Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Awards

Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium and Zoom | This award will be presented to UVA Health team members who embody Dr. Martin Luther King's values and teachings in cultural competence, healthcare disparities, or fostering an environment of inclusiveness, in accordance with the institution's mission and values. Guest speaker is 2013 MLK Jr. UVA Health Award winner Dr. Pamela Ross. Register.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 11:49 a.m. Feb. 27)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Feb. 27)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data)

Operations

Construction Impact | McKim Elevator

Begins Monday, March 6 | A project to modernize the two McKim Hall elevators will start on March 6 and last for approximately ten weeks. The work will begin with Elevator #1 (running from ground to the third floor) and will take five weeks. During this time, occupants can use Elevator #2 to access all floors. The work to modernize Elevator #2 will follow directly after this. Revised schedules and impacts will be sent out once dates are confirmed.

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.

• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | noon-3 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 8 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 14 | noon-3 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 22 | 8-11 a.m.
• Thursday, March 30 | 9 a.m.-noon

RN-to-BSN Information Sessions

Curious about Virginia's part-time, hybrid pathway to a BSN specially designed for working RNs? Join recruiters for an upcoming Zoom information session to learn how empowering, relevant, and affordable UVA's top-ranked program is.

• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | Details.
• Wednesday, March 1 | 2-3 p.m. | Zoom | Details.

When Can I Donate Blood in March?

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. All who give blood from March 1-31 will receive a $10 Visa prepaid card by email. Plus, they'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa prepaid card. There will be five lucky winners. Restrictions apply. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu or visiting redcrossblood.org. Read more on Connect. Dates and times:

• Wednesday, March 1 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Monday, March 20 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Monday, March 27 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Panel: I Am ALS

Thursday, March 2 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | In association with I Am ALS and The Hummingbird Fund, the public is invited to attend a virtual event featuring panelists with personal experience related to ALS, including Jim Plews-Ogan, MD, Associate Professor Emeritus in Pediatrics at UVA; Juliet Taylor, who lost her husband to ALS; Gia Polo, who recently lost her father to ALS; Mandi Bailey, who lost her stepfather to ALS; Tim Lowrey, a retired pharmacist living with ALS. Register.

Deadline Extended | Nominate an RN for a Nursing Excellence Award

New deadline: Thursday, March 2, at 11:59 p.m. | The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors several nurses each year for demonstrating excellence in their roles. Award recipients are selected based on peer-reviewed nominations received by the NPGO Awards and Recognition Committee. Please consider nominating one or more of your well-deserving RN colleagues for these honors. Learn more. Questions? Email npgo@uvahealth.org.

Due This Week: Call for Award Nominations: Beta Kappa

Deadline: Friday, March 3 | The Sigma chapter of Beta Kappa — UVA’s nursing honor society — seeks nominees for its annual awards:

• The Distinguished Nurse Award
• The Nan Hilt Excellence in Practice Award
• The Sarah P. Farrell Award (for development of technology that removes barriers)
• The Beta Kappa Chapter Research Dissemination Award
• Beta Kappa Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Presidents Scholarship

Save the Date: Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Tuesday, March 7 | 7-9 a.m. | Newcomb Hall, second floor | Come for a sit-down meal or grab breakfast and/or a cup of coffee to go. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, oatmeal, and fruit will be served along with vegan and gluten-free options. Catered by the Fresh Food Company. Senior leaders will be on site to thank you for your service, and the HR Benefits team will be there to answer questions. No RSVP required. Free parking available at Central Grounds Parking Garage and a shuttle will be available for UVA Health team members from Lane Road (near the hospital loading dock) at 7, 7:30, 8, and 8:30 a.m.

Clinical Concerns for Novel Recreational Drug Use

This four-part ECHO series will provide a better understanding of emerging clinical and epidemiological trends in substances of misuse. 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.

• Cannabinoids | Tuesday, March 7 | 4-5 p.m.
• 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.

Help Needed: Volunteer Services Wants Your Empty Glass Bottles

Deadline: Wednesday, March 15 | Volunteer Services needs to collect 400 empty glass bottles or jars for the upcoming Daisy Days, when they give a bouquet of flowers to every inpatient at UVA Health. Any glass jar (about 5 to 7.5 inches tall with a mouth opening of 1.25 to 1.5 inches) will work well. Call Volunteer Services at 434.924.5251 for pick-up or drop-off.

Save the Date: 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. Early-bird registration through Saturday, March 11. Details and registration.

BSF-ERG Awards Luncheon and Call for Nominations

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.

• Nominate today! | Deadline: Monday, March 6 | The BFS-ERG is seeking nominations for the Armstead Robinson Faculty Recognition Award and the Lincoln Vernon Lewis Staff Recognition Award. Nominations can be submitted to Ashley Woodard at adw5x@uvahealth.org.

Appreciation

Hundreds of Teddy Bears Donated to UVA Children’s

More than 700 donated teddy bears were recently delivered for patients at UVA Children’s thanks to a partnership between Dairy Queen of Harrisonburg and James Madison University Athletics. Fans were able to donate teddy bears at the two Dairy Queens in Harrisonburg ahead of the Jan. 28 JMU men’s basketball game or toss their teddy bears onto the court at halftime.

Dairy Queen of Harrisonburg is a longtime supporter of UVA Children’s through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, having raised more than $91,000 since 2019 to support patients and families.

Thank you to all who donated these precious toys — and to all who care for our small patients in UVA Children’s!

Previous Updates

Friday, Feb. 24, 2023

Help Needed: Volunteer Services Wants Your Empty Glass Bottles

Deadline: Wednesday, March 15 | Volunteer Services needs to collect 400 empty glass bottles or jars for the upcoming Daisy Days, when they give a bouquet of flowers to every inpatient at UVA Health. Any glass jar (about 5 to 7.5 inches tall with a mouth opening of 1.25 to 1.5 inches) will work well.

Call Volunteer Services at 434.924.5251 for pick-up or drop-off.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 12:04 p.m. Feb. 24)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Feb. 24)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data)

Update | Public Health Emergency to End in May: How This Impacts Telemedicine

Per the Biden Administration — the national public health emergency (PHE) declarations addressing COVID-19 will expire May 11, 2023. Some select Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire on May 11, while the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 extended others through Dec. 31, 2024.

What will change for clinical practice — video and audio-only visits:

• Providers will no longer be able to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances for initial visits via telehealth visits only (must meet in-person examination requirements as of the PHE expiration date) unless:
  • The patient is at a Drug Enforcement Agency-registered (DEA) facility or in the presence of a DEA-registered provider.
    • Note: UVA Health is currently awaiting a congressionally mandated special registration process that would ease the above restrictions.
• New Development: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will not require telehealth providers to enroll their home address for Medicare enrollment until the end of calendar year 2023 or potentially later.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will reinstate enforcement action surrounding HIPAA — therefore all video, audio-only, and texting platforms must be conducted via a HIPAA-compliant platform.

Stay tuned for detailed information in the weeks ahead. Questions? Contact Telemedicine@virginia.edu.

Operations

Emergency Management: Active Attacker Functional Exercise

Monday, March 20 | Transitional Care Hospital | 2965 Ivy Rd. | Emergency Management is inviting team members to sign up for an active-attacker exercise. The goal of this event is to validate emergency plans and procedures, provide team members with an opportunity to practice their training, and respond to a simulated active attacker situation in a clinical space (which will include integrating law-enforcement’s response). Choose from five one-hour sessions. Limited to 20 participants per session. Questions? Contact Nat Sellers at NS3ZX@uvahealth.org. Sign up.

Leadership

Strategic Plan Virtual Coffee Talk With Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer

Monday, Feb. 27 | 7-8 a.m. | Grab your coffee and learn more about UVA Health’s first enterprisewide strategic plan, One Future Together | Hope and Health for All, by joining a virtual coffee talk session with Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer. During the times below, Jason will share plan details and discuss how we will work together to implement the plan to achieve our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond. Don’t miss this great opportunity to join in the conversation about UVA Health’s bright future. All UVA Health team members are invited to attend. Space is limited. Please email Peggy Pasternak at PSP3P@uvahealth.org to RSVP.

Happenings

Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Awards

Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium and Zoom | This award will be presented to UVA Health team members who embody Dr. Martin Luther King's values and teachings in cultural competence, healthcare disparities, or fostering an environment of inclusiveness, in accordance with the institution's mission and values. Guest speaker is 2013 MLK Jr. UVA Health Award winner Dr. Pamela Ross. Register.

RN-to-BSN Information Sessions

Curious about Virginia's part-time, hybrid pathway to a BSN specially designed for working RNs? Join recruiters for an upcoming Zoom information session to learn how empowering, relevant, and affordable UVA's top-ranked program is.

• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | Details.
• Wednesday, March 1 | 2-3 p.m. | Zoom | Details.

When Can I Donate Blood in March?

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. All who give blood from March 1-31 will receive a $10 Visa prepaid card by email. Plus, they'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa prepaid card. There will be five lucky winners. Restrictions apply. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu or visiting redcrossblood.org. Read more on Connect. Dates and times:

• Wednesday, March 1 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Monday, March 20 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Monday, March 27 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Panel: I Am ALS

Thursday, March 2 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | In association with I Am ALS and The Hummingbird Fund, the public is invited to attend a virtual event featuring panelists with personal experience related to ALS, including Jim Plews-Ogan, MD, Associate Professor Emeritus in Pediatrics at UVA; Juliet Taylor, who lost her husband to ALS; Gia Polo, who recently lost her father to ALS; Mandi Bailey, who lost her stepfather to ALS; Tim Lowrey, a retired pharmacist living with ALS. Register.

Deadline Extended | Nominate an RN for a Nursing Excellence Award

New deadline: Thursday, March 2, at 11:59 p.m. | The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors several nurses each year for demonstrating excellence in their roles. Award recipients are selected based on peer-reviewed nominations received by the NPGO Awards and Recognition Committee. Please consider nominating one or more of your well-deserving RN colleagues for these honors. Learn more. Questions? Email npgo@uvahealth.org.

Mindfulness Renewal

Mondays, March 6-27 I 4-6 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, March 11 | Register.

Quit Nicotine/Smoking Blue Ridge Program

Wednesdays, March 22-April 2 | Zoom | Free support for those who want to quit tobacco. Learn about and experience strategies for quitting such as medication, acupuncture, stress reduction, nutrition, and more. Contact Scott Mein at scottrmein@gmail.com to receive a link to participate.

Voices in Clinical and Translational Science Series | Children and Neuromotor Diagnoses: Using Science to Maximize Development

Tuesday, March 28 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Speaker: Stephanie DeLuca, PhD, Associate Professor, Co-Director, Neuromotor Research Clinic, Virginia Tech. This quarterly seminar series serves as a platform to lift underrepresented voices in research across the iTHRIV partnership with a focus on promoting dialogue and encouraging team science. Presenters will share their science and also their lived experience as an underrepresented person in research. Details.

BSF-ERG Awards Luncheon and Call for Nominations

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.

• Nominate today! | Deadline: Monday, March 6 | The BFS-ERG is seeking nominations for the Armstead Robinson Faculty Recognition Award and the Lincoln Vernon Lewis Staff Recognition Award. Nominations can be submitted to Ashley Woodard at adw5x@uvahealth.org.

Appreciation

“I Love Everyone in PT” | Kudos for Our Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Services Colleagues

In order 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 are just a few of our favorite comments recently made about team members in outpatient rehabilitation therapy services.

