 Policy and Procedural Updates

Following updated guidance from UVA Health’s Infection Prevention and Control team — policy changes on masking, COVID-19 testing, PPE, and visitation were announced recently with a projected effective date of April 18, 2023, at 7 a.m. Leaders have been receiving questions about these updates and created a FAQ to provide answers.

Electronic Security Upgrade | Migrating Card Reader

Wednesday, April 19, to Thursday, April 20 | To facilitate a software upgrade, electronic security will migrate all Medical Center card readers and electronic access control to a new server April 19-20. This will include main hospital buildings on Grounds and all satellite locations that use our access control system. These updates usually go unnoticed; however, on these two days you may notice a lock going offline for a couple of minutes and returning to service immediately. In the case of a prolonged impact, please contact the ID Badge Office at 434.982.4009 to report the issue.

UVA Health also is coordinating with the University Police Department for support in all locations requiring high-level security. Have a specific security need? Contact Josh Bullock at jeb3pc@uvahealth.org. Please also note that to support this transition, the ID Badge Office will be closed these two days. The office will return to normal business hours April 21.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we make our environment a more safe place to work and visit.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Self-Evaluations

Deadline: Sunday, May 7 | We are fast approaching the due date for FY23 self-evaluations. Outstanding self-evaluations will be advanced to managers on May 8. FY24 Goals: Document at least one professional development goal. Medical Center team members must also have one goal related to “Cultivating Healthy Communities and Belonging for All.” Sign up for a goal-setting training in Workday Learning by searching for “UVAH Performance.”

Resources and additional details about the FY23 performance process, including the timeline for classified staff, can be found on UVA Health Performance.

HAPPENINGS

April Is National Donate Life Month

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 18 people die each day because there aren’t enough organs available to those who need them. During National Donate Life Month, learn how you can be a living kidney or liver donor and access other organ donor resources.

ROSE Program | Drop-Off or Pick Up Reusable Office Supplies

Tuesday, April 18 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Medical Center Dining Conference Rooms 1 and 2 | The Reusable Office Supply Exchange (ROSE) Program is a free service that collects new or gently used office supplies. You can drop off office supplies or take what you need monthly from the ROSE Supply Closet, which includes items such as envelopes, staplers, and desk lamps. Read more on Connect.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers can get a new or updated headshot taken for the provider directory on the dates listed below. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Tuesday, April 18 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Friday, April 28 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Tuesday, May 2 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Wednesday, May 10 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Thursday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 24 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Monday, May 29 | 9 a.m.-noon

Own Your Journey to Your Best Personal and Professional Self

Tuesday, April 18 | noon-1 p.m. | Join special guest speaker Edward Hess, Professor Emeritus of Business Administration, UVA Darden School of Business, and author of 14 books, as he shares wisdom on high organizational and human performance. Register.

Deadline Extended | Call for Abstracts | 1st Annual UVA Health Interdisciplinary Quality Improvement/Patient Safety Showcase

Deadline: Tuesday, April 18 | 11:59 p.m. | Download details from Connect | A UVA Health patient-safety event to recognize local improvements in quality and patient safety from all disciplines. Participants will be selected to present a poster or give an oral presentation of their work. Questions? Contact Co-Chairs Jess Dreicer, MD, Department of Medicine, at jd3nd@uvahealth.org , or Elisa Hampton, MD, Department of Pediatrics, at ep2v@uvahealth.org. Showcase will be Monday, June 5, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. More details to come.

Medical Center Hour | Healing the Beloved Community

Wednesday, April 19 | noon-1 p.m. | Sandridge Auditorium and Zoom | Anthony Fleg, MD, Department of Family and Community Medicine and the College of Population Health, University of New Mexico, will work through his aspirational journey toward healing the beloved community through his career in family medicine. Lunch provided to the first 30 attendees. Details.

Reboot Your Health and Well-Being

Wednesday, April 19 | 3-4:15 p.m. | Zoom | This six-week group is designed to help you reach your well-being goals in a supportive environment where you will get individual coaching, a larger group class, and a supportive small group. Participants of previous sessions experienced a significant reduction in fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Learn more.

Child Health Research Center | Dr. Seham Ebrahim Seminar

Friday, April 21 | noon-1 p.m. | Battle Building, Quayle Conference Center and Zoom | Seham Ebrahim, PhD, Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, will discuss “Cytoskeletal Control of Self-Renewing Epithelia in Vivo — A Framework for Interrogating Mucosal Physiopathology.” Light lunch provided. (Meeting ID: 932 8248 1186 Passcode: 419509) For more information, please contact the Child Health Research Center at 434.243.0867 or email Carol Brown at cb6f@virginia.edu.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Saturday, April 22 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Outside the Education Resource Center | In support of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, UVA Health is offering a safe way for everyone to dispose of unwanted or unused prescription medications. No questions asked. Protect yourself, your loved ones, and the environment by disposing of unused or unwanted medications. Sponsored by UVA Health Pharmacy, UVA Department of Anesthesiology’s Pain Management Division, the UVA Police Department, and the UVA Health Spark Program.

BSF-ERG Awards Luncheon

Tuesday, April 25 | noon-2 p.m. | Pinn Hall, 2ABC | RSVP | The Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group (BFS-ERG) serves as a voice for Black faculty and staff at the University of Virginia in matters relative to the intellectual, professional, and emotional betterment within the UVA community and beyond. Join this luncheon in recognizing the outstanding work of our colleagues at the University, specifically related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Free Concert | World Voice Day

Friday, April 28 | 6-9 p.m. | Potter's Craft Cider | 1350 Arrowhead Valley Road | This annual event hosted by the UVA Voice Center provides singers who have gone through vocal rehabilitation with the UVA Voice Team an opportunity to return to the stage after vocal injury. This year’s featured performer is Virginia's own Toni Clare. The World Voice Day concert is brought to you by James Daniero, MD, UVA Voice Center Director; Joanna Lott, Speech-Language Pathologist, and the UVA Voice Team; and is sponsored by the Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery and the UVA Communication Sciences and Disorders Program. Free and open to the public.

Do You Know a Nursing Assistant Deserving of Recognition? 

Nominations due Thursday, May 11 | Nursing assistant awards will be presented during the National Nursing Assistant Week, June 14-20. Details. Categories include:

• Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year
• Patient Care Technician of the Year
• Specialty Technician of the Year
• Certified Medical Assistant of the Year

COVID-19

COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources

Current Patient Census (as of 11:20 a.m., April 17)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:15 a.m., April 17)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

APPRECIATION

School of Nursing Students Serving Our Community

Did you know 25% of American women struggle to afford menstrual products, and more than 33% of low-income women missed work or school because they did not have the supplies they needed? Our nursing students are working to change those odds.

We’re proud of the health equity work of our talented School of Nursing students Jessica Baachman, Frances Lu, and Da Kim, who began the work as part of Professor Vickie Southall's public health class last fall, and of Rockling Afariwaa, Alexandra Marrero, and Cate Rooney (pictured) who delivered period products last week to the Louisa County Resource Council and its county health department. Thank you to these students for their outstanding work!

Friday, April 14, 2023

Add to Your To-Do List: Give High Fives to Our Occupational Health Team Members

April 9-15 | Occupational Health Week serves as a way to express gratitude to our occupational health professionals who promote and protect the health of our team members. Through immunizations; drug screenings; fitness for duty evaluations; legal and regulatory compliance; workplace hazard mitigation; and health tests, promotion, coaching and counseling — occupational health professionals improve the health of our team members.

As Occupational Health Week comes to a close, please join us in saying thank you to our occupational health professionals for what they do every day to make UVA Health a healthier workplace!

Patient Care

Update | Medical Laboratory Change

Effective Tuesday, April 18 | High-sensitivity troponins will replace the current troponin assay. High-sensitivity troponins are the preferred standard for establishing a biomarker diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, allowing for more accurate detection and exclusion of myocardial injury. Highlights of this change:

• The Medical Center will use the Abbott Architect high-sensitivity troponin I assay.
• The high-sensitivity troponin reporting will change as follows:
  • Conventional troponin was ng/mL.
  • High-sensitivity troponin is ng/L.
  • Numbers reported will be about 1,000-fold higher than the conventional troponin assay.
• Reference ranges are as follows:
  • Female: < 17 ng/L
  • Male: < 35 ng/L
• STEMI process will not be impacted.
• At this time, UVA Community Health facilities are not included in this change.
• Cardiology consult team will be available at pager 1323.