• “Casey Mohler is a very accomplished physical therapist. In only a few short weeks, I have recovered in remarkable fashion thanks to Casey's dedicated and professional treatment.”
• “Beyond any expectations I had!”
• “Stephanie Roane is a superb professional.”
• “Schedulers and front-desk employees are excellent — friendly, professional, and efficient!”
• “Ian is so great to work with! Listens and encourages. Easy to talk to.”
• “I love everyone in PT — registration to therapist.”
• “Dr. Dacus and his staff are busy, but they didn't rush my appointment. They answered all my concerns. Dr. Dacus is great, as always. He treats you like family!”
• “It was refreshing to leave a conversation with a provider, not only feeling like I have a better understanding of the root(s) of my daughter’s struggles, but also how to support her through them. I really appreciate Polly.”

Thanks to all of our outpatient rehabilitation therapy service team members for providing outstanding, compassionate, and safe care!

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023

Update | Public Health Emergency to End in May: How This Impacts Telemedicine

Per the Biden Administration — the national public health emergency (PHE) declarations addressing COVID-19 will expire May 11, 2023. Some select Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire on May 11, while the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 extended others through Dec. 31, 2024.

What will change for clinical practice — video and audio-only visits:

• Providers will no longer be able to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances for initial visits via telehealth visits only (must meet in-person examination requirements as of the PHE expiration date) unless:
  • The patient is at a Drug Enforcement Agency-registered (DEA) facility or in the presence of a DEA-registered provider.
    • Note: UVA Health is currently awaiting a congressionally mandated special registration process that would ease the above restrictions.
  • Providers who provide services from their home will need to report their home address on their Medicare enrollment.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will reinstate enforcement action surrounding HIPAA — therefore all video, audio-only, and texting platforms must be conducted via a HIPAA-compliant platform. This includes:
  • Provider to patient video visit, audio-only visit, and texting
  • Clinic staff to patient audio-only and texting
  • Provider to provider video, audio-only and texting

*No UVA business associate agreement in place, therefore not HIPAA compliant for UVA use.
**For intra-UVA only, not available for texting to patients.

Stay tuned for detailed information in the weeks ahead. Questions? Contact Telemedicine@virginia.edu.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 12:04 p.m. Feb. 22)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Feb. 22)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data)

Operations

Construction Alert | Fontaine Research Park

Through Friday, March 3 | Well-drilling will occur at Fontaine Research Park. There will be minimal disruptions, however parking in the immediate area will be impacted.

Emergency Management: Active Attacker Functional Exercise

Monday, March 20 | Transitional Care Hospital | 2965 Ivy Rd. | Emergency Management is inviting team members to sign up for an active-attacker exercise. The goal of this event is to validate emergency plans and procedures, provide team members with an opportunity to practice their training, and respond to a simulated active attacker situation in a clinical space (which will include integrating law-enforcement’s response). Choose from five one-hour sessions. Limited to 20 participants per session. Questions? Contact Nat Sellers at NS3ZX@uvahealth.org. Sign up.

Afton Express Expands Hours to Accommodate UVA Health Team Members

The Afton Express has updated its service times to better meet the needs of health system team members. Providing rides to and from Staunton, Fishersville, and Waynesboro, the service now accommodates 12-hour shift schedules. The exact pick-up and drop-off times and locations can be viewed on the Afton Express website. Discounted fare cards are available for purchase from UVA Parking and Transportation. If you have any questions, please email transportation@virginia.edu.

Leadership

Medical Center CEO Blog | Strengthening Our Foundation: Bolstering Our Workforce

In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, shares some new and enhanced initiatives to support you and your team members to do what you do best: deliver amazing care to our patients. Read more.

Strategic Plan Virtual Coffee Talk With Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer

Grab your coffee and learn more about UVA Health’s first enterprisewide strategic plan, One Future Together | Hope and Health for All, by joining a virtual coffee talk session with Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer. During the times below, Jason will share plan details and discuss how we will work together to implement the plan to achieve our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond. Don’t miss this great opportunity to join in the conversation about UVA Health’s bright future. All UVA Health team members are invited to attend. Space is limited. Please email Peggy Pasternak at PSP3P@uvahealth.org to RSVP.

• Friday, Feb. 24 | noon-1 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 27 | 7-8 a.m.

Breakfast With the CEO

McKim Hall, Room 3001 | Join Dr. Craig Kent’s upcoming breakfast and conversation events. These small-group breakfasts are a great opportunity for team members to share their experiences and offer ideas to help shape the future of our organization. Sign up.

Happenings

Nominate an RN for a Nursing Excellence Award

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 23 | The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors several nurses each year for demonstrating excellence in their roles. Award recipients are selected based on peer-reviewed nominations received by the NPGO Awards and Recognition Committee. Please consider nominating one or more of your well-deserving RN colleagues for these honors. Learn more. Questions? Email npgo@uvahealth.org.

2023 Virginia Patient Safety Summit

Thursday, Feb. 23 | 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | The 2023 Virginia Patient Safety Summit is an opportunity for the Virginia hospital and healthcare community to have a conversation about “Moving Forward Together” to continue to provide safe, high-quality patient care, and foster joy in work among the healthcare workforce. Drs. Tejal Gandhi, MD, Chief Safety and Transformation Officer at Press Ganey, and Peter J. Pronovost, MD, PhD, FCCM, Chief Quality & Clinical Transformation Officer, University Hospitals, Cleveland, will deliver the keynote speeches. Registration is free for all Virginia hospital staff, providers, and students. Replays of the summit will also be made available. Details and registration information are available at www.vhha.com (select “Programs and Events”).

FEAP: Circle of Light

Begins Thursday, Feb. 23 | 4th Thursday of each month | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Join an emotional wellness space where individuals can process their experience with racial trauma through the exploration of shared stories and lived experiences. The Faculty and Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) will help participants understand how racial trauma can affect mental and emotional well-being and how to incorporate ways to interrupt the trauma response by drawing upon culturally grounded healing strategies. Register.

Pain and Advance Care Planning for African Americans Living With Dementia and Their Caregivers

Thursday, Feb. 23 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual | Presentation by alumna Karen Moss, PhD, RN, CNL, Ohio State School of Nursing professor. Details.

Heart Failure Symposium: Trends, Issues, and Emerging Therapies

Saturday, Feb. 25 | 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center and Zoom |Highlighting current trends, issues, and newly emerging therapies for the care of individuals diagnosed with heart failure. The team of professionals providing care to individuals with heart failure will extend their knowledge to improve care delivery and outcomes for this population in specialized settings as well as across the continuum of care. Details.

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, Feb. 28 | noon-3 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 8 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 14 | noon-3 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 22 | 8-11 a.m.
• Thursday, March 30 | 9 a.m.-noon

Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Awards

Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium and Zoom |This award will be presented to UVA Health team members who embody Dr. Martin Luther King's values and teachings in cultural competence, healthcare disparities, or fostering an environment of inclusiveness, in accordance with the institution's mission and values. Guest speaker is 2013 MLK Jr. UVA Health Award winner Dr. Pamela Ross. Register.

Call for Award Nominations: Beta Kappa

Deadline: Friday, March 3 | The Sigma chapter of Beta Kappa — UVA’s nursing honor society — seeks nominees for its annual awards:

• The Distinguished Nurse Award
• The Nan Hilt Excellence in Practice Award
• The Sarah P. Farrell Award (for development of technology that removes barriers)
• The Beta Kappa Chapter Research Dissemination Award
• Beta Kappa Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Presidents Scholarship

Save the Date: Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Tuesday, March 7 | 7-9 a.m. | Newcomb Hall, second floor | Come for a sit-down meal or grab breakfast and/or a cup of coffee to go. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, oatmeal, and fruit will be served along with vegan and gluten-free options. Catered by the Fresh Food Company. Senior leaders will be on site to thank you for your service, and the HR Benefits team will be there to answer questions. No RSVP required. Free parking available at Central Grounds Parking Garage and a shuttle will be available for UVA Health team members from Lane Road (near the hospital loading dock) at 7, 7:30, 8, and 8:30 a.m.

Clinical Concerns for Novel Recreational Drug Use

This four-part ECHO series will provide a better understanding of emerging clinical and epidemiological trends in substances of misuse. 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.

• Cannabinoids | Tuesday, March 7 | 4-5 p.m.
• 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.

Coming Soon: Nominate a Colleague for the Hoos Building Bridges Award

Opens Wednesday, March 22 | Nominations will soon open for this year’s Hoos Building Bridges Award,  which 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. Currently employed, salaried, and non-probationary University, Classified, UPG staff, UVA Health team members, and contingent workers (UVA Foundation, Aramark, Morrisons) are eligible for consideration. Faculty are ineligible for this award. Questions? Email AskHR@virginia.edu.

Appreciation

Place This on Your To-Do List: Thank a GME Trainee

At UVA Health, we are grateful every day for the 833 residents and fellows who help care for our patients, teach our students, and carry out important research. Each year at this time, coinciding with the Gold Humanism Thank-a-Resident-Day on Feb. 24, we want to show them a little more love. Residents and fellows will take part in cooking and spin classes, be treated to a cookie and coffee break, and receive our gratitude with a meal and some awesome graduate medical education (GME) UVA Health swag.

Did you know that most residents and fellows have had at least eight years of post-secondary education before they even enter residency training? That most residents complete a primary residency of three to five years before going on to a subspecialty fellowship, which can last another two or three years? That they join one of more than 120 accomplished training programs when they move to UVA each June and July? That, in addition to physician training programs, we also train residents in dentistry, chaplaincy, pharmacy, clinical psychology, and a handful of paramedical programs? Despite their long and often grueling hours, our residents and fellows bring their joy and competency to each patient interaction.
 
Please join us this week and next (Feb. 20-March 2) in saying “thank you” to the residents and fellows who work in your areas.

Monday, Feb. 20, 2023

Modern Healthcare Names Wendy Horton to ‘Top 25 Women Leaders’ List

Leading national healthcare publication Modern Healthcare has named Wendy Horton, PharmD, MBA, the chief executive officer of University of Virginia Medical Center, to the magazine’s 2023 list of Top 25 Women Leaders in Healthcare. The annual list honors “female executives who are guiding healthcare delivery improvement across the country,” according to Modern Healthcare.

Horton joined UVA Medical Center in April 2020 as chief operating officer, becoming chief executive officer in November 2020. She “created a strategic roadmap and transformational plan to optimize the medical center’s operations shortly after being tapped to lead in 2020,” Modern Healthcare said, which led to a $60 million increase in yearly net operating revenue. She has also devoted significant effort to employee compensation and retention, the publication noted. This has included $70 million for increased compensation and launching the “Earn While You Learn” program to provide local residents with paid, on-the-job training to begin and build a healthcare career.

Read more on Connect.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 1:04 p.m. Feb. 20)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Feb. 20)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data)

Operations

University Policy Directory Updates

Did you know there are dozens of University policies that also apply to the Medical Center? These policies are found in the academic division’s UVA Policy Directory and include, but are not limited to, policies that address finance and business operations, safety and security, information management, research, and human resources management. A new section, University Policies Applying to the Medical Center, was recently added to the Directory to make it easier for you to browse and search these policies. A link to this section of the UVA Policy Directory is now available on Knowledgelink and in PolicyTech.

Construction Alert | Pharmacy Carousel Replacement | Crispell Drive

Through Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | To aid in delivery of critical infrastructure materials for the Pharmacy Medication Carousel Replacements project, Crispell Drive will be partially blocked during material-delivery times. Flaggers will be in place to direct traffic. Please expect short-term delays. Questions? Contact Patrick Wright at PNW3J@uvahealth.org.

Happenings

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

Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 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. The ROSE Supply Closet is available monthly for dropping off office supplies or taking what you need. The inventory includes a variety of supplies, like envelopes, staplers, and desk lamps. Read more on Connect.

Medical Center Hour | Achieving Social Accountability in Healthcare Through Graduate Medical Education

Wednesday, Feb. 22 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium and Zoom | Alison Huffstetler, MD, FAAFP, Medical Director of the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Primary Care, Assistant Professor Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, joins moderator Evan Heald, MD, Brodie Medical Education Committee Director, Associate Professor of Medicine, UVA, to discuss how socially accountable healthcare will transform the way people and communities receive and perceive health. Lunch provided to the first 40 in-person attendees. Learn more.

RN-to-BSN Information Sessions

Curious about Virginia's part-time, hybrid pathway to a BSN specially designed for working RNs? Join recruiters for an upcoming Zoom information session to learn how empowering, relevant, and affordable UVA's top-ranked program is.

• Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 2-3 p.m. | Zoom | Details.
• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | Details.
• Wednesday, March 1 | 2-3 p.m. | Zoom | Details.

FEAP: Circle of Light

Begins Thursday, Feb. 23 | 4th Thursday of each month | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Join an emotional wellness space where individuals can process their experience with racial trauma through the exploration of shared stories and lived experiences. The Faculty and Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) will help participants understand how racial trauma can affect mental and emotional well-being and how to incorporate ways to interrupt the trauma response by drawing upon culturally-grounded healing strategies. Register.

Time Is Running Out to Nominate an RN for a Nursing Excellence Award

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 23 | The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors several nurses each year for demonstrating excellence in their roles. Award recipients are selected based on peer-reviewed nominations received by the NPGO Awards and Recognition Committee. Please consider nominating one or more of your well-deserving RN colleagues for these honors. Learn more. Questions? Email npgo@uvahealth.org.

2023 Virginia Patient Safety Summit

Thursday, Feb. 23 | 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | The 2023 Virginia Patient Safety Summit is an opportunity for the Virginia hospital and healthcare community to have a conversation about “Moving Forward Together” to continue to provide safe, high-quality patient care, and foster joy in work among the healthcare workforce. Drs. Tejal Gandhi, MD, Chief Safety and Transformation Officer at Press Ganey, and Peter J. Pronovost, MD, PhD, FCCM, Chief Quality & Clinical Transformation Officer, University Hospitals, Cleveland, will deliver the keynote speeches. Registration is free for all Virginia hospital staff, providers, and students. Replays of the summit will also be made available. Details and registration information are available at www.vhha.com (select “Programs and Events”).

Pain and Advance Care Planning for African Americans Living With Dementia and Their Caregivers

Thursday, Feb. 23 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual | Presentation by alumna Karen Moss, PhD, RN, CNL, Ohio State School of Nursing professor. Details.

Heart Failure Symposium: Trends, Issues, and Emerging Therapies

Saturday, Feb. 25 | 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center and Zoom |Highlighting current trends, issues, and newly emerging therapies for the care of individuals diagnosed with heart failure. The team of professionals providing care to individuals with heart failure will extend their knowledge to improve care delivery and outcomes for this population in specialized settings as well as across the continuum of care. Details.

Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Awards

Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium and Zoom | This award will be presented to UVA Health team members who embody Dr. Martin Luther King's values and teachings in cultural competence, healthcare disparities, or fostering an environment of inclusiveness, in accordance with the institution's mission and values. Guest speaker is 2013 MLK Jr. UVA Health Award winner Dr. Pamela Ross. Register.

Save the Date: Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Tuesday, March 7 | 7-9 a.m. | Newcomb Hall, second floor | Come for a sit-down meal or grab breakfast and/or a cup of coffee to go. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, oatmeal, and fruit will be served along with vegan and gluten-free options. Catered by the Fresh Food Company. Senior leaders will be on site to thank you for your service, and the HR Benefits team will be there to answer questions. No RSVP required. Free parking available at Central Grounds Parking Garage and a shuttle will be available for UVA Health team members from Lane Road (near the hospital loading dock) at 7, 7:30, 8, and 8:30 a.m.

Save the Date: 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. Early-bird registration through Saturday, March 11. Details and registration.

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 interactive eLearning courses and webinars (live and recorded) 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. Security keyword: HRC.)

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. (Don’t forget to use our facility ID!) Doing so will 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.

Appreciation

Grateful UVA Children’s NICU Family Hosts Cookie-Decorating Event

The family of a former UVA Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patient hosted a Valentine’s Day cookie-decorating event for current NICU families as a way of giving thanks for their daughter’s care. Faith Chaudhuri, now 6 years old, was born about three months premature and spent 71 days at the UVA Children’s NICU before being released. She was at the Feb. 10 event along with her parents, Derek and Alexandria.

Thank you to the Chaudhuri's for hosting such a wonderful event — and thank you to our NICU team members for providing such outstanding care to Faith, her parents, and to all of our NICU families! See photos of the event on Connect.

Friday, Feb. 17, 2023

UVA Health ASPIRE Day: Showing Our Values Some Love

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, team members were invited to have a conversation about our new mission statement and ASPIRE values. UVA Health leadership hosted tables in the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, West Complex, University Hospital, Orthopedic Center Ivy Road, and Battle Building where they handed out Valentine’s Day conversation hearts candies and ASPIRE values cards. Team members spoke directly to our leaders about our mission, vision, and values, how together we can make UVA Health the best place to work, and anything else that was on their mind.

During the day, more than 7,000 “Let’s Have a Conversation” boxes of candy hearts and wallet-size mission, vision, values cards were distributed; 51 boxes were packaged and delivered to ambulatory clinics; 36 leaders engaged with team members at multiple locations; four mission, vision, values boards became papered with team member reflections; and hundreds of conversations were had with team members!

The day was such a success, this is going to become an annual event. Valentine's Day has been declared "UVA Health ASPIRE Day," a day when we will "show our values some love" and renew our engagement with them.

Read more and see photos from the event on Connect.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 1:04 p.m. Feb. 17)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Feb. 17)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data)

Operations

Medical Center PolicyTech Update: Duo No Longer Required to Log In

Based on direct employee feedback about our systems, PolicyTech will no longer require Duo authentication to log on. By removing this step, we hope to give our Medical Center team members more direct access to the documents necessary to guide clinical care. We appreciate those team members who escalated their concerns for patient safety and also thank our IT security colleagues for hearing those concerns and working to identify alternative security measures for protecting our UVA Health credentials. We will continue to listen to your feedback to understand how we can do better.

New Functionality Allows Patients to Connect MyChart Accounts

Effective Tuesday, Feb. 14, MyChart users have the ability to connect MyChart accounts from other healthcare organizations together in one place using a new functionality called Happy Together. When accounts are connected, patient medications, allergies, test results, messages, and appointments from those organizations will show up in their MyChart. Happy Together allows patients to better manage their health with a more comprehensive view of their records and can increase MyChart user satisfaction by streamlining accounts. Users have been sent instructions for linking their accounts via MyChart message. A banner with a link to instructions is displayed when they log into the portal.

Construction Alert | Pharmacy Carousel Replacement | Crispell Drive

Monday, Feb. 20, to Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | To aid in delivery of critical infrastructure materials for the Pharmacy Medication Carousel Replacements project, Crispell Drive will be partially blocked during material-delivery times. Flaggers will be in place to direct traffic. Please expect short-term delays. Questions? Contact Patrick Wright at PNW3J@uvahealth.org.

Happenings

Free Tickets | UVA Women’s Basketball vs. Duke

Sunday, Feb. 19 | 2 p.m. | John Paul Jones Arena | UVA Health has an allotment of 100 tickets for each home women’s basketball game this regular season. UVA Health team members can show their ID badge at the will-call office on the day of the game to receive up to four complimentary tickets to that day’s game. First come, first served. There’s only one game left in the regular season to take advantage of this offering, so join us on Feb. 19 for UVA vs. Duke. See schedule.

Be a Hero, Donate Blood

Monday, Feb. 20 | 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. When donors give in February, they'll have a chance to win a trip for two to Clearwater Beach, FL. Plus, the Red Cross will send you a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Restrictions apply. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu or visiting redcrossblood.org. Read more on Connect.

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

Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 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. The ROSE Supply Closet is available monthly for dropping off office supplies or taking what you need. The inventory includes a variety of supplies, like envelopes, staplers, and desk lamps. Read more on Connect.

Services: Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, Feb. 22 | There will be two services held in the Medical Center chapel on Ash Wednesday. For those unable to attend, a Catholic priest from St. Thomas Aquinas Church and members of the UVA Health Chaplaincy staff will be available to distribute ashes after the services. To request a visit from the priest or a chaplain contact the pastoral care offices at 434.924.2642. Service times:

• Roman Catholic | noon-12:30 p.m.
• Protestant | 1-1:30 p.m.

Medical Center Hour | Achieving Social Accountability in Healthcare Through Graduate Medical Education

Wednesday, Feb. 22 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium and Zoom | Alison Huffstetler, MD, FAAFP, Medical Director of the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Primary Care, Assistant Professor Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, joins moderator Evan Heald, MD, Brodie Medical Education Committee Director, Associate Professor of Medicine, UVA, to discuss how socially accountable healthcare will transform the way people and communities receive and perceive health. Lunch provided to the first 40 in-person attendees. Learn more.

FEAP: Circle of Light

Begins Thursday, Feb. 23 | 4th Thursday of each month | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Join an emotional wellness space where individuals can process their experience with racial trauma through the exploration of shared stories and lived experiences. The Faculty and Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) will help participants understand how racial trauma can affect mental and emotional well-being and how to incorporate ways to interrupt the trauma response by drawing upon culturally-grounded healing strategies. Register.

Nominate an RN for a Nursing Excellence Award

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 23 | The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors several nurses each year for demonstrating excellence in their roles. Award recipients are selected based on peer-reviewed nominations received by the NPGO Awards and Recognition Committee. Please consider nominating one or more of your well-deserving RN colleagues for these honors. Learn more. Questions? Email npgo@uvahealth.org.

2023 Virginia Patient Safety Summit

Thursday, Feb. 23 | 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | The 2023 Virginia Patient Safety Summit is an opportunity for the Virginia hospital and healthcare community to have a conversation about “Moving Forward Together” to continue to provide safe, high-quality patient care, and foster joy in work among the healthcare workforce. Drs. Tejal Gandhi, MD, Chief Safety and Transformation Officer at Press Ganey, and Peter J. Pronovost, MD, PhD, FCCM, Chief Quality & Clinical Transformation Officer, University Hospitals, Cleveland, will deliver the keynote speeches. Registration is free for all Virginia hospital staff, providers, and students. Replays of the summit will also be made available. Details and registration information is available at www.vhha.com (select “Programs and Events”).

Heart Failure Symposium: Trends, Issues, and Emerging Therapies

Saturday, Feb. 25 | 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center and Zoom |Highlighting current trends, issues, and newly emerging therapies for the care of individuals diagnosed with heart failure. The team of professionals providing care to individuals with heart failure will extend their knowledge to improve care delivery and outcomes for this population in specialized settings as well as across the continuum of care. Details.

Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Awards

Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium and Zoom | This award will be presented to UVA Health team members who embody Dr. Martin Luther King's values and teachings in cultural competence, healthcare disparities, or fostering an environment of inclusiveness, in accordance with the institution's mission and values. Guest speaker is 2013 MLK Jr. UVA Health Award winner Dr. Pamela Ross. Register.

Save the Date: Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Tuesday, March 7 | 7-9 a.m. | Newcomb Hall, second floor | Come for a sit-down meal or grab breakfast and/or a cup of coffee to go. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, oatmeal, and fruit will be served along with vegan and gluten-free options. Catered by the Fresh Food Company. Senior leaders will be on site to thank you for your service, and the HR Benefits team will be there to answer questions. No RSVP required. Free parking available at Central Grounds Parking Garage and a shuttle will be available for UVA Health team members from Lane Road (near the hospital loading dock) at 7, 7:30, 8, and 8:30 a.m.

Quit Nicotine/Smoking Blue Ridge Program

Wednesdays, March 22-April 2 | Zoom | Free support for those who want to quit tobacco. Learn about and experience strategies for quitting such as medication, acupuncture, stress reduction, nutrition, and more. Contact Scott Mein at scottrmein@gmail.com to receive a link to participate.