Operations

COVID-19 Policy and Procedural Updates

Following updated guidance from UVA Health’s Infection Prevention and Control team — policy changes on masking, COVID-19 testing, PPE, and visitation were announced recently with a projected effective date of April 18, 2023, at 7 a.m. Leaders have been receiving questions about these updates and created a FAQ to provide answers.

Construction Alerts

• Lane Road Closure | Facilities Management is continuing work on the University Hospital heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) replacement project. This will close Lane Road during the day and will block the parallel parking spaces in front of MR-4. Work will be performed:
  • Saturday, April 15 | 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 16 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • Questions? Contact Scott Guynes, Senior Construction Administration Manager, at sg2tf@virginia.edu.
• McKim Elevator | Begins Monday, April 17 | A project to modernize the two McKim Hall elevators is preparing to begin its second phase now that work is completing on Elevator #1. Beginning April 17, Elevator #2 (running from the ground to the fourth floor) will close for about five weeks. During this time, occupants can use Elevator #1 to access all floors except the fourth floor, which will be accessible only by using the stairs. Questions? Contact Andy Theobald, Project Manager, at 434.282.6921.
• Closures in Lee Street Garage | Monday, April 17, to Monday, May 1 | The top level (E) of the garage and select spaces on Level D will be closed for sealant replacing on the top-level joints. The total impact is 160 spaces. Patients will be directed to park in the 11th Street Garage for overflow times. It is not anticipated that team members who park in the 11th Street Garage will be impacted. Signage to prevent parking in the impacted spaces will be placed in advance.

Planned Emergency Power Outage

Sunday, April 16 | 8-8:30 a.m., 12:05-12:35 p.m. | Medical Center, Central Tower | Red outlets in the Central Tower will be affected by planned work to replace electrical components. During the replacement of these components, there will be two, 30-minute outages impacting emergency lighting and red emergency power outlets. Questions? Contact Nina Green, Associate Director, Health System Physical Plant (434.242.0797, nlg2n@virginia.edu) or Shane Anderson, Director of Emergency Management (434.760.1271, ShaneAnderson@virginia.edu).

Electronic Security Upgrade | Migrating Card Readers

Wednesday, April 19, to Thursday, April 20 | To facilitate a software upgrade, electronic security will migrate all of the Medical Center card readers and electronic access control to a new server April 19-20. This will include the main hospital buildings on Grounds, as well as all satellite locations who use our access control system. These updates usually go unnoticed; however, on these two days you may notice a lock going offline for a couple of minutes and returning to service immediately. In the case of a prolonged impact, please contact the ID Badge Office at 434.982.4009 to report the issue.

Additionally, UVA Health is coordinating with the University Police Department for support in all locations requiring high-level security. Have a specific security need? Contact Josh Bullock at jeb3pc@uvahealth.org. Please also note that to support this transition, the ID Badge Office will be closed for these two days. The office will return to normal business hours on April 21.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we make our environment a more safe place to work and visit.

Bivalent COVID Vaccinations

Wednesdays | 7:45-11:30 a.m. | Employee Health continues to offer Pfizer bivalent COVID vaccines, which can be scheduled in VaxTrax through the end of April. Beginning Monday, May 1, appointments must be requested directly by contacting Employee Health at 434.924.2013. Appointments are 15 minutes and you will be asked to remain in the clinic for observation following the injection.

Happenings

Save the Date: UVA Health Week

UVA Health Week is an opportunity to celebrate our team members and showcase the incredible impact we make on the lives of our patients and their families. By embracing the theme of “One Future Together | Health and Hope for All,” UVA Health plans to showcase the impact of our work as a team and celebrate the progress we've made toward providing exceptional care to our patients and their families. Celebrations will take place:

• Sunday, May 7 | University Hospital | Main Cafeteria | 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 6.-7:30 p.m., 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
• Monday, May 8 | Fontaine Research Park | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 9 | Orthopedic Center Ivy Road | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 10 | University Hospital (Near MR-5) | 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m., 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
• Week of May 7 | Off-site UVA Health offices | See your manager for details.

April | Earth Day Every Day

Each year, UVA Sustainability partners with organizations on Grounds and across the Charlottesville-area community to host Earth Day Every Day, a month-long celebration of our shared environment. Earth Day Every Day includes dozens of events and activities, including volunteer litter clean-up days, workshops, art-making, tours, career fairs, and much more. See all events.

April | National Donate Life Month

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 18 people die each day because there aren’t enough organs available to those who need them. During National Donate Life Month, learn how you can be a living kidney or liver donor and access other organ donor resources.

National Healthcare Decisions Day

National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) inspires, educates, and empowers patients, loved ones, the healthcare team, and the public about the importance of advance care planning (ACP). NHDD encourages patients to express healthcare preferences and for the healthcare team to respect those preferences, whatever they may be. NHDD is always the day after Tax Day, as a nod to Ben Franklin’s quote, “In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes.” Because April 16 is a Sunday this year, events are planned April 17-18. Patients, visitors, and team members are invited to see if their ACP documents, such as advance directives, have been scanned to their medical record. Team members will answer questions and clarify information.

• Monday, April 17 | Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center | Lobby | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Monday, April 17 | University Hospital | Lobby | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 18 | Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center | Lobby | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Work-Life Harmony: Composing a Life That Works With a Life That Counts for Women in Academic Medicine

Monday, April 17 | 4-5 p.m. | Pinn Hall Auditorium and Zoom | The Department of Pediatrics invites you to the second annual Nancy McDaniel Lectureship on Women in Leadership. Featured speaker is Dorothy “Dorrie” Fontaine, Dean Emerita and Professor at the University of Virginia, School of Nursing. Reception to follow. (Zoom access: meeting ID: 917 6795 9254 / passcode: 944100) Details.

ROSE Program | Drop-Off or Pick Up Reusable Office Supplies

Tuesday, April 18 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Medical Center Dining Conference Rooms 1 and 2 | The Reusable Office Supply Exchange (ROSE) Program is a free service that collects new or gently used office supplies. You can drop off office supplies or take what you need monthly from the ROSE Supply Closet, which includes items such as envelopes, staplers, and desk lamps. Read more on Connect.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers can get a new or updated headshot taken for the provider directory on the dates listed below. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Tuesday, April 18 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Friday, April 28 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Tuesday, May 2 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Wednesday, May 10 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Thursday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 24 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Monday, May 29 | 9 a.m.-noon

Own Your Journey to Your Best Personal and Professional Self

Tuesday, April 18 | noon-1 p.m. | Join special guest speaker Edward Hess, Professor Emeritus of Business Administration at UVA's Darden School of Business and author of 14 books, as he shares wisdom on high organizational and human performance. Register.

Medical Center Hour | Healing the Beloved Community

Wednesday, April 19 | noon-1 p.m. | Sandridge Auditorium and Zoom | Anthony Fleg, MD, Department of Family and Community Medicine and the College of Population Health, University of New Mexico, will work through his aspirational journey toward healing the beloved community through his career in family medicine. Lunch provided to the first 30 attendees. Details.

Reboot Your Health and Well-Being

Wednesday, April 19 | 3-4:15 p.m. | Zoom | This six-week group is designed to help you reach your well-being goals in a supportive environment where you will get individual coaching, a larger group class, and a supportive small group. Participants of previous sessions experienced a significant reduction in fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Learn more.

UVA Edge Is Now Accepting Applications

Deadline: Monday, May 15 | UVA Edge is an online program that helps working adults develop career skills and take a step toward a degree. It’s designed for adult learners with little-to-no college experience who also may be juggling work and other responsibilities. Apply by May 15 to be considered for the Fall semester starting in August. Sign up for a free informational webinar. Questions? Email edge@virginia.edu.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 9:19 a.m. April 14)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:15 a.m. April 14)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)
COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources

Appreciation

“Best Overall Experience Possible” | Kudos for Our UVA Health Colleagues

To provide the best possible service and care for our community, UVA Health regularly surveys our patients on their recent healthcare experience. Every week, the health system receives feedback from these patient experience surveys. Below is a small selection of recent comments praising our outstanding team members:

• “My PA, Paul Marshall, was so attentive and caring. He took a lot of time listening and put a plan forward for me. I can't put into words how happy I am to be a patient here. Dealing with breast cancer and after, there is no other medical practice I would rather be than here. I was so surprised Dr. Dillon took the time to come in and check on me. I did not have an appointment with him. That didn't matter to him. He cared enough to come in and see how I was.”
• “Staff worked well together. I appreciate that Dr. Brenin could ask the ultrasound people to fit in an ultrasound at the end of the day and Dr. Calley — along with the nurses — were very understanding through my concern.”
• “My experience at UVA with Dr. Ward and the entire staff was again extremely fast and wonderful. The catheter is out, the stitches in the bladder hold, and I am pain free! I was giddy and happy all day yesterday and still am. Thank you so very much!”
• “Amazing — I highly recommend this facility and staff! Best overall experience possible! Staff are consistently competent, caring, and work together well. (Only problem I had was that my nerve block wore off and I had immediate pain when I woke up. Nurse and doctor worked together to resolve my pain as quickly as possible and provided emotional support!)”
• “Every aspect of the care and treatment I received was professional. To a person, everyone on the team, from the administrative staff to the nurses and doctors was exceptional. I would like to specifically recognize the following individuals: Paige, RN, in pre-op; Sarah, nursing student; Kathryn, Anesthesia resident, block team; Brenda, RN, in recovery; Dr. DeMarco, Anesthesia attending; Dr. Thom, team member; Tom, Orthopedics; and, of course, Dr. Deal, my lead surgeon. I would be remiss if I didn't give a special mention to Taryn at the front desk and all the other unsung 'heroes' behind the scenes that make the hospital function — from the facilities team who keep the lights on, machines functioning, and hospital spotless to the logistics team who keep the hospital stocked properly. And, let's not forget the administrators who put together the great team!”

Thanks to all of our team members for providing outstanding, compassionate, and safe care.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

National Healthcare Decisions Day

Monday, April 17-Tuesday, April 18 | National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) inspires, educates, and empowers patients, loved ones, the healthcare team, and the public about the importance of advance care planning (ACP). NHDD encourages patients to express healthcare preferences and for the healthcare team to respect those preferences, whatever they may be. NHDD is always the day after Tax Day, as a nod to Ben Franklin’s quote, “In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes.”

Because April 16 is a Sunday this year, events are planned April 17-18. Patients, visitors, and team members are invited to see if their ACP documents, such as advance directives, have been scanned to their medical record. Team members will answer questions and clarify information.

• Monday, April 17 | Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center | Lobby | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Monday, April 17 | University Hospital | Lobby | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 18 | Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center | Lobby | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Patient Care

Update | Medical Laboratory Change

Effective Tuesday, April 18 | High-sensitivity troponins will replace the current troponin assay. High-sensitivity troponins are the preferred standard for establishing a biomarker diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, allowing for more accurate detection and exclusion of myocardial injury. Highlights of this change:

• The Medical Center will use the Abbott Architect high-sensitivity troponin I assay.
• The high-sensitivity troponin reporting will change as follows:
  • Conventional troponin was ng/mL.
  • High-sensitivity troponin is ng/L.
  • Numbers reported will be about 1,000-fold higher than the conventional troponin assay.
• Reference ranges are as follows:
  • Female: < 17 ng/L
  • Male: < 35 ng/L
• STEMI process will not be impacted.
• At this time, UVA Community Health facilities are not included in this change.
• Cardiology consult team will be available at pager 1323.

Operations

FAQ | COVID-19 Policy and Procedural Updates

Following updated guidance from UVA Health’s Infection Prevention and Control team — policy changes on masking, COVID-19 testing, PPE, and visitation were recently announced with a projected effective date of April 18, 2023, at 7 a.m. Leaders have been receiving questions about these updates and created a FAQ to provide answers.

Construction Alerts

• Lane Road Closure | Facilities Management continues work on University Hospital heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) replacement project. This will close Lane Road during the day and will block the parallel parking spaces in front of MR-4. Work will be performed:
  • Saturday, April 15 | 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 16 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • Questions? Contact Scott Guynes, Senior Construction Administration Manager, at sg2tf@virginia.edu.
• McKim Elevator | Begins Monday, April 17 | A project to modernize the two McKim Hall elevators is preparing to begin its second phase now that work is wrapping up on Elevator #1. Beginning April 17, Elevator #2 (running from the ground to the fourth floor) will close for about five weeks. During this time, occupants can use Elevator #1 to access all floors except the fourth floor, which will be accessible only by using the stairs. Questions? Contact Andy Theobald, Project Manager, at 434.282.6921.
• Closures in Lee Street Garage | Monday, April 17, to Monday, May 1 | The top level (E) of the garage and select spaces on Level D will be closed for sealant replacement on the top-level joints. 160 spaces will be affected. Patients will be directed to park in the 11th Street Garage for overflow times. It is not anticipated that team members who park in the 11th Street Garage will be impacted. Signage to prevent parking in the impacted spaces will be placed in advance.

Planned Emergency Power Outage

Sunday, April 16 | 8-8:30 a.m., 12:05-12:35 p.m. | Medical Center, Central Tower | Red outlets in the Central Tower will be affected by planned work to replace electrical components, during which there will be two, 30-minute outages impacting emergency lighting and red emergency power outlets. Questions? Contact Nina Green, Associate Director, Health System Physical Plant (434.242.0797, nlg2n@virginia.edu) or Shane Anderson, Director of Emergency Management (434.760.1271, ShaneAnderson@virginia.edu).

Electronic Security Upgrade | Migrating Card Readers

Wednesday, April 19, to Thursday, April 20 | To facilitate a software upgrade, electronic security will migrate all Medical Center card readers and electronic access control to a new server April 19-20. This will include main hospital buildings on Grounds and all satellite locations that use our access control system. These updates usually go unnoticed; however, on these two days you may notice a lock going offline for a couple of minutes and returning to service immediately. In the case of a prolonged impact, please contact the ID Badge Office at 434.982.4009 to report the issue.

UVA Health also is coordinating with the University Police Department for support in all locations requiring high-level security. Have a specific security need? Contact Josh Bullock at jeb3pc@uvahealth.org. Please also note that to support this transition, the ID Badge Office will be closed these two days. The office will return to normal business hours April 21.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we make our environment a more safe place to work and visit.

Respiratory Fit Testing

Sessions offered weekly Tuesday-Friday | 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Beginning Monday, May 1, Employee Health will discontinue its use of VaxTrax as a means of scheduling respiratory fit tests. For all respiratory fit tests scheduled after this date, please contact Employee Health directly rather than using VaxTrax. Make sure you have been medically cleared to test before trying to schedule an appointment, since this information will be verified by the Employee Health Access team before scheduling is allowed. Employee Health can be reached at 434.924.2013. Fit testing sessions will take approximately 30 minutes. Reminder: All employees who are required to be fitted for N95 respirators must be refitted annually during their birth month. This is an Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement and is also an ongoing compliance requirement of policy OCH-002. You will receive communication from Employee Health when you are due to be retested. Learn more.

Leadership

Medical Center CEO Blog | Help Us Share Your UVA Health Story

In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, wants to hear your story — a small moment of kindness or a big impact on a patient’s life. Read more.

Happenings

Save the Date: UVA Health Week

May 7-12 | UVA Health Week is an opportunity to celebrate our team members and showcase the incredible impact we make on the lives of our patients and their families. Mark your calendars. Details to come.

Earth Day Every Day

April | Each year, UVA Sustainability partners with organizations on Grounds and across the Charlottesville-area community to host Earth Day Every Day, a month-long celebration of our shared environment. Earth Day Every Day includes dozens of events and activities, including volunteer litter clean-up days, workshops, art-making, tours, career fairs, and much more. See all events.

Taking a Break: Understanding Different Types of Faculty Leave

Thursday, April 13 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Please join Faculty Guide Bethany Teachman for a discussion about the different types of leave available to UVA faculty. This informal presentation and discussion allows faculty to raise questions so they can get the information they need to figure out leave options. Zoom link to be provided following registration. Learn more. Register. Questions? Contact Donna Broshek at dkb6v@virginia.edu.

Nominate Now | Hoos Building Bridges Award

Deadline: Friday, April 14 | The Hoos Building Bridges Award recognizes team members who demonstrate leadership and build thoughtful collaborations and relationships across schools, units, and/or departments that advance our work as an institution. Those eligible for consideration include: currently employed, salaried, and non-probationary University staff; classified staff; UPG staff; UVA Health team members; and contingent workers (UVA Foundation, Aramark, Morrisons). Faculty are ineligible for this award. Questions? Email AskHR@virginia.edu. Learn more.

Call for Nominations | Kendig Research Award

Deadline: Friday, April 14 | The Kendig Research Award is given annually to a fellow in the School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics who has demonstrated excellence in clinical or basic science research over the course of their fellowship. For more information, email RpedsResearch@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Learn more.