Appreciation

‘The Most Pleasant and Caring People I Have Ever Met’ | Kudos for Our Outpatient Clinic Colleagues

In order 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 are just a few of our favorite comments recently made about our outpatient clinics.

• “Dr. Harvey and his staff are very good. I love going to him because I get the answer I need. The staff are very considerate and helpful and makes my appointment pleasurable. Thank you all so much.”
• “Dr. Neeral Shah is a great doctor. He is a wonderful listener, he really cares, and I always feel positive about the care he is providing [for my condition] after I have seen him. His staff is great, too.”
• “I traveled 4 1/2 hours to see Dr. Zachary Henry, and I'm very pleased with him, his office staff, and UVA as a whole.”
• “Christopher (PA) and Dr. Copeland both thanked me for coming there and were eager to know all my symptoms. They both made sure to take their time with me and didn't rush me through my appointment at all. They made the visit a positive experience.”
• “Northridge peds schedulers are awesome!”
• “Dr. De Leon is the most wonderful pediatrician! I am moving to Richmond and am so sad to have to find a new pediatrician. She is so warm, knowledgeable, and supportive. Truly great at her job!”
• “Got in right after arrival. The care, positive attitudes, and job knowledge of both lab teams was excellent!”
• “Dr. Morsy is wonderful. I have been fortunate to have excellent cardiologists: Beller, Rembold, Salerno, and now Dr. Morsy. He really connects with his patients. He took time to listen and ‘inspired’ me rather than ‘guilted’ me into being healthier. He is kind and caring. I'm grateful to have him as my cardiologist.”
• “Top experts, the most pleasant and caring people I have ever met!”

Thanks to all of our outpatient clinic team members for providing outstanding, compassionate, and safe care!

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

Be a Hero, Donate Blood

Monday, Feb. 20 | 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. When donors give in February, they'll have a chance to win a trip for two to Clearwater Beach, FL. Plus, the Red Cross will send you a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Restrictions apply. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu or visiting redcrossblood.org. Read more on Connect.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 12:34 p.m. Feb. 15)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Feb. 15)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data)

Public Health Emergency to End in May: How This Impacts Telemedicine

Per the Biden Administration — the national public health emergency (PHE) declarations addressing COVID-19 will expire May 11, 2023. Some select Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire on May 11, while the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 extended others through Dec. 31, 2024.

What will change for clinical practice — video and audio-only visits:

• Providers will no longer be able to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances for initial visits via telehealth visits only (must meet in-person examination requirements as of the PHE expiration date) unless:
• The patient is at a Drug Enforcement Agency-registered (DEA) facility or in the presence of a DEA-registered provider.
  • Note: UVA Health is currently awaiting a congressionally mandated special registration process that would ease the above restrictions.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will reinstate enforcement action surrounding HIPAA — therefore all video and telephone visits must be conducted via a HIPAA-compliant platform. (Providers can no longer use non-HIPAA-compliant applications, such as FaceTime.)
• Providers who provide services from their home, will need to report their home address on their Medicare enrollment.

What will NOT change:
The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities through Dec. 2024. Virginia General Assembly codified most waivers implemented during PHE. This means:

• Required to be in Virginia, but no restrictions on originating site — flexibilities extended to geographic and originating sites (i.e., home, office, car)
• Expanded eligible practitioners (including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, and audiologists)
• Audio-only allowed — extending coverage and payment for audio-only telehealth (private insurance coverage varies by plan)
• Eliminate or delay the in-person telemental health requirement
• Medicaid and commercial plan parity payment — for both in-person and video visits (Medicare at least through Dec. 2023)

Stay tuned for detailed information in the weeks ahead. Questions? Contact Telemedicine@virginia.edu.

Operations

Update | Afton Express Expands Hours to Accommodate UVA Health Team Members

The Afton Express has updated its service times to better meet the needs of health system team members. Providing rides to and from Staunton, Fishersville, and Waynesboro, the service now accommodates 12-hour shift schedules. The exact pick-up and drop-off times and locations can be viewed on the Afton Express website. Discounted fare cards are available for purchase from UVA Parking and Transportation. If you have any questions, please email transportation@virginia.edu.

Construction Alert | Traffic Impact on Jefferson Park Avenue

Feb. 16-18 | A tower crane will be erected to support the McIntire School of Commerce Cobb and Shumway Hall construction project. There will be limited impacts to traffic on Jefferson Park Avenue during this time. Flaggers will be on site to assist with the flow of traffic. Details below. Questions? Contact Patrick Wright at PNW3J@uvahealth.org.

• Thursday, Feb. 16 | 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 17 | 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 18 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Leadership

Medical Center CEO Blog: Let’s Have a Conversation

In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, discusses the one-year mark of our refreshed mission, vision and values, and shares how she wants to hear what our ASPIRE values mean to you. Read more.

Strategic Plan Virtual Coffee Talk With Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer

Grab your coffee and learn more about UVA Health’s first enterprisewide strategic plan, One Future Together | Hope and Health for All, by joining a virtual coffee talk session with Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer. During the times below, Jason will share plan details and discuss how we will work together to implement the plan to achieve our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond. Don’t miss this great opportunity to join in the conversation about UVA Health’s bright future. All UVA Health team members are invited to attend. Space is limited. Please email Peggy Pasternak at PSP3P@uvahealth.org to RSVP.

• Friday, Feb. 24 | noon-1 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 27 | 7-8 a.m.

Breakfast With the CEO

McKim Hall, Room 3001 | Join Dr. Craig Kent’s upcoming breakfast and conversation events. These small-group breakfasts are a great opportunity for team members to share their experiences and offer ideas to help shape the future of our organization. Sign up.

Happenings

Celebrate Black History Month

As UVA Health acknowledges, brings awareness, and celebrates the 2023 Black History Month theme, “Black Resistance: Restoration and Resilience,” we are dedicated to standing with our Black patients, visitors, team members, and students in recognizing the importance of resisting health inequities and striving to improve community health by addressing social determinants of health.

UVA Health is celebrating Black History Month with a series of events. Details, times, locations, and more events can be found here.

• Through Thursday, Feb. 23 | Common Book Read: Rest Is Resistance
• Thursday, Feb. 16 | Rest is Resistance: Black Women Respond to the Manifesto
• Friday, Feb. 17 | Black Resilience Training: The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness
• Friday, Feb. 17 | Free Concert: Black History Month Gospel Concert
• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Awards | Register to attend virtually.

More events.

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.

• Thursday, Feb. 16 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Monday, Feb. 20 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | noon-3 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 8 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 14 | noon-3 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 22 | 8-11 a.m.
• Thursday, March 30 | 9 a.m.-noon

Providers: Please make sure your online profile is accurate, up to date, and complete — including a provider profile video. Details and scheduling.

Clinical Updates From the Experts: Workplace Violence Against Healthcare Workers and Reporting

Thursday, Feb. 16 | 4-5 p.m. | Virtual | A live presentation by Ha Do Byon, PhD, MS, MPH, RN, Assistant Professor of Nursing. Details.

Free Tickets | UVA Women’s Basketball vs. Duke

Sunday, Feb. 19 | 2 p.m. | John Paul Jones Arena | UVA Health has an allotment of 100 tickets for each home women’s basketball game this regular season. UVA Health team members can show their ID badge at the will-call office on the day of the game to receive up to four complimentary tickets to that day’s game. First come, first served. There’s only one game left in the regular season to take advantage of this offering, so join us on Feb. 19 for UVA vs. Duke. See schedule.

RN-to-BSN Information Sessions

Curious about Virginia's part-time, hybrid pathway to a BSN specially designed for working RNs? Join recruiters for an upcoming Zoom information session to learn how empowering, relevant, and affordable UVA's top-ranked program is.

• Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 2-3 p.m. | Zoom | Details.
• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | Details.
• Wednesday, March 1 | 2-3 p.m. | Zoom | Details.

Call for Award Nominations: Beta Kappa

Deadline: Friday, March 3 | The Sigma chapter of Beta Kappa — UVA’s nursing honor society — seeks nominees for its annual awards:

• The Distinguished Nurse Award
• The Nan Hilt Excellence in Practice Award
• The Sarah P. Farrell Award (for development of technology that removes barriers)
• The Beta Kappa Chapter Research Dissemination Award
• Beta Kappa Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Presidents Scholarship

Mindfulness Renewal

Mondays, March 6-27 I 4-6 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, March 11 | Register.

Conference: Protecting Health in a Changing Climate

Saturday, April 22 | 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. | Fontaine Research Park | The UVA School of Nursing is hosting this conference focused on healthcare sustainability. Team members with research relevant to healthcare sustainability should consider submitting an abstract by Saturday, March 25. Accepted abstract submissions will receive a reduced registration rate. Questions? Please contact Linda Hanson at llh3x@virginia.edu. Register.

Appreciation

Congratulations to the Outstanding Contributor Award Honorees

In 2010, the Outstanding Contributor Award was named for Leonard W. Sandridge, the former UVA executive vice president and chief operating officer who gave more than four decades of service to the University. This award recognizes outstanding University staff or team members who demonstrate dedication to service through individual efforts, group contributions, and commitment to our larger community.

Eleven University of Virginia team members recently received this award. The five UVA Health team members who were honored with the 2022 UVA Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Award include Leigh Gauriloff, Tabatha Gilbert, Marissa McKay, Monte Parsons, and Teresa Radford.

Please join us in congratulating these team members on this well-deserved recognition — thank you for your amazing work! Read excerpts from what their nominators had to say about them on Connect or see the full list on UVA Today.

Monday, Feb. 13, 2023

You’re Invited to Valentine’s Day Conversation Events With Leaders

Tuesday, Feb. 14 | We invite you to have a conversation about what our new mission statement and ASPIRE values mean to you. UVA Health leadership will be hosting tables across the health system where they’ll be handing out Valentine’s Day conversation hearts candies and ASPIRE values cards. This is your chance to speak directly to our leaders about our mission, vision, and values, how together we can make UVA Health the best place to work, or any other ideas you may have — and also get a sweet treat. Stop by one of these locations to join the discussion, add your comments to the whiteboards (first three locations), and pick up a to-go ASPIRE card.

• Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center (main doors to the left) | 8-10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• West Complex (lobby) | 8-10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• University Hospital (two locations near the main cafeteria) | 8-10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and 6-8 p.m.
• Orthopedic Center Ivy Road (updated location: outside of café)| 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Battle Building (updated location: third floor)| 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Off-Grounds clinics | Will receive to-go kits to have their own conversations among teams around Valentine’s Day.

Can’t attend? You can still participate! | Please answer the following question: How do you live by our values every day? Post your answer on the interactive Kudoboard.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 1:04 p.m. Feb. 13)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Feb. 13)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data)

Operations

Relocated: Stem Cell Transplant Clinic

Monday, Feb. 13 | After completing refurbishment in the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, the Stem Cell Transplant Clinic has relocated to its new home on the second floor. The clinic’s new location began seeing patients today, Feb. 13. Questions? Contact Judy Kauffman at JCK4F@uvahealth.org.

New Functionality Allows Patients to Connect MyChart Accounts

Effective Tuesday, Feb. 14, MyChart users will have the ability to connect MyChart accounts from other healthcare organizations together in one place using a new functionality called Happy Together. When accounts are connected, patient medications, allergies, test results, messages, and appointments from those organizations will show up in their MyChart. Happy Together will allow patients to better manage their health with a more comprehensive view of their records and can increase MyChart user satisfaction by streamlining accounts. Users will be sent instructions for linking their accounts via MyChart message. A banner with a link to instructions will also display when they log into the portal.