Vest Memorial Lecture Series

Friday, April 14 | 7 a.m.-4 p.m. | Education Resource Center, Meeting Rooms A and B; Zoom | The annual Vest Visiting Professorship in Urology lecture will feature David Ginsberg, MD, Professor of Clinical Urology, Keck Hospital of USC. The day-long event will feature case presentations followed by various talks about complex urologic topics. RSVP to Meghan Rover at mir9w@virginia.edu. (Meeting ID: 945 9937 8064 / Passcode: 747005)

UVA Health Maternal Critical Care Conference

Friday, April 14, and Saturday, April 15 | Virtual and in person | The Draftsman Hotel | Main sessions will present an overview of maternal morbidity and mortality, common and unique obstetric emergencies, and bridge building between labor and delivery and the critical care units. Designed for physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, ICU nurses, labor and delivery nurses, pharmacists, and all other healthcare providers with an interest in maternal critical care. CME credits available. Details and registration. 

Deadline Extended | Call for Abstracts | 1st Annual UVA Health Interdisciplinary Quality Improvement/Patient Safety Showcase

Deadline: Tuesday, April 18 | 11:59 p.m. | Download details from Connect | A UVA Health patient-safety event to recognize local improvements in quality and patient safety from all disciplines. Participants will be selected to present a poster or give an oral presentation of their work. Questions? Contact Co-Chairs Jess Dreicer, MD, Department of Medicine, at jd3nd@uvahealth.org, or Elisa Hampton, MD, Department of Pediatrics, at ep2v@uvahealth.org. Showcase will be Monday, June 5, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. More details to come.

Work-Life Harmony: Composing a Life That Works With a Life That Counts for Women in Academic Medicine

Monday, April 17 | 4-5 p.m. | Pinn Hall Auditorium and Zoom | The Department of Pediatrics invites you to the second annual Nancy McDaniel Lectureship on Women in Leadership. Featured speaker is Dorothy “Dorrie” Fontaine, Dean Emerita and Professor at the University of Virginia, School of Nursing. Reception to follow. (Zoom access: meeting ID: 917 6795 9254 / passcode: 944100) Details.

Own Your Journey to Your Best Personal and Professional Self

Tuesday, April 18 | noon-1 p.m. | Join special guest speaker Edward Hess, Professor Emeritus of Business Administration, UVA Darden School of Business, and author of 14 books, as he shares wisdom on high organizational and human performance. Register.

Managing Conflict and Advocating for Yourself: Who Can Help?

Thursday, April 20 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Join Faculty Guides Bethany Teachman and Donna Broshek, along with Ombudsperson Amanda Monaco and representatives from Human Resources, for a discussion about strategies to address workplace conflict and the options available to UVA faculty to address complaints and concerns. Zoom link provided after registration. Register.

Child Health Research Center | Dr. Seham Ebrahim Seminar

Friday, April 21 | noon-1 p.m. | Battle Building, Quayle Conference Center and Zoom | Seham Ebrahim, PhD, Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, will discuss “Cytoskeletal Control of Self-Renewing Epithelia in Vivo — A Framework for Interrogating Mucosal Physiopathology.” Light lunch provided. (Meeting ID: 932 8248 1186 Passcode: 419509) For more information, please contact the Child Health Research Center at 434.243.0867 or email Carol Brown at cb6f@virginia.edu.

2023 Protecting Health in a Changing Climate: Healthcare Sustainability

Saturday, April 22 | 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. | Fontaine Research Park, 560 Ray C. Hunt Dr. and Zoom | The health sector’s global climate footprint is massive — if it were a country, it would be the fifth-largest emitter on the planet, and the U.S. healthcare sector is the worst offender. This conference equips those who are interested in healthcare sustainability with resources and strategies for reducing healthcare-sector contributions to climate change. Details and registration.

BSF-ERG Awards Luncheon

Tuesday, April 25 | noon-2 p.m. | Pinn Hall, 2ABC | RSVP | The Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group (BFS-ERG) serves as a voice for Black faculty and staff at the University of Virginia in matters relative to the intellectual, professional, and emotional betterment within the UVA community and beyond. Join this luncheon in recognizing the outstanding work of our colleagues at the University, specifically related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Free Mindfulness for UVA Healthcare Employees Class

Monday, May 1, to Monday June 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, June 10 | Zoom | Register.

Social Issues in Medicine Community Poster Session

Wednesday, May 3 | 5:15-6:45 p.m. | Education Resource Center, Room A (Auditorium) and Room B (Boardroom) | Recognize first-year medical students and agency partners and learn about their year-long work to improve community health outcomes. Light refreshments. RSVP by April 28.

11th Annual Research Trainee Competition

Friday, May 12 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Battle Building, Quayle Center | Features presentations by residents, medical fellows, medical students, graduate students, and undergraduates. Trainees of any member of the Department of Pediatrics or the Child Health Research Center are encouraged to participate. Details. Scroll to the bottom of the web page for abstract guidelines.

Call for Abstracts | 35th Annual Research Symposium

Thursday, May 25 | Battle Building, Quayle Center | UVA Children’s Child Health Research Center invites you to a full day of presentations, awards, and a featured speaker. Participants will display poster presentations summarizing their work, followed by the opportunity for a lively discussion with faculty and colleagues. Abstracts due Friday, April 14. Details. Scroll to the bottom of the web page for abstract guidelines.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 11:04 p.m. April 12)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:15 a.m. April 12)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)
COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources

Appreciation

Kudos to Michelle Monk, MSW

Quality Insights Renal Network 5 shares important information about COVID-19 and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that dialysis facilities need.

They recently spotlighted our own Michelle Monk, MSW , Augusta Dialysis, “... for her outstanding commitment to pursuing positive patient outcomes and network goals. Michelle has long collaborated enthusiastically with the network from presenting on national CMS webinars to providing insight and best practices on behavioral health tools. She has become a go-to person for the Network through her years of commitment to her patients, consulting tenaciously with the network to salvage patient-facility relationships and avoiding involuntary discharges, hosting in-house case reviews to tackle difficult cases, and fully engaging patients in all aspects of healthcare … thank you for your continued commitment to optimal patient well-being and support for ongoing quality improvement.”

We echo those sentiments — thank you, MIchelle, for your dedication to our patients and their families!

Monday, April 10, 2023

April Is National Donate Life Month

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 18 people die each day because there aren’t enough organs available to those who need them.

During National Donate Life Month, learn how you can be a living kidney or liver donor and access other organ donor resources.

Operations

Monthly Epic Update

Changes go live Tuesday, April 11 | This month’s Epic updates will impact ambulatory and inpatient LIPs, nurses, and therapy services. Details about the latest changes can be found in the Epic Update Bundle. Questions? Contact the Help Desk at 434.924.5334.

Construction Alerts

• Lane Road Closure | Facilities Management is continuing work on the University Hospital heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) replacement project. This will close Lane Road during the day and will block the parallel parking spaces in front of MR-4. Work will be performed:
  • Saturday, April 15 | 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 16 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • Questions? Contact Scott Guynes, Senior Construction Administration Manager, at sg2tf@virginia.edu.
• McKim Elevator | Begins Monday, April 17 | A project to modernize the two McKim Hall elevators is preparing to begin its second phase now that work is completing on Elevator #1. Beginning April 17, Elevator #2 (running from the ground to the fourth floor) will close for about five weeks. During this time, occupants can use Elevator #1 to access all floors except the fourth floor, which will be accessible only by using the stairs. Questions? Contact Andy Theobald, Project Manager, at 434.282.6921.

Planned Emergency Power Outage

Sunday, April 16 | 8-8:30 a.m., 12:05-12:35 p.m. | Medical Center, Central Tower | Red outlets in the Central Tower will be affected by planned work to replace electrical components. During the replacement of these components, there will be two 30-minute outages impacting emergency lighting and red emergency power outlets. Questions? Contact Nina Green, Associate Director, Health System Physical Plant (434.242.0797, nlg2n@virginia.edu) or Shane Anderson, Director of Emergency Management (434.760.1271, ShaneAnderson@virginia.edu).

Bivalent COVID Vaccinations

Wednesdays | 7:45-11:30 a.m. | Employee Health continues to offer Pfizer bivalent COVID vaccines and can be scheduled in VaxTrax through the end of April. Beginning Monday, May 1, appointments must be requested directly by contacting Employee Health at 434.924.2013. Appointments are 15 minutes and you will be asked to remain in the clinic for observation following the injection.

Human Resources

Self-Evaluations

Reminder: FY23 self-evaluations are due May 7. FY24 Goals: Document up to three goals you will be accountable for next year and how you will accomplish them. Include the following: One professional development goal and one goal aligned with our institutional strategic goal, “Cultivating Healthy Communities and Belonging for All.” Sign up for a goal-setting training in Workday Learning by searching for “UVAH Performance.” Resources and additional details about the FY23 performance process, including the timeline for classified staff, can be found on the UVA Health Performance website.

Benefits Wednesday: Meet With a Counselor

Wednesday, April 12 | Medical Center Dining Conference Room 3 | 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Human Resources team will have a benefits counselor on site at the Medical Center every month in 2023 to discuss your benefits and provide an opportunity for you to ask questions. No appointments necessary; walk-ins welcome.

Happenings

Save the Date: UVA Health Week

May 7-12 | UVA Health Week is an opportunity to celebrate our team members and showcase the incredible impact we make on the lives of our patients and their families. Mark your calendars. Details to come. 

RN-to-BSN Information Sessions

UVA School of Nursing's RN-to-BSN program is the region's very best, and offers all the personal, professional, and financial benefits a BSN brings. Classes are once a month, with the balance of learning done online. Learn more. Upcoming sessions:

• Monday, April 10 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Zoom
• Wednesday, May 10 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom

Active Attacker Prevention and Response Training

Tuesday, April 11 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Newcomb Hall South Meeting Room | In this 60-minute training, the Department of Safety & Security will discuss what the University Threat Assessment Team, Office of Emergency Management, and Police Department are doing to prevent — and if needed, respond to and notify — the UVA community of an active attacker event. Participants will learn about Emergency Notifications, how to report concerning behavior, and easy-to-remember options for people who are faced with a violent situation. This training is free and open to all students, employees, faculty, and staff of the Academic and UVA Health divisions. For more information, contact Rachel Slotter, Office of Emergency Management, at ras5zm@virginia.edu. Register.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers can get a new or updated headshot taken for the provider directory on the dates listed below. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Wednesday, April 12 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Tuesday, April 18 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Friday, April 28 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Tuesday, May 2 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Wednesday, May 10 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Thursday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 24 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Monday, May 29 | 9 a.m.-noon

Vest Memorial Lecture Series

Friday, April 14 | 7 a.m.-4 p.m. | Education Resource Center, Meeting Rooms A and B; Zoom | The annual Vest Visiting Professorship in Urology lecture will feature David Ginsberg, MD, Professor of Clinical Urology, Keck Hospital of USC. The day-long event will feature case presentations followed by various talks about complex urologic topics. RSVP with Meghan Rover at mir9w@virginia.edu. (Meeting ID: 945 9937 8064 / Passcode: 747005)

Call for Nominations | Kendig Research Award

Deadline: Friday, April 14 | The Kendig Research Award is given annually to a fellow in the School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics who has demonstrated excellence in clinical or basic science research over the course of their fellowship. For more information, email RpedsResearch@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Learn more.

UVA Health Maternal Critical Care Conference

Friday, April 14, and Saturday, April 15 | Virtual and in person | The Draftsman Hotel |The main sessions will present an overview of maternal morbidity and mortality, common and unique obstetric emergencies, and how to build bridges between labor and delivery and the critical care units. Designed for physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, ICU nurses, labor and delivery nurses, pharmacists, and all other healthcare providers with an interest in maternal critical care. CME credits available. Details and registration.

National Healthcare Decisions Day

National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) inspires, educates, and empowers patients, loved ones, the healthcare team, and the public about the importance of advance care planning (ACP). NHDD encourages patients to express healthcare preferences and for the healthcare team to respect those preferences, whatever they may be. NHDD is always the day after Tax Day, as a nod to Ben Franklin’s quote, “In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes.” Because April 16 is a Sunday this year, events are planned April 17 and 18. Patients, visitors, and team members are invited to see if their ACP documents, such as advance directives, have been scanned to their medical record. Team members will answer questions and clarify information.

• Monday, April 17 | Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center | Lobby | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Monday, April 17 | University Hospital | Lobby | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 18 | Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center | Lobby | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

ROSE Program | Drop-Off or Pick Up Reusable Office Supplies

Tuesday, April 18 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Medical Center Dining Conference Rooms 1 and 2 | The Reusable Office Supply Exchange (ROSE) Program is a free service that collects new or gently used office supplies. You can drop off office supplies or take what you need monthly from the ROSE Supply Closet, which includes items such as envelopes, staplers, and desk lamps. Read more on Connect.

Free Concert | World Voice Day

Friday, April 28 | 6-9 p.m. | Potter's Craft Cider | 1350 Arrowhead Valley Road | This annual event hosted by the UVA Voice Center provides singers who have gone through vocal rehabilitation with the UVA Voice Team an opportunity to return to the stage after vocal injury. This year’s featured performer is Virginia's own Toni Clare. The World Voice Day concert is brought to you by James Daniero, MD, UVA Voice Center Director; Joanna Lott, Speech-Language Pathologist; and the UVA Voice Team. The event is sponsored by the Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery and the UVA Communication Sciences and Disorders Program. Free and open to the public.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 10:19 p.m. April 10)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:15 a.m. April 10)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)
COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources

Appreciation

Huge Shoutout to HIT Teams Logging Long Hours to Keep UVA Health Running

While many team members across UVA Health are patient-facing or otherwise highly visible in their everyday tasks, there is one team that thrives mostly out of view, without fanfare. The Health Information and Technology (HIT) team ensures the technology you use every day works seamlessly. When you access the internet, Epic, MyChart, Webex, Microsoft 365, and other programs, you probably don't think about what it takes to make them just work. That's what the HIT team does best — makes things work, so you don't have to think about them.

“They do a lot of behind-the-scenes work no one ever sees that is critical to keeping things running smoothly,” describes Mike Navetta, Administrator, HIT Applications. “A lot of our work is keeping the lights on and regulatory work. The inventory systems, for example, you may use every day and take for granted, but there is someone who is working long hours to make sure those are working correctly. HIT is here to help patients and providers and make their lives easier.”

Please join us in thanking our HIT colleagues for their commitment and dedication. Read more about HIT’s major accomplishments on Connect.

Friday, April 7, 2023

COVID-19 Policy and Procedural Updates

Following updated guidance from UVA Health’s Infection Prevention and Control team, policy changes on masking, COVID-19 testing, PPE, and visitation were recently announced with a projected effective date of April 18, 2023, at 7 a.m.

For specific information on these policy changes, please see the details in the UVA Health Leadership email sent on Friday, April 7, and stay tuned for additional communications as we approach the effective date. Any policies not detailed in that message remain unchanged.

Please note: guidance may be subject to change based on seasonal circumstances, activity of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses in our community, as well as concerns for transmission of COVID-19 within UVA Health facilities.

Read more about these updates on Connect.

Operations

Community COVID Testing and Vaccination Events Are Discontinuing Services

After more than three years of providing free testing and vaccination services to the communities surrounding the Church of the Incarnation, Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, and within the UVA Health Pharmacy, these services are being discontinued. Much appreciation goes out to UVA Health leadership for supporting these efforts, and to the Community COVID leadership team — thank you for the direction, organization, and management of these events. Additionally, UVA Health owes a huge thank you to the many staff members and volunteers who came together to make these services possible!

Monthly Epic Update: Changes Go Live Tuesday, April 11

This month’s Epic updates will impact ambulatory and inpatient LIPs, nurses, and therapy services. Details about the latest changes can be found in the Epic Update Bundle. Questions? Contact the Help Desk at 434.924.5334.

Human Resources

Benefits Wednesday: Meet With a Counselor to Discuss Benefits

Wednesday, April 12 | Medical Center Dining Conference Room 3 | 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Human Resources team will have a benefits counselor on site at the Medical Center every month in 2023 to discuss your benefits and provide an opportunity for you to ask questions. No appointments necessary; walk-ins welcome.

Happenings

April | Earth Day Every Day

Each year, UVA Sustainability partners with organizations on Grounds and across the Charlottesville-area community to host Earth Day Every Day, a month-long celebration of our shared environment. Earth Day Every Day includes dozens of events and activities, including volunteer litter clean-up days, workshops, art-making, tours, career fairs, and much more. See all events.