Monthly Epic Update: Changes Go Live Tuesday, Feb. 14

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

Construction Alert | Traffic Impact on Jefferson Park Avenue

Feb. 16-18 | A tower crane will be erected to support the McIntire School of Commerce Cobb and Shumway Hall construction project. There will be limited impacts to traffic on Jefferson Park Avenue during this time. Flaggers will be on site to assist with the flow of traffic. Details below. Questions? Contact Patrick Wright at PNW3J@uvahealth.org.

• Thursday, Feb. 16 | 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 17 | 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 18 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Human Resources

Benefits Wednesday: Meet With a Counselor to Discuss Benefits

Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 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

Celebrate Black History Month

As UVA Health acknowledges, brings awareness, and celebrates the 2023 Black History Month theme, “Black Resistance: Restoration and Resilience,” we are dedicated to standing with our Black patients, visitors, team members, and students in recognizing the importance of resisting health inequities and striving to improve community health by addressing social determinants of health.

UVA Health is celebrating Black History Month with a series of events. Details, times, locations, and more events can be found here.

• Through Thursday, Feb. 23 | Common Book Read: Rest Is Resistance
• Wednesday, Feb. 15 | Lunch and Learn With Leslie Scott-Jones from the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
• Thursday, Feb. 16 | Rest is Resistance: Black Women Respond to the Manifesto
• Friday, Feb. 17 | Black Resilience Training: The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness
• Friday, Feb. 17 | Free Concert: Black History Month Gospel Concert
• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Awards | Register to attend virtually.

More events.

FEAP: Reboot Your Health and Well-Being

Begins Tuesday, Feb. 14 | The Reboot class is a six-week group designed to help you reach your well-being goals in a supportive environment with individual coaching, a larger group class, and a supportive small group. Participants of previous sessions experienced a significant reduction in fatigue, depression, and anxiety. To register, contact Beth Frackleton at edw2z@virginia.edu or 434.243.8199.

Graduate Nursing Student Organization Spring Blood Drive

Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Student Health and Wellness Center | 550 Brandon Ave. | Conference Hall 101B | Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter "UVANURSING" to schedule an appointment.

Spring Into Safety! Patient Safety Awareness Celebrations

This year, National Patient Safety Awareness Week (PSAW) is March 12-18. PSAW is an annual recognition event intended to highlight healthcare safety and quality. Upcoming activities highlighting patient safety and quality include:

• Wednesday, Feb. 15 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Medical Center Hour: Something in the Air? Hospital Infection Control Policies and the Crisis in Evidence-Based Medicine | In this 2023 Jessie Stewart Richardson Memorial Lecture in Patient Quality and Safety, Trish Greenhalgh, OBE, FMedSci, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, a prolific health-systems researcher with particular expertise in statistical methods and evidence-based medicine (EBM) discusses how these relate to quality improvement. Details.
• Thursday, Feb. 23 | 2023 Patient Safety Summit | Details and registration.
• Tuesday, March 14 | Vision and Voice | Medical Center CEO Wendy Horton will discuss patient safety in her blog, Vision and Voice.
• Wednesday, March 15 | WHYW and Be Safe | The We Hear You Wednesday (WHYW) brief will highlight recent examples of changes made as a result of Be Safe Events.
• Thursday, March 16 |
  • Charles L. Brown Award for Patient Care Quality Awardees | The winners of this award will be announced at the Medical Center Management Meeting.
  • Good Catch Awardees | Connect will shine a spotlight on recent Good Catch awardees.
• Friday, March 17 | Project Contest | Kick-off of the Interprofessional Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Project contest, organized by the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics.
• Monday, March 27 | Quality and Safety Grand Rounds | Featuring CNN anchor Jake Tapper and family. Sponsored by Quality and Performance Improvement (QPI).

Sigma Conference: Staffing Challenges and Practical Solutions

Wednesday, Feb. 15 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual | A lunch-and-learn conference moderated by professor Sharon Bragg and panelists Aleshia Schramm (charge nurse at Wheeling Hospital), Kris Blackstone (nurse manager at UVA Health), Ijeoma Enweana (senior clinical nurse educator for Conexus MedStaff), and Priscilla Rameseur (interim chief nurse executive at Duke-Raleigh Hospital). Register.

Free Tickets | UVA Women’s Basketball vs. Duke

Sunday, Feb. 19 | 2 p.m. | John Paul Jones Arena | UVA Health has an allotment of 100 tickets for each home women’s basketball game this season. UVA Health team members can show their ID badge at the will-call office on the day of the game to receive up to four complimentary tickets to that day’s game. First come, first served. Offer valid during regular season only, ending on Feb. 19. See schedule.

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

Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 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. The ROSE Supply Closet is available monthly for dropping off office supplies or taking what you need. The inventory includes a variety of supplies, like envelopes, staplers, and desk lamps. Read more on Connect.

Save the Date: 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. Early-bird registration through Saturday, March 11. Details and registration.

Appreciation

“No Job in Healthcare Is Without the Ability to Make a Difference”

The Medical Center recently had to replace the main sewer lines servicing University Hospital’s East Tower. This work was performed to avoid unplanned leaks that could potentially impact our ability to provide patient care across large sections of our units. To make these critical repairs, restrooms in impacted areas were inaccessible while work was being conducted.

The project was completed ahead of schedule thanks to a great UVA Health team. While many hands contributed to the success of this project — such as the Supply Chain Management team (who developed a novel delivery method which ensured that all units had a readily identifiable tranche of supplies) and the Security team (who assisted with locking/unlocking doors) — we’d like to give a special shout-out to our colleagues in Health System Physical Plant (HSPP), Environmental Services (EVS), Capital Construction and Renovation (CC&R), and Facilities Planning & Capital Development (FP & CD). These team members were reassigned or took on additional shifts to lock the impacted rooms starting at 11:30 p.m. and then stayed on site until 4:30 a.m. to unlock the doors. (This was in addition to their regular duties.) The sewer repair project was a success in part due to their hard work and diligence. Those team members are pictured above (left to right): Barry Reynolds (HSPP), Charlie Searcy (HSPP), Hla Kyi (EVS), Hunter Durrer (CC&R), Tyler Cameron (HSPP), and Matt Taylor (HSPP). Team members not pictured, but who also supported the locking and unlocking process, include Donna Franklin (EVS), Etta Carson (EVS), Joanne Watson (EVS), Goran Ivanic (HSPP), Mike Rose (HSPP), Juanita Tabilas (EVS), and Michael Payne (FP & CD).
 
“This team performed in an exemplary manner,” says Michael Payne, Manager, FP & CD. “From the start, they were upbeat and professional. I did not hear a single complaint about the extra work, the alternate hours, or the changed shifts. Quite to the contrary, I heard positivity and commitment. Each team member knew what was at stake and they executed their charged responsibilities quickly and quietly, with grace, and in a professional manner. I cannot be more proud of their performance, which I can only describe as exemplary. We cast a broad net seeking volunteers to help with this off-hour work and these individuals answered that call. They truly embraced our ASPIRE values and deserve recognition for going above and beyond.”

Payne says that “their actions and approach shaved weeks of inconvenience off of our patients, guests, and care team partners. Their teamwork, spirit of camaraderie, and service are a reminder that no job in healthcare is without the ability to make a difference.”

Thank you, thank you, thank you to these team members for their extraordinary efforts on this project. UVA Health and its patients are extremely grateful.

Friday, Feb. 10, 2023

New Functionality Allows Patients to Connect MyChart Accounts

Effective Tuesday, Feb. 14, MyChart users will have the ability to connect MyChart accounts from other healthcare organizations together in one place using a new functionality called Happy Together. When accounts are connected, patient medications, allergies, test results, messages, and appointments from those organizations will show up in their MyChart. Happy Together will allow patients to better manage their health with a more comprehensive view of their records and can increase MyChart user satisfaction by streamlining accounts. Users will be sent instructions for linking their accounts via MyChart message. A banner with a link to instructions will also display when they log into the portal.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 1:04 p.m. Feb. 10)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Feb. 10)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data)

Operations

Updated | Public Health Emergency to End in May: How This Impacts Telemedicine

Per the Biden Administration — the national public health emergency (PHE) declarations addressing COVID-19 will expire May 11, 2023. Some select Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire on May 11, while the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 extended others through Dec. 31, 2024.

What will change for clinical practice — video and audio-only visits:

• Providers will no longer be able to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances for initial visits via telehealth visits only (must meet in-person examination requirements as of the PHE expiration date) unless:
  • The patient is at a Drug Enforcement Agency-registered (DEA) facility or in the presence of a DEA-registered provider.
    • Note: UVA Health is currently awaiting a congressionally mandated special registration process that would ease the above restrictions.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will reinstate enforcement action surrounding HIPAA — therefore all video and telephone visits must be conducted via a HIPAA-compliant platform. (Providers can no longer use non-HIPAA-compliant applications, such as FaceTime.)
• Providers who provide services from their home, will need to report their home address on their Medicare enrollment.

What will NOT change:
The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities through Dec. 2024. Virginia General Assembly codified most waivers implemented during PHE. This means:

• No restrictions on patient location — flexibilities extended to geographic and originating sites (i.e., home, office, car)
• Expanded eligible practitioners (including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, and audiologists)
• Audio-only allowed — extending coverage and payment for audio-only telehealth
• Eliminate or delay the in-person telemental health requirement
• Medicaid and commercial plan parity payment — for both in-person and video visits (Medicare at least through Dec. 2023)

Stay tuned for detailed information in the weeks ahead. Questions? Contact Telemedicine@virginia.edu.

Operations

Relocating: Stem Cell Transplant Clinic

Monday, Feb. 13 | After completing refurbishment in the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, the Stem Cell Transplant Clinic will be relocating to its new home on the second floor. The clinic’s new location will begin seeing patients on Feb. 13. Questions? Contact Judy Kauffman at JCK4F@uvahealth.org.

Monthly Epic Update: Changes Go Live Tuesday, Feb. 14

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

Construction Alert | Traffic Impact on Jefferson Park Avenue

Feb. 16-18 | A tower crane will be erected to support the McIntire School of Commerce Cobb and Shumway Hall construction project. There will be limited impacts to traffic on Jefferson Park Avenue during this time. Flaggers will be on site to assist with the flow of traffic. Details below. Questions? Contact Patrick Wright at PNW3J@uvahealth.org.

• Thursday, Feb. 16 | 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 17 | 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 18 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Leadership

You’re Invited to Valentine’s Day Conversation Events With Leaders

Tuesday, Feb. 14 | We invite you to have a conversation about what our new mission statement and ASPIRE values mean to you. UVA Health leadership will be hosting tables across the health system where they’ll be handing out Valentine’s Day conversation hearts candies and ASPIRE values cards. This is your chance to speak directly to our leaders about our mission, vision, and values, how together we can make UVA Health the best place to work, or any other ideas you may have — and also get a sweet treat. Stop by one of these locations to join the discussion, add your comments to the whiteboards (first three locations), and pick up a to-go ASPIRE card.

• Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center (main doors to the left) | 8-10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• West Complex (lobby) | 8-10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• University Hospital (two locations near the main cafeteria) | 8-10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and 6-8 p.m.
• Orthopedic Center Ivy Road (lobby)| 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Battle Building (lobby)| 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Off-Grounds clinics | Will receive to-go kits to have their own conversations among teams on Valentine’s Day.

Can’t attend? You can still participate! | Please answer the following question: How do you live by our values every day? Post your answer on the interactive Kudoboard.

Human Resources

Benefits Wednesday: Meet With a Counselor to Discuss Benefits

Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 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

Celebrate Black History Month

As UVA Health acknowledges, brings awareness, and celebrates the 2023 Black History Month theme, “Black Resistance: Restoration and Resilience,” we are dedicated to standing with our Black patients, visitors, team members, and students in recognizing the importance of resisting health inequities and striving to improve community health by addressing social determinants of health.

UVA Health is celebrating Black History Month with a series of events. Details, times, locations, and more events can be found here.