RN-to-BSN Information Sessions

UVA School of Nursing's RN-to-BSN program is the region's very best, and offers all the personal, professional, and financial benefits a BSN brings. Classes are once a month, with the balance of learning done online. Learn more. Upcoming sessions:

• Monday, April 10 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Zoom
• Wednesday, May 10 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom

Active Attacker Prevention and Response Training

Tuesday, April 11 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Newcomb Hall South Meeting Room | In this 60-minute training, the Department of Safety & Security will discuss what the University Threat Assessment Team, Office of Emergency Management, and Police Department are doing to prevent — and if needed, respond to and notify — the UVA community of an active attacker event. Participants will learn about Emergency Notifications, how to report concerning behavior, and easy-to-remember options for people who are faced with a violent situation. This training is free and open to all students, employees, faculty, and staff of the Academic and UVA Health divisions. For more information, contact Rachel Slotter, Office of Emergency Management, at ras5zm@virginia.edu. Register.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers can get a new or updated headshot taken for the provider directory on the dates listed below. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Wednesday, April 12 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Tuesday, April 18 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Friday, April 28 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Tuesday, May 2 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Wednesday, May 10 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Thursday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 24 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Monday, May 29 | 9 a.m.-noon

Taking a Break: Understanding the Different Types of Faculty Leaves

Thursday, April 13 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Please join Faculty Guide Bethany Teachman for a discussion about the different types of leave available to UVA faculty. Come with questions. Zoom link to be provided following registration. Learn more. Register. Questions? Contact Donna Broshek at dkb6v@virginia.edu.

Call for Nominations | Kendig Research Award

Deadline: Friday, April 14 | The Kendig Research Award is given annually to a fellow in the School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics who has demonstrated excellence in clinical or basic science research over the course of their fellowship. For more information, email RpedsResearch@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Learn more.

UVA Health Maternal Critical Care Conference

Friday, April 14, and Saturday, April 15 | Virtual and in person | The Draftsman Hotel |The main sessions will present an overview of maternal morbidity and mortality, common and unique obstetric emergencies, and how to build bridges between labor and delivery and the critical care units. Designed for physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, ICU nurses, labor and delivery nurses, pharmacists, and all other healthcare providers with an interest in maternal critical care. CME credits available. Details and registration.

Reboot Your Health and Well-Being

Wednesday, April 19 | 3-4:15 p.m. | Zoom | This six-week group is designed to help you reach your well-being goals in a supportive environment where you will get individual coaching, a larger group class, and a supportive small group. Participants of previous sessions experienced a significant reduction in fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Learn more.

Child Health Research Center | Dr. Seham Ebrahim Seminar

Friday, April 21 | noon-1 p.m. | Battle Building, Quayle Conference Center and Zoom | Seham Ebrahim, PhD, Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, will discuss “Cytoskeletal control of self-renewing epithelia in vivo — a framework for interrogating mucosal physiopathology.” Light lunch provided. (Meeting ID: 932 8248 1186 Passcode: 419509) For more information, please contact the Child Health Research Center at 434.243.0867 or email Carol Brown at cb6f@virginia.edu.

2023 Protecting Health in a Changing Climate: Healthcare Sustainability

Saturday, April 22 | 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. | Fontaine Research Park, 560 Ray C. Hunt Dr. and Zoom | The health sector’s global climate footprint is massive — if it were a country, it would be the fifth-largest emitter on the planet, and the U.S. healthcare sector is the worst offender. This conference is designed to equip people who are interested in healthcare sustainability with resources and strategies for reducing healthcare-sector contributions to climate change. Details and registration.

Eleventh Annual Research Trainee Competition

Friday, May 12 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Battle Building, Quayle Center | Features presentations by residents, medical fellows, medical students, graduate students, and undergraduates. Trainees of any member of the Department of Pediatrics or the Child Health Research Center are encouraged to participate. Details. Scroll to the bottom of the web page for abstract guidelines.

UVA Edge Is Now Accepting Applications

Deadline: Monday, May 15 | UVA Edge is an online program that helps working adults develop career skills and take a step toward a degree. It’s designed for adult learners with little-to-no college experience who also may be juggling work and other responsibilities. Apply by May 15 to be considered for the Fall semester starting in August. Sign up for a free informational webinar. Questions? Email edge@virginia.edu.

Call for Abstracts | 35th Annual Research Symposium

Thursday, May 25 | Battle Building, Quayle Center | UVA Children’s Child Health Research Center invites you to a full day of presentations, awards, and a featured speaker. Participants will display poster presentations summarizing their work, followed by the opportunity for a lively discussion with faculty and colleagues. Abstracts due Friday, April 14. Details. Scroll to the bottom of the web page for abstract guidelines.

FEAP | Eldercare and Financial Counseling

If you are caring for an elder and have concerns you believe an expert could help you with, The Faculty and Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) can connect you with support to address these issues and professional advice to address financial concerns such as budgeting, credit review and improvement. Learn more.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 12:05 p.m. April 7)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. April 7)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)
COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources

Appreciation

“Professionalism at its Best” | Kudos for Our UVA Health Colleagues

To provide the best possible service and care for our community, UVA Health regularly surveys our patients on their recent healthcare experience. Every week, the health system receives feedback from these patient experience surveys. Below is a small selection of recent comments praising our outstanding team members:

• “The nurse was amazing and really helped calm my kiddo down — this was her first-ever ER visit.”
• “... one of the best pre- and post-surgical experiences that I have ever had! Each team — from the office to the recovery discharge — was fabulous. Teaching excellent, comfort exceptional and, most of all, I felt heard. My needs were met as though they knew me before I even arrived. I cannot say enough about each and every one I came in contact with during my surgery experience. Thank you!”
• “Exemplary staff and services. That's a huge compliment coming from me. I've been in the medical profession my entire adult life — worked at many hospitals in the area. I just love Heathcote, Haymarket hospital. You guys are organized, friendly, helpful, efficient, engaging, considerate … good stuff!”
• “The staff is always wonderful at UVA, but this was our first visit to the infusion center and they truly made a scary trip for my 7-year-old as great as possible!”
• “Professionalism at its best. Laughter and smiling was a definite indication that staff enjoys their job, which is very uplifting for patient care. This type of professionalism reflects passion for what they do and that it is not just a job. Awesome.”
• “Dr. Lawson, his residents, and medical students were superb! Understanding, concerned, helpful, knowledgeable, excellent listeners, very responsive to questions and concerns. Katie, a day nurse on 3 East, was an exceptional nurse. Also kind, concerned, responsive, skilled and, above all, she spent a lot of her time making me laugh in the face of my anxiety. All staff were friendly, kind, polite, helpful, and good at their jobs — from housekeepers to endoscopy staff. I will recommend UVA to all.”

Thanks to all of our team members for providing outstanding, compassionate, and safe care.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Spin the Wheel for Hand Hygiene

Thursday, April 6, and Friday, April 7 | With the theme, “Get Into the Habit,” a new Medical Center campaign looks to bolster hand hygiene practices with new patient and team member signage.

Members of the Infection Prevention and Control team also will be raising awareness about best practices for hand hygiene with a “Spin the Wheel” game that will visit units throughout the Medical Center on April 6 and 7. Prizes include coffee cards, Amazon and Target gift cards, and UVA Health swag, so don’t miss the wheel!

Read more on Connect.

Operations

Respiratory Fit Testing

Sessions offered weekly Tuesday-Friday | 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Beginning Monday, May 1, Employee Health will discontinue its use of VaxTrax as a means of scheduling respiratory fit tests. For all respiratory fit tests scheduled after this date, please contact Employee Health directly rather than using VaxTrax. Make sure you have been medically cleared to test before trying to schedule an appointment, since this information will be verified by the Employee Health Access team before scheduling is allowed. Employee Health can be reached at 434.924.2013. Fit testing sessions will take approximately 30 minutes. Reminder: All employees who are required to be fitted for N95 respirators must be refitted annually during their birth month. This is an Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement and is also an ongoing compliance requirement of policy OCH-002. You will receive communication from Employee Health when you are due to be retested. Learn more.

Bivalent COVID Vaccinations

Wednesdays | 7:45-11:30 a.m. | Employee Health continues to offer Pfizer bivalent COVID vaccines and can be scheduled in VaxTrax through the end of April. Beginning Monday, May 1, appointments must be requested directly by contacting Employee Health at 434.924.2013. Appointments are 15 minutes and you will be asked to remain in the clinic for observation following the injection.