• Through Thursday, Feb. 23 | Common Book Read: Rest Is Resistance
• Wednesday, Feb. 15 | Lunch and Learn With Leslie Scott-Jones from the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
• Thursday, Feb. 16 | Rest is Resistance: Black Women Respond to the Manifesto
• Friday, Feb. 17 | Black Resilience Training: The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness
• Friday, Feb. 17 | Free Concert: Black History Month Gospel Concert
• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Awards

More events.

Free Tickets | UVA Women’s Basketball

UVA Health has an allotment of 100 tickets for each home women’s basketball game this season. UVA Health team members can show their ID badge at the will-call office on the day of the game to receive up to four complimentary tickets to that day’s game. First come, first served. Offer valid during regular season only, ending on Feb. 19. See schedule.

FEAP: Reboot Your Health and Well-Being

Begins Tuesday, Feb. 14 | The Reboot class is a six-week group designed to help you reach your well-being goals in a supportive environment with individual coaching, a larger group class, and a supportive small group. Participants of previous sessions experienced a significant reduction in fatigue, depression, and anxiety. To register, contact Beth Frackleton at edw2z@virginia.edu or 434.243.8199.

Spring Into Safety! Patient Safety Awareness Celebrations

This year, National Patient Safety Awareness Week (PSAW) is March 12-18. PSAW is an annual recognition event intended to highlight healthcare safety and quality. Upcoming activities highlighting patient safety and quality include:

• Wednesday, Feb. 15 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Medical Center Hour: Something in the Air? Hospital Infection Control Policies and the Crisis in Evidence-Based Medicine | In this 2023 Jessie Stewart Richardson Memorial Lecture in Patient Quality and Safety, Trish Greenhalgh, OBE, FMedSci, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, a prolific health-systems researcher with particular expertise in statistical methods and evidence-based medicine (EBM) discusses how these relate to quality improvement. Details.
• Thursday, Feb. 23 | 2023 Patient Safety Summit | Details and registration.
• Tuesday, March 14 | Vision and Voice | Medical Center CEO Wendy Horton will discuss patient safety in her blog, Vision and Voice.
• Wednesday, March 15 | WHYW and Be Safe | The We Hear You Wednesday (WHYW) brief will highlight recent examples of changes made as a result of Be Safe Events.
• Thursday, March 16 |
  • Charles L. Brown Award for Patient Care Quality Awardees | The winners of this award will be announced at the Medical Center Management Meeting.
  • Good Catch Awardees | Connect will shine a spotlight on recent Good Catch awardees.
• Friday, March 17 | Project Contest | Kick-off of the Interprofessional Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Project contest, organized by the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics.
• Monday, March 27 | Quality and Safety Grand Rounds | Featuring CNN anchor Jake Tapper and family. Sponsored by Quality and Performance Improvement (QPI).

Clinical Updates From the Experts: Workplace Violence Against Healthcare Workers and Reporting

Thursday, Feb. 16 | 4-5 p.m. | Virtual | A live presentation by Ha Do Byon, PhD, MS, MPH, RN, Assistant Professor of Nursing. Details.

Nominate an RN for a Nursing Excellence Award

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 23 | The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors several nurses each year for demonstrating excellence in their roles. Award recipients are selected based on peer-reviewed nominations received by the NPGO Awards and Recognition Committee. Please consider nominating one or more of your well-deserving RN colleagues for these honors. Learn more. Questions? Email npgo@uvahealth.org.

Appreciation

‘The Best Care’ | Kudos for Our Dental Clinic Colleagues

In order 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 are just a few of our favorite comments recently made about the Dental Clinic.

• “Quyhn Tran was very thorough, gentle, and efficient, and highly recommended. Dr. Mor, dentist, very thorough, gentle, and answered questions and offered recommendations. Cindy, front desk, also very knowledgeable, and well-versed with dental practice. Very helpful with scheduling appointments/payments.”
• “Evelyn is #1. Please don't let her retire. She has cared for me for about 30 years and has kept me healthy.”
• “The best care — I even got a phone call to be sure I made it home.”
• “Great experience. Everyone kept me informed while the procedure was happening.”
• “Dr. Mor is awesome.”
• “Arrived early and was seen before my appointment time — appreciated that.”
• “I highly value the prompt and skilled attention I received from Dr. Mor and the UVA dental team.”
• “The telephone agents are terrific. I have spoken with Sam on numerous occasions. He makes sure all of the Is are dotted and the Ts are crossed. A perfect attitude for his job! Five stars!”
• “Dr. Galbraith has strong interpersonal skills, is detail-oriented, and has professional expertise. He always makes sure I get my cleaning done and my teeth are healthy. An excellent dentist.”

Thanks to all of our Dental Clinic team members for providing outstanding, compassionate, and safe care!

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023

Strategic Plan Virtual Coffee Talk With Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer

Grab your coffee and learn more about UVA Health’s first enterprisewide strategic plan, One Future Together | Hope and Health for All, by joining a virtual coffee talk session with Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer. During the times below, Jason will share plan details and discuss how we will work together to implement the plan to achieve our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond. Don’t miss this great opportunity to join in the conversation about UVA Health’s bright future. All UVA Health team members are invited to attend. Space is limited. Please email Peggy Pasternak at PSP3P@uvahealth.org to RSVP.

• Thursday, Feb. 9 | noon-1 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 24 | noon-1 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 27 | 7-8 a.m.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 12:19 p.m. Feb. 8)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Feb. 8)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data)

Public Health Emergency to End in May: How This Impacts Telemedicine

Per the Biden Administration — the national public health emergency (PHE) declarations addressing COVID-19 will expire May 11, 2023. Some select Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire on May 11, while the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 extended others through Dec. 31, 2024.

What will change for clinical practice — video and audio-only visits:

• Providers will no longer be able to prescribe Schedule 2-5 controlled substances for initial visits via telehealth visits only (must meet in-person examination requirements as of the PHE expiration date) unless the patient is at a Drug Enforcement Agency-registered (DEA) facility or in the presence of a DEA-registered provider. UVA Health is currently awaiting a congressionally mandated special registration process that would ease the above restrictions.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will now likely begin to audit all video and telephone visits that are completed via a HIPAA-compliant platform.(Providers can no longer use non-HIPAA-compliant applications, such as FaceTime.)

What will NOT change:
The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities through Dec. 2024. This means:

• No restrictions on patient location — flexibilities extended to geographic and originating sites (i.e., home, office, car, etc.)
• Expanded eligible practitioners (including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, and audiologists)
• Audio-only allowed — extending coverage and payment for audio-only telehealth
• Eliminate or delay the in-person telemental health requirement
• Federally Qualified Health Center and Rural Health Clinic telehealth coverage and reimbursement

Stay tuned for detailed information in the weeks ahead. Questions? Contact Telemedicine@virginia.edu.

Operations

Construction Alert | Fontaine Research Park

Through Friday, March 3 | Well-drilling will occur at Fontaine Research Park. There will be minimal disruptions, however parking in the immediate area will be impacted.

Relocating: Stem Cell Transplant Clinic

Monday, Feb. 13 | After completing refurbishment in the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, the Stem Cell Transplant Clinic will be relocating to its new home on the second floor. The clinic’s new location will begin seeing patients on Feb. 13. Questions? Contact Judy Kauffman at JCK4F@uvahealth.org.

Leadership

Medical Center CEO Blog: Lights Will Guide You Home

In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, discusses Black History Month and its wide array of opportunities for celebration and engagement. (Pictured: Jason Max Ferdinand Singers.) Read more.

Save the Date: Let’s Have a Conversation

Tuesday, Feb. 14 | We invite you to have a conversation about what our new mission statement and ASPIRE values mean to you. UVA Health leadership will be hosting tables across the health system where they’ll be handing out Valentine’s Day conversation hearts candies and ASPIRE values cards. This is your chance to speak directly to our leaders about our mission, vision, and values, how together we can make UVA Health the best place to work, or any other ideas you may have — and also get a sweet treat. Stop by one of these locations to join the discussion, add your comments to the whiteboards (first three locations), and pick up a to-go ASPIRE card.

• Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center (main doors to the left)
• West Complex (Badge Office hallway)
• University Hospital (two locations near the main cafeteria)
• Orthopedic Center Ivy Road
• Battle Building

Details on times and specific locations to come.

• Can’t attend? You can still participate! | Please answer the following question: How do you live by our values every day? Post your answer on the interactive Kudoboard.

Breakfast With the CEO

McKim Hall, Room 3001 | Join Dr. Craig Kent’s upcoming breakfast and conversation events. These small-group breakfasts are a great opportunity for team members to share their experiences and offer ideas to help shape the future of our organization. Sign up.

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

Free Tickets | UVA Women’s Basketball

UVA Health has an allotment of 100 tickets for each home women’s basketball game this season. UVA Health team members can show their ID badge at the will-call office on the day of the game to receive up to four complimentary tickets to that day’s game. First come, first served. Offer valid during regular season only, ending on Feb. 19. See schedule.

Jewelry and Accessories Sale

Feb. 8-10 | The Link near Primary Care Center | Masquerade Jewelry will be setting up shop in University Hospital. Sponsored by and proceeds to benefit UVA Auxiliary.

• Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 9 | 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 10 | 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Last Call to Nominate: John T. Casteen Diversity-Equity-Inclusion Leadership Award

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 10 | The Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion invites nominations for the 14th annual John T. Casteen Diversity-Equity-Inclusion Leadership Award. The award honors one student, one staff member, and one faculty member from the University of Virginia, UVA Health, and University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Details.

Postpartum Depression: Management & Outcomes | Neuroactive Steroid Treatments

Friday, Feb. 10 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual | Dr. Jennifer Payne, Professor and Vice Chair Research, UVA Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, discusses postpartum depression, including risk factors, biological basis, outcomes, effects on children; management of psychiatric disorders during and after pregnancy; and neuroactive steroid treatments for postpartum depression. Sessions will be recorded and shared with those who register. CME credits available. Register.

Celebrate Black History Month

As UVA Health acknowledges, brings awareness, and celebrates the 2023 Black History Month theme, “Black Resistance: Restoration and Resilience,” we are dedicated to standing with our Black patients, visitors, team members, and students in recognizing the importance of resisting health inequities and striving to improve community health by addressing social determinants of health.

UVA Health is celebrating Black History Month with a series of events. Details, times, locations, and more events can be found here.

• Through Thursday, Feb. 23 | Common Book Read: Rest Is Resistance
• Wednesday, Feb. 15 | Lunch and Learn With Leslie Scott-Jones from the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
• Thursday, Feb. 16 | Rest is Resistance: Black Women Respond to the Manifesto
• Friday, Feb. 17 | Black Resilience Training: The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness
• Friday, Feb. 17 | Free Concert: Black History Month Gospel Concert
• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Awards

More events.

Graduate Nursing Student Organization Spring Blood Drive

Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Student Health and Wellness Center | 550 Brandon Ave. | Conference Hall 101B | Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter "UVANURSING" to schedule an appointment.

Sigma Conference: Staffing Challenges and Practical Solutions

Wednesday, Feb. 15 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual | A lunch-and-learn conference moderated by professor Sharon Bragg and panelists Aleshia Schramm (charge nurse at Wheeling Hospital), Kris Blackstone (nurse manager at UVA Health), Ijeoma Enweana (senior clinical nurse educator for Conexus MedStaff), and Priscilla Rameseur (interim chief nurse executive at Duke-Raleigh Hospital). Register.

Spring Into Safety! Patient Safety Awareness Celebrations

This year, National Patient Safety Awareness Week (PSAW) is March 12-18. PSAW is an annual recognition event intended to highlight healthcare safety and quality. Upcoming activities highlighting patient safety and quality include:

• Wednesday, Feb. 15 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Medical Center Hour: Something in the Air? Hospital Infection Control Policies and the Crisis in Evidence-Based Medicine | In this 2023 Jessie Stewart Richardson Memorial Lecture in Patient Quality and Safety, Trish Greenhalgh, OBE, FMedSci, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, a prolific health-systems researcher with particular expertise in statistical methods and evidence-based medicine (EBM) discusses how these relate to quality improvement. Details.
• Thursday, Feb. 23 | 2023 Patient Safety Summit | Details and registration.
• Tuesday, March 14 | Vision and Voice | Medical Center CEO Wendy Horton will discuss patient safety in her blog, Vision and Voice.
• Wednesday, March 15 | WHYW and Be Safe | The We Hear You Wednesday (WHYW) brief will highlight recent examples of changes made as a result of Be Safe Events.
• Thursday, March 16 |
  • Charles L. Brown Award for Patient Care Quality Awardees | The winners of this award will be announced at the Medical Center Management Meeting.
  • Good Catch Awardees | Connect will shine a spotlight on recent Good Catch awardees.
• Friday, March 17 | Project Contest | Kick-off of the Interprofessional Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Project contest, organized by the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics.
• Monday, March 27 | Quality and Safety Grand Rounds | Featuring CNN anchor Jake Tapper and family. Sponsored by Quality and Performance Improvement (QPI).

Mindfulness Renewal

Mondays, March 6-27 I 4-6 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, March 11 | Register.

Appreciation

Hoos4aCure Team Hiking for Children’s Cancer Research

On Saturday, May 6, several UVA Health team members will be participating in the Shenandoah Valley Ultimate Hike, trekking 21 miles across the trails on Massanutten Mountain. The team — Hoos4aCure — aims to complete this ultimate course in one (very long) day, rain or shine, and raise over $20,000 for CureSearch for Children’s Cancer. CureSearch funds and supports targeted and innovative children’s cancer research with measurable results. They are ensuring that children with cancer today receive the best care, and that children with cancer tomorrow will face a much more curable disease.
 
The Hoos4aCure team is inspired by the small superheroes they work with every day and want to honor them by telling childhood cancer to take a hike! Support the Hoos4aCure team by donating or, if you would like to lace up your hiking boots and join the team, email Catherine Powell Lehman at cap8rh@uvahealth.org. (Photo: Three Hoos4aCure teammates Britt Lowell, Leslie Richardson, and Catherine Lehman from the Battle Building Hematology/Oncology Clinic and the Pediatric Infusion Center.)

Thank you to the Hoos4aCure team for hiking and raising money, and to all who deliver outstanding care to our pediatric cancer patients.

Monday, Feb. 6, 2023

Recent DDoS Attacks Impacting U.S. Healthcare

Recent reports indicate that some government websites, healthcare institutions, banks, and airports are being targeted by coordinated distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. This type of cyberattack disrupts normal traffic of a server, service, or network by overwhelming the target with a massive amount of internet traffic.

The Information Security team is currently at a heightened state of alert but has not seen evidence of specific DDoS attacks targeting UVA Health’s networks or critical systems. If an attack is identified, the information security team will take appropriate actions and limit risks to our systems. Here’s what you can do to help:

• Awareness | Be aware of the current threats to the United States’ health and hospital infrastructure.  
• Minimize Threats | Use your UVA Health computer only for work-related activities. This minimizes threats originating from third-party websites.
• Phishing | Don't fall victim to phishing attacks. While UVA Health has technical protections, the first layer of defense is you. Be able to identify and report suspicious and malicious emails, text messages, or phone calls. Learn more about phishing.

Questions? Contact Health information and Technology at 434.924.5334 or mccsecurity@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 12:04 p.m. Feb. 6)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Feb. 6)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data)

Public Health Emergency to End in May: How This Impacts Telemedicine

Per the Biden Administration — the national public health emergency (PHE) declarations addressing COVID-19 will expire May 11, 2023. Some select Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire on May 11, while the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 extended others through Dec. 31, 2024.

What will change for clinical practice — video and audio-only visits:

• Providers will no longer be able to prescribe Schedule 2-5 controlled substances for initial visits via telehealth visits only (must meet in-person examination requirements as of the PHE expiration date) unless the patient is at a Drug Enforcement Agency-registered (DEA) facility or in the presence of a DEA-registered provider. UVA Health is currently awaiting a congressionally mandated special registration process that would ease the above restrictions.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will now likely begin to audit all video and telephone visits that are completed via a HIPAA-compliant platform. (Providers can no longer use non-HIPAA-compliant applications, like FaceTime.)

What will NOT change:

The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities through Dec. 2024. This means:

• No restrictions on patient location — flexibilities extended to geographic and originating sites (i.e., home, office, car, etc.)
• Expanded eligible practitioners (including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, and audiologists)
• Audio-only allowed — extending coverage and payment for audio-only telehealth
• Eliminate or delay the in-person telemental health requirement
• Federally Qualified Health Center and Rural Health Clinic telehealth coverage and reimbursement

Stay tuned for detailed information in the weeks ahead. Questions? Contact Telemedicine@virginia.edu.

Operations

Construction Alert | Pharmacy Carousel Replacement, Phase 1

Through Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 8 a.m.-5p.m. | Crispell Drive | To aid in delivery of critical infrastructure for Pharmacy medication carousel replacements, Crispell Drive will be partially blocked during material-delivery times with flaggers in place. Please expect short-term delays.

Relocating: Stem Cell Transplant Clinic

Monday, Feb. 13 | After completing refurbishment in the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, the Stem Cell Transplant Clinic will be relocating to its new home on the second floor. The clinic’s new location will begin seeing patients on Feb. 13. Questions? Contact Judy Kauffman at JCK4F@uvahealth.org.

Leadership

Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Features Jason Lineen

Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer, was recently featured on Becker’s Healthcare Podcast.  In this episode, he discusses the goals of UVA Health and our strategic plan, including key initiatives that support all four of our missions (clinical care, research, education, and community), the importance of the chief strategy officer role, what he is most excited about, his career journey, and more. Listen now.

Save the Date: Let’s Have a Conversation

Tuesday, Feb. 14 | We invite you to have a conversation about what our new mission statement and ASPIRE values mean to you. UVA Health leadership will be hosting tables across the health system where they’ll be handing out Valentine’s Day conversation hearts candies and ASPIRE values cards. This is your chance to speak directly to our leaders about our mission, vision, and values, how together we can make UVA Health the best place to work, or any other ideas you may have — and also get a sweet treat. Stop by one of these locations to join the discussion, add your comments to the whiteboards (first three locations), and pick up a to-go ASPIRE card:

• Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center (main doors to the left)
• West Complex (Badge Office hallway)
• University Hospital (two locations near the main cafeteria)
• Fontaine Research Park
• Orthopedic Center Ivy Road
• Battle Building

Details on times and specific locations to come.

• Can’t attend? You can still participate! | Please answer the following question: How do you live by our values every day? Post your answer on the interactive Kudoboard.

Happenings

Free Tickets | UVA Women’s Basketball

UVA Health has an allotment of 100 tickets for each home women’s basketball game this season. UVA Health team members can show their ID badge at the will-call office on the day of the game to receive up to four complimentary tickets to that day’s game. First come, first served. Offer valid during regular season only, ending on Feb. 19. See schedule.

Celebrate Black History Month

As UVA Health acknowledges, brings awareness, and celebrates the 2023 Black History Month theme, “Black Resistance: Restoration and Resilience,” we are dedicated to standing with our Black patients, visitors, team members, and students in recognizing the importance of resisting health inequities and striving to improve community health by addressing social determinants of health.

UVA Health is celebrating Black History Month with a series of events. Details, times, locations, and more events can be found here.

• Through Thursday, Feb. 23 | Common Book Read: Rest Is Resistance
• Wednesday, Feb. 8 | UVA Health Special Event | Massive Resilience: Cultivating Equity and Justice for Seven Generations
• Wednesday, Feb 8 | Diversity Dialogue With Dr. Downs
• Wednesday, Feb. 8 | Drum Circle: The Art of Resistance and Healing
• Wednesday, Feb. 15 | Lunch and Learn With Leslie Scott-Jones from the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
• Thursday, Feb. 16 | Rest is Resistance: Black Women Respond to the Manifesto
• Friday, Feb. 17 | Black Resilience Training: The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness
• Friday, Feb. 17 | Free Concert: Black History Month Gospel Concert
• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Awards

More events.

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, Feb. 7 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 16 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Monday, Feb. 20 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | noon-3 p.m.

Providers: Please make sure your online profile is accurate, up to date, and complete — including a provider profile video. Details and scheduling.

Jewelry and Accessories Sale

Feb. 8-10 | The Link near Primary Care Center | Masquerade Jewelry will be setting up shop in University Hospital. Sponsored by and proceeds to benefit UVA Auxiliary.

• Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 9 | 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 10 | 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Medical Center Hour | Sharing the Language of ALS

Wednesday, Feb. 8 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | This 2023 Koppaka Family Foundation Lecture in the Health Humanities features Richard Bedlack, MD, PhD, M.Sc., Professor of Neurology, Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Director of the Duke ALS Clinic, Duke University School of Medicine, and moderator James Plews-Ogan, MD, UVA Professor of Pediatrics, Emeritus. Free and open to the public. Details.

Postpartum Depression: Management & Outcomes | Neuroactive Steroid Treatments

Friday, Feb. 10 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual | Dr. Jennifer Payne, Professor and Vice Chair Research, UVA Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, discusses postpartum depression, including risk factors, biological basis, outcomes, effects on children; management of psychiatric disorders during and after pregnancy; and neuroactive steroid treatments for postpartum depression. Sessions will be recorded and shared with those who register. CME credits available. Register.

FEAP: Reboot Your Health and Well-Being

Begins Tuesday, Feb. 14 | The Reboot class is a six-week group designed to help you reach your well-being goals in a supportive environment with individual coaching, a larger group class, and a supportive small group. Participants of previous sessions experienced a significant reduction in fatigue, depression, and anxiety. To register, contact Beth Frackleton at edw2z@virginia.edu or 434.243.8199.

Save the Date: 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. Early-bird registration through Saturday, March 11. Details and registration.

Appreciation

Thank You for Supporting Healthy Hearts

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Friday, Feb. 3, was National Wear Red Day, an annual campaign to raise awareness about heart disease in women. (February is also American Heart Month, so everyone was encouraged to wear this stunning color to help focus on cardiovascular risks and diseases.)

Thank you to all who wore their best red outfits for the cause! Visit Connect to see photos of your UVA Health colleagues showing their support for heart disease awareness.

Friday, Feb. 3, 2023

Save the Date: Let’s Have a Conversation!

Tuesday, Feb. 14 | We invite you to have a conversation about what our new mission statement and ASPIRE values mean to you. UVA Health leadership will be hosting tables across the health system where they’ll be handing out Valentine’s Day conversation hearts candies and ASPIRE values cards. This is your chance to speak directly to our leaders about our mission, vision, and values, how together we can make UVA Health the best place to work, or any other ideas you may have — and also get a sweet treat. Stop by one of these locations to join the discussion, add your comments to the whiteboards (first three locations), and pick up a to-go ASPIRE card:

• Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center (main doors to the left)
• West Complex (Badge Office hallway)
• University Hospital (two locations near the main cafeteria)
• Fontaine Research Park
• Orthopedic Center Ivy Road
• Battle Building

Details on times and specific locations will be available next week.

Can’t attend? You can still participate! | Please answer the following question: How do you live by our values every day? Post your answer on the interactive Kudoboard.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 12:04 p.m. Feb. 3)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Feb. 3)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data)

Public Health Emergency to End in May

President Joe Biden recently informed Congress that, on May 11, he will end the national public health emergency (PHE) declarations addressing COVID-19.

How does this impact your clinical practice and use of telemedicine?