Correction | Weapons Policy Update: All Knives Now Prohibited

The current UVA Health weapons policy states that patients and visitors are prohibited from bringing knives larger than four inches into any UVA Health facility. Effective April 10, this policy will prohibit all knives, regardless of size. [CORRECTION: Note new date.] This means patients and visitors cannot bring knives smaller than four inches into any UVA Health facility (including pocket knives, utility knives, and multi-tool devices that include blades). If you see a patient or visitor in possession of a prohibited weapon, please inform them of our policy and ask them to take the item back to their vehicle or drop it in the amnesty box located in the South Tower/Emergency Department lobby and another box that will be added soon to the main hospital lobby. If you are not comfortable approaching the individual, contact security at 434.924.5048 (staffed 24/7) and a security representative will be happy to assist. If at any point you feel threatened or unsafe, call 911. Read more on Connect.

Leadership

Medical Center CEO Blog | Expanding Our Excellence: UVA Children’s Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Clinic Announced

In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, discusses how the new UVA Children’s Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Care clinic would not have been possible without our incredible team members at UVA Children’s! Read more.

Town Hall Replay | Check Out the Speed-Watcher’s Guide

If you missed the town hall (or want to re-watch), here's your chance to catch up. Visit Connect to find time-code stamps for agenda topics and the embedded video for your convenience. The meeting included opening remarks from K. Craig Kent, MD, CEO, UVA Health; a patient letter; a National Doctors’ Day panel moderated by Tracey Hoke, MD, Chief of Quality and Process Improvement; a One Team | United on Access panel moderated by Jason Lineen, MBA, Chief Strategy Officer; team member-submitted questions related to masking, COVID-19, the strategic plan, safety, and engagement-survey results; and the UVA Health mission-moment video. Watch the video on Connect.

Human Resources

Submit Nominations | Uteam Member of the Month

Deadline: 15th of every month | This program recognizes team members each month for their outstanding service to UVA Health and commitment to our ASPIRE values. Any team member, patient, or visitor may nominate an eligible team member — including individuals from UVA Medical Center, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and UVA Physicians Group. Nominate a colleague.

Happenings

Sale | Collective Goods

Thursday, April 6 | 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | Link just outside of Primary Care Center | Sponsored by, and proceeds benefit, the UVA Hospital Auxiliary.

Good Friday Worship Service

Friday, April 7 | Protestant Service: 1:30-2 p.m. | Dining Conference Rooms 1-3 | Chaplaincy Services & Pastoral Education will be holding a religious Good Friday service and all who are interested are invited to attend. To request a visit from the priest or a chaplain, contact the pastoral care office at 434.924.2642.

Submit Now: Team Member Art Exhibit

Deadline: Friday, April 7 | The UVA Health Arts Committee’s annual Team Member Art Exhibit will run from May 4 to July 5. Interested team artists should email three or four .jpg images to Anne Brown at ABB4B@uvahealth.org for consideration by the committee. Paintings, watercolors, photography, and fine art prints (e.g., silk screen) will be considered. The committee cannot accept sculptures or fiber art. Images cannot contain nudity, violence, religious imagery, or racism. No oversized pieces.

Active Attacker Prevention and Response Training

Tuesday, April 11 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Newcomb Hall South Meeting Room | In this 60-minute training, the Department of Safety & Security will discuss what the University Threat Assessment Team, Office of Emergency Management, and Police Department are doing to prevent — and if needed, respond to and notify — the UVA community of an active attacker event. Participants will learn about Emergency Notifications, how to report concerning behavior, and easy-to-remember options for people who are faced with a violent situation. This training is free and open to all students, employees, faculty, and staff of the Academic and UVA Health divisions. For more information, contact Rachel Slotter, Office of Emergency Management, at ras5zm@virginia.edu. Register.

Nominate Now | Hoos Building Bridges Award

Deadline: Friday, April 14 | The Hoos Building Bridges Award recognizes team members who demonstrate leadership and build thoughtful collaborations and relationships across schools, units, and/or departments that advance our work as an institution. Those eligible for consideration include: currently employed, salaried, and non-probationary University staff; classified staff; UPG staff; UVA Health team members; and contingent workers (UVA Foundation, Aramark, Morrisons). Faculty are ineligible for this award. Questions? Email AskHR@virginia.edu. Learn more.

Call for Abstracts | 1st Annual UVA Health Interdisciplinary Quality Improvement/Patient Safety Showcase

Deadline: Friday, April 14 | 11:59 p.m. | Download details from Connect | A UVA Health patient-safety event to recognize local improvements in quality and patient safety from all disciplines. Participants will be selected to present a poster or give an oral presentation of their work. Questions? Contact Co-Chairs Jess Dreicer, MD, Department of Medicine, at jd3nd@uvahealth.org, or Elisa Hampton, MD, Department of Pediatrics, at ep2v@uvahealth.org. Showcase will be on Monday, June 5, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. More details to come.

Work-Life Harmony: Composing a Life That Works With a Life That Counts for Women in Academic Medicine

Monday, April 17 | 4-5 p.m. | Pinn Hall Auditorium and Zoom | The Department of Pediatrics invites you to the second annual Nancy McDaniel Lectureship on Women in Leadership. Featured speaker is Dorothy “Dorrie” Fontaine, Dean Emerita and Professor at the University of Virginia, School of Nursing. Reception to follow. (Zoom access: meeting ID: 917 6795 9254 / passcode: 944100) Details.

Own Your Journey to Your Best Personal and Professional Self

Tuesday, April 18 | noon-1 p.m. | Join special guest speaker Edward Hess, Professor Emeritus of Business Administration at UVA's Darden School of Business and author of 14 books, as he shares wisdom on high organizational and human performance. Register.

BSF-ERG Awards Luncheon

Tuesday, April 25 | noon-2 p.m. | Pinn Hall, 2ABC | RSVP | The Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group (BFS-ERG) serves as a voice for Black faculty and staff at the University of Virginia in matters relative to the intellectual, professional, and emotional betterment within the UVA community and beyond. Join this luncheon in recognizing the outstanding work of our colleagues at the University, specifically related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Free Mindfulness for UVA Healthcare Employees Class

Monday, May 1, to Monday June 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, June 10 | Zoom | Register.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 10:04 a.m. April 5)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. April 5)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)
COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources

Appreciation

UVA Hospital Auxiliary Brightens Patients’ Days With Daisies

In January, a call went out for glass bottle donations for Daisy Days, which (before COVID) was an annual event during which bouquets of flowers were delivered to all inpatients who were permitted to have them. This year, in planning to restart Daisy Days, the Hospital Auxiliary wanted to use recycled bottles/vases instead of buying new ones. With your kind donations, and help from the UVA Recycling team (who tirelessly worked to find bottles), the event was a huge success!

Volunteers peeled labels, scrubbed off the sticky residue, and cleaned about 750 bottles to use as daisy vases. Karen Weinberg led a crew of floral arranging volunteers in creating more than 700 bouquets of daisies. All inpatients — about 500 — who were able to have flowers received a bouquet on Tuesday, March 21. The remaining 200 bouquets were sold, with proceeds going to the Auxiliary — whose mission is to serve the hospital, its patients, and their families. (Pictured: Volunteer Shirlee Randall)

LaDelle Gay, Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteer Services, says, “This renewed annual event from the UVA Hospital Auxiliary was a team effort with many helping hands to fill the hospital with cheer. My heart is full of gratitude to all!”

Monday, April 3, 2023

Dr. J. Scott Just Is Appointed as New CEO of UPG

J. Scott Just, MD, MBA, FACEP, has been appointed chief executive officer of University of Virginia Physicians Group, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization chartered to UVA to provide clinical and administrative services in support of UVA Medical Center and UVA School of Medicine. (Pictured: K. Craig Kent, MD, CEO, UVA Health; J. Scott Just, MD; Melina Kibbe, MD, Dean, School of Medicine; Wendy Horton, PharmD, CEO, UVA Medical Center.)

An experienced physician and healthcare leader, Just has served as president of Augusta Medical Group and vice president of Augusta Health since 2018. His key responsibilities there have included managing clinics and recruiting physicians and other providers as well as improving access to care. Just has continued caring for patients while in these leadership roles and has 23 years of experience serving patients in Central Virginia as an emergency medicine physician. His first day at UVA Physicians Group will be May 30. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Dr. Just! Read more.

Ambulatory

Clinical Workflow Improvements and More in the March Ambulatory Progress Report

In case you missed it, the March Ambulatory Operations Progress Report is packed with updates, including news about key improvements to clinical workflows in the One Team | United on Access project, revised guidance on medical assistant insertion of urinary catheters from the Ambulatory Role Delineation project, perspective on performance metrics, plus recognition of 50 team members as Champions of Change. Read the full report on the Ambulatory intranet site.

Operations

Spin the Wheel for Hand Hygiene

Wednesday, April 5, to Friday, April 7 | With the theme, “Get Into the Habit,” a new Medical Center campaign looks to bolster hand hygiene practices with new patient and team member signage. Members of the Infection Prevention and Control team also will be raising awareness about best practices for hand hygiene with a “Spin the Wheel” game that will visit units throughout the Medical Center. Prizes include coffee cards, Amazon and Target gift cards, and UVA Health swag, so don’t miss the wheel! Read more on Connect.

Weapons Policy Update: All Knives Now Prohibited [Note New Date Correction]

The current UVA Health weapons policy states that patients and visitors are prohibited from bringing knives larger than four inches into any UVA Health facility. Effective April 10, 2023, this policy will prohibit all knives, regardless of size. [CORRECTION: Note new date.] This means patients and visitors cannot bring knives smaller than four inches into any UVA Health facility (including pocket knives, utility knives, and multi-tool devices that include blades). If you see a patient or visitor in possession of a prohibited weapon, please inform them of our policy and ask them to take the item back to their vehicle or drop it in the amnesty box located in the South Tower/Emergency Department lobby and another box that will be added soon to the main hospital lobby. If you are not comfortable approaching the individual, contact security at 434.924.5048 (staffed 24/7) and a security representative will be happy to assist. If at any point you feel threatened or unsafe, call 911. Read more on Connect.

Leadership

Town Hall Replay | Check Out the Speed-Watcher’s Guide

If you missed the town hall (or want to re-watch), here's your chance to catch up.  Visit Connect to find time-code stamps for agenda topics and the embedded video for your convenience. The meeting included opening remarks from K. Craig Kent, MD, CEO, UVA Health; a patient letter; a National Doctors’ Day panel moderated by Tracey Hoke, MD, Chief of Quality and Process Improvement; a One Team | United on Access panel moderated by Jason Lineen, MBA, Chief Strategy Officer; team member-submitted questions related to masking, COVID-19, the strategic plan, safety, and engagement-survey results; and the UVA Health mission-moment video. Watch the video on Connect.

Human Resources

Coming Soon: Self-Evaluations

FY23 UVA Health self-evaluations will launch Monday, April 10. Self-evaluations and FY24 goals are due to managers Sunday, May 7. All Medical Center team members are required to complete their self-evaluation.

FY24 goal requirements: Document up to three goals you will be accountable for next year and how you will accomplish them. Include the following: One professional development goal and one goal aligned with our institutional strategic goal, “Cultivating Healthy Communities and Belonging for All.”

• Medical Center team member goals must measure how well we work together to care for our patients. Metric: Patient experience survey.
• Medical Center leader goals must measure improvement in retention numbers. Metric: Local turnover rate.

Sign up for a goal-setting training in Workday Learning by searching "UVAH Performance." Resources and additional details about the FY23 performance process, including the timeline for classified staff, can be found on the UVAH Performance website.

Happenings

April | Earth Day Every Day

Each year, UVA Sustainability partners with organizations on Grounds and across the Charlottesville-area community to host Earth Day Every Day, a month-long celebration of our shared environment. Earth Day Every Day includes dozens of events and activities, including volunteer litter clean-up days, workshops, art-making, tours, career fairs, and much more. See all events.

Sale | Collective Goods

Link just outside of Primary Care Center | Sponsored by, and proceeds benefit, the UVA Hospital Auxiliary. Times:

• Tuesday, April 4 | 9 a.m.-5 .p.m.
• Wednesday, April 5 | 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Thursday, April 6 | 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Clinical Concerns for Novel Recreational Drug Use

This ECHO series will provide a better understanding of emerging clinical and epidemiological trends in the misuse of substances. Featuring toxicology experts from UVA and the Blue Ridge Poison Center, topics will include emerging substances such as synthetic cannabinoids, designer opioids, and benzodiazepines; the increase in nitrous oxide abuse; emerging trends in over-the-counter substances of misuse; and the limitations and utility of routine urine drug screens. While live attendance is strongly encouraged, sessions also will be recorded and shared with those who register. CME credits available. Register.

• Nitrous Oxide | Tuesday, April 4 | 4-5 p.m.
• Opioids and Benzodiazepines | Tuesday, May 2 | 4-5 p.m.
• Over-the-Counter Substance Abuse | Tuesday, June 6 | 4-5 p.m.

Good Friday Worship Service

Friday, April 7 | Protestant Service: 1:30-2 p.m. | Dining Conference Rooms 1-3 | Chaplaincy Services & Pastoral Education will be holding a religious Good Friday service and all who are interested are invited to attend. To request a visit from the priest or a chaplain, contact the pastoral care office at 434.924.2642.

RN-to-BSN Information Sessions

UVA School of Nursing's RN-to-BSN program is the region's very best, and offers all the personal, professional, and financial benefits a BSN brings. Classes are once a month, with the balance of learning done online. Learn more. Upcoming sessions:

• Monday, April 10 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Zoom
• Wednesday, May 10 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom

Active Attacker Prevention and Response Training

Tuesday, April 11 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Newcomb Hall South Meeting Room | In this 60-minute training, the Department of Safety & Security will discuss what the University Threat Assessment Team, Office of Emergency Management, and Police Department are doing to prevent — and if needed, respond to and notify — the UVA community of an active attacker event. Participants will learn about Emergency Notifications, how to report concerning behavior, and easy-to-remember options for people who are faced with a violent situation. This training is free and open to all students, employees, faculty, and staff of the Academic and UVA Health divisions. For more information, contact Rachel Slotter, Office of Emergency Management, at ras5zm@virginia.edu. Register.

Taking a Break: Understanding the Different Types of Faculty Leaves

Thursday, April 13 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Please join Faculty Guide Bethany Teachman for a discussion about the different types of leaves available to UVA faculty. This informal presentation and discussion is designed to allow faculty to raise questions so they can get the information they need to figure out their leave options. Zoom link to be provided following registration. Learn more. Register. Questions? Contact Donna Broshek at dkb6v@virginia.edu.

2023 Protecting Health in a Changing Climate: Healthcare Sustainability

Saturday, April 22 | 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. | Fontaine Research Park, 560 Ray C. Hunt Dr. and Zoom | The health sector’s global climate footprint is massive — if it were a country, it would be the fifth-largest emitter on the planet, and the U.S. healthcare sector is the worst offender. This conference is designed to equip people who are interested in healthcare sustainability with resources and strategies for reducing healthcare-sector contributions to climate change. Details and registration.

Free Concert | World Voice Day

Friday, April 28 | 6-9 p.m. | Potter's Craft Cider | 1350 Arrowhead Valley Road | This annual event hosted by the UVA Voice Center provides singers who have gone through vocal rehabilitation with the UVA Voice Team an opportunity to return to the stage after vocal injury. This year’s featured performer is Virginia's own Toni Clare. The World Voice Day concert is brought to you by James Daniero, MD, UVA Voice Center Director; Joanna Lott, Speech-Language Pathologist, and the UVA Voice Team; and is sponsored by the Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery and the UVA Communication Sciences and Disorders Program. Free and open to the public.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 10:19 a.m. April 3)

Workforce Impact

The Workforce Impact dashboard is experiencing technical difficulties. New data will be provided when it becomes available.

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)
COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources

Appreciation

A Round of Applause for Cancer Registrars

Cancer registrars mark National Cancer Registrars Week (April 3-7) to promote how the cancer data they collect provides essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs.

Marvinette Palmer, CTR, Cancer Registry Supervisor, says, ”My Cancer Registry team works quietly behind the scenes with a goal of accurately capturing cancer data for each patient. They put on their imaginary capes like real-life superheroes each work day to collect data that is used to improve cancer outcomes. For that reason, I often like to refer to them as Cancer RegiSTARS!”

This week, UVA Health cancer registrars will be virtually gathering and engaging in team-building activities to celebrate and recognize National Cancer Registrars Week. Please join us in a round of applause for our cancer registrar colleagues and the outstanding work they do!

Archive | UVA Health Update

• Oct. 2022
• Nov. 2022
• Dec. 2022
• Jan. 2023
• Feb. 2023
• March 2023