• Providers will no longer be able to prescribe Schedule 2-5 controlled substances for initial visits via telehealth visits only (must meet in-person examination requirements as of the PHE expiration date) unless the patient is at a Drug Enforcement Agency-registered (DEA) facility or in the presence of a DEA-registered provider. UVA Health is currently awaiting a congressionally mandated special registration process that would ease the above restrictions.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will now likely begin to audit all video and telephone visits to ensure they are completed via a HIPAA-compliant platform. (Providers can no longer use non-HIPAA-compliant applications, like FaceTime.)

Great news, though: The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities through Dec. 2024. This means:

• Flexibilities extended to geographic and originating sites (i.e., anywhere a patient is located, including their home)
• Expanded eligible practitioners (including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, and audiologists)
• Federally Qualified Health Center and Rural Health Clinic telehealth coverage and reimbursement
• Eliminate or delay the in-person telemental health requirement
• Extending coverage and payment for audio-only telehealth

Stay tuned for detailed information in the weeks ahead. Questions? Contact Telemedicine@virginia.edu.

Operations

Take the Cafeteria Survey Today

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 3 | Morrison Healthcare, UVA Health’s dining vendor, is seeking feedback on your experience in the cafeteria. Fill out a survey to let them know how they did and how they can make your experience better next time. Take the survey now.

Construction Alerts

• Sewer Line Repair: Outage in the East Tower | Through Tuesday, Feb. 21. | Mondays-Thursdays | midnight-4 a.m. | East Tower | The Medical Center is replacing the main sewer lines servicing the University Hospital’s East Tower. This work is being performed to avoid unplanned leaks that could potentially impact our ability to provide patient care across large sections of our units. To make these critical repairs, restrooms in impacted areas will be inaccessible while work is being conducted. Only the East Tower of University Hospital is being impacted by these planned outages. Read the FAQ on Connect. Questions? Contact your manager for details on how this affects hand sanitation, restroom usage, and patient care in your unit/area.
• Pharmacy Carousel Replacement, Phase 1 | Monday, Feb. 6, to Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 8 a.m.-5p.m. | Crispell Drive | To aid in delivery of critical infrastructure for Pharmacy medication carousel replacements, Crispell Drive will be partially blocked during material-delivery times with flaggers in place. Please expect short-term delays.

Relocating: Stem Cell Transplant Clinic

Monday, Feb. 13 | After completing refurbishment in the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, the Stem Cell Transplant Clinic will be relocating to its new home on the second floor. The clinic’s new location will begin seeing patients on Feb. 13. Questions? Contact Judy Kauffman at JCK4F@uvahealth.org.

Leadership

Refreshing Our Mission, Vision, and Values: One Year Later

It has been one year since UVA Health launched its refreshed mission, vision, and values and since then a lot has taken place. Neeral Shah, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Hepatology, and Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer, discuss on Connect.

• Learn more about the strategic plan on the new and improved website, One Future Together | Health and Hope for All.

Strategic Plan Virtual Coffee Talk With Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer

Grab your coffee and learn more about UVA Health’s first enterprisewide strategic plan, One Future Together | Hope and Health for All, by joining a virtual coffee talk session with Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer. Jason will share plan details and discuss how we will work together to implement the plan to achieve our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond. Don’t miss this great opportunity to join in the conversation about UVA Health’s bright future. All UVA Health team members are invited to attend. Space is limited. Please email Peggy Pasternak at PSP3P@uvahealth.org to RSVP.

• Thursday, Feb. 9 | noon-1 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 24 | noon-1 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 27 | 7-8 a.m.

Human Resources

Last Chance: Take the UVA Family Support Collab Childcare Survey

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 3 | Deadline 5 p.m. | UVA is conducting a study to identify the current and future childcare needs of all team members. Please take a moment to complete the survey, even if you are not currently a parent or caregiver. The anonymous survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Questions? Email AskHR@virginia.edu. Take the survey.

Improve Your Well-Being and Earn Rewards Through Hoos Well

Hoos Well is excited to kick off a new year offering UVA Health team members access to evidenced-backed resources and programs that support their healthy lifestyles and help them meet their personal physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being goals. Team members and spouses on the UVA or UPG Health Plan can earn up to $500 in rewards by engaging in a reward-eligible activity.

Happenings

Celebrate Black History Month

As UVA Health acknowledges, brings awareness, and celebrates the 2023 Black History Month theme, “Black Resistance: Restoration and Resilience,” we are dedicated to standing with our Black patients, visitors, team members, and students in recognizing the importance of resisting health inequities and striving to improve community health by addressing social determinants of health.

UVA Health is celebrating Black History Month with a series of events. Details, times, locations, and more events can be found here.

• Through Thursday, Feb. 23 | Common Book Read: Rest Is Resistance
• Sunday, Feb. 5 | Free Concert: The Jason Max Ferdinand Singers
• Wednesday, Feb. 8 | UVA Health Special Event | Massive Resilience: Cultivating Equity and Justice for Seven Generations
• Wednesday, Feb 8 | Diversity Dialogue With Dr. Downs
• Wednesday, Feb. 8 | Drum Circle: The Art of Resistance and Healing
• Wednesday, Feb. 15 | Lunch and Learn With Leslie Scott-Jones from the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
• Thursday, Feb. 16 | Rest is Resistance: Black Women Respond to the Manifesto
• Friday, Feb. 17 | Black Resilience Training: The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness
• Friday, Feb. 17 | Free Concert: Black History Month Gospel Concert
• Tuesday, Feb. 28 | Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Awards

More events.

Jewelry and Accessories Sale

Feb. 8-10 | The Link near Primary Care Center | Masquerade Jewelry will be setting up shop in University Hospital. Sponsored by and proceeds to benefit UVA Auxiliary.

• Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 9 | 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 10 | 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Nominate an RN for a Nursing Excellence Award

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 23 | The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors several nurses each year for demonstrating excellence in their roles. Award recipients are selected based on peer-reviewed nominations received by the NPGO Awards and Recognition Committee. Please consider nominating one or more of your well-deserving RN colleagues for these honors. Learn more. Questions? Email npgo@uvahealth.org.

Appreciation

'A Well-Oiled Machine' | Kudos for Our Ambulatory Surgery Colleagues

In order 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 are just a few of our favorite comments about Ambulatory Surgery this week.

• “Everyone was very friendly and made me feel like I was getting their full attention. This was my first time getting a colonoscopy, so I didn't know what to expect and really appreciated everyone's professionalism and attention — great job!”
• “All excellent! I've been an RN for 32 years with high standards regarding patient safety and satisfaction. This visit was outstanding!”
• “Could not believe how smoothly things went for such a big hospital. And the nurses were amazing! Also, I felt very safe with my doctor. A well-oiled machine.”
• “The care I received during this procedure was above and beyond, phenomenal!! The front-desk staff were all very friendly and informative. The pre-op nurses were very helpful in explaining things to me. Everyone from the anesthesiologist team was very kind and patient with me. My doctor and her team were the best. I honestly cannot give enough praise on how well everyone came together and worked as a team to make sure my anxiety was calm and also wanted to address what I was worried about. Post-op nurse was also very kind and informative.”
• “The best experience I've had at any medical facility. Well organized, clean and professionally run facility. Knowledgeable and caring staff. I felt like I was getting the best care for my condition as possible which I believe helped me heal quickly and with very little mental stress.”
• “Care and treatment were excellent, and I highly recommend the new orthopedic center on Ivy Road for procedures. I have always been faithful to UVA Orthopedics for treatment and would never consider going elsewhere.”
• “UVA is a caring, nurturing, medical facility that employs exceptional staff members at all levels. They make you feel welcomed, calm, and heard. Keep up the good work. It is very much appreciated.”
• “I was extremely nervous and everyone — staff and doctors and nurses — made me feel at ease.”

Thanks to all of our Ambulatory Surgery team members for providing outstanding, compassionate, and safe care!

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023

National Wear Red Day

Friday, Feb. 3 | The first Friday in February is National Wear Red Day, an annual campaign to raise awareness about heart disease in women. February is also American Heart Month, so everyone is encouraged to wear this stunning color to help focus on cardiovascular risks and diseases.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 1:35 p.m. Feb. 1)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Feb. 1)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data)

Ambulatory

New Late Arrival, No Show, and Late Cancel Policy Takes Effect Today

Are you up to speed on the new Late Arrival, No Show, and Late Cancellation Policy that takes effect today? Developed as part of the One Team | United on Access project, the policy will help ambulatory clinics address patients who repeatedly fail to show, cancel late, or are late to appointments, bolstering patient access and delivering a more consistent patient experience. Learn more on Connect.

Operations

Construction Alerts

• Sewer Line Repair: Outage in the East Tower| Through Tuesday, Feb. 21. | Mondays-Thursdays | midnight-4 a.m. | East Tower | The Medical Center is replacing the main sewer lines servicing the University Hospital’s East Tower. This work is being performed to avoid unplanned leaks that could potentially impact our ability to provide patient care across large sections of our units. To make these critical repairs, restrooms in impacted areas will be inaccessible while work is being conducted. Only the East Tower of University Hospital is being impacted by these planned outages. Read the FAQ on Connect. Questions? Contact your manager for details on how this affects hand sanitation, restroom usage, and patient care in your unit/area.
• Pharmacy Carousel Replacement, Phase 1 | Monday, Feb. 6, to Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 8 a.m.-5p.m. | Crispell Drive | To aid in delivery of critical infrastructure for Pharmacy medication carousel replacements, Crispell Drive will be partially blocked during material-delivery times with flaggers in place. Please expect short-term delays.

Feedback: Take the Cafeteria Survey

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 3 | Morrison Healthcare, UVA Health’s dining vendor, is seeking feedback on your experience in the cafeteria. Fill out a survey to let them know how they did and how they can make your experience better next time. Take the survey now.

Leadership

Medical Center CEO Blog: Work-Life Balance Support Coming in 2023

In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, discusses UVA Health’s commitment to finding new ways to help you balance your work and personal lives. Read more.

Breakfast With the CEO

McKim Hall, Room 3001 | New dates have been added for Dr. Craig Kent’s upcoming breakfast and conversation events. These small-group breakfasts are a great opportunity for team members to share their experiences and offer ideas to help shape the future of our organization. Sign up.

Human Resources

Take the UVA Family Support Collab Childcare Survey

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 3 | UVA is conducting a study to identify the current and future childcare needs of all team members. Please take a moment to complete the survey, even if you are not currently a parent or caregiver. The anonymous survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Questions? Email AskHR@virginia.edu. Take the survey.

Happenings

FEAP Is Here for You

As we enter a new year, the Faculty and Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) recognizes that we are all starting from a different place and a different perspective. Whether you are grappling with trauma or ready to ignite joy and spark appreciation, FEAP has resources available to help. Explore these upcoming virtual, on-demand resources, group classes, and educational webinars.

• Connect for Support | Ongoing | Drop-in sessions to connect with others.
• Spark Appreciation | Thursday, Feb. 2 | noon-1 p.m. | Learn the science behind practicing appreciation.
• Reboot Your Well-Being | Begins Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 3-4:15 p.m. | Group and individual coaching to help you reach well-being goals.
• Circle of Light | Begins Thursday, Feb. 23 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | An emotional wellness space where individuals can process their experience with racial trauma.

Mindfulness Classes

• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction | Thursdays, Feb. 2 to March 23 I 4-6:30 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, March 11 | Register.
• Free Mindfulness for UVA Health Employees | Thursdays, Feb. 2 to March 23 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, March 11 | Zoom | Register.
• Mindfulness Renewal | Mondays, March 6-27 I 4-6 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, March 11 | Register.

Schwartz Center Rounds | “But He Says This All the Time”

Friday, Feb. 3 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium | When a patient is involuntarily discharged from a clinic because of their behavior, how does it affect the care team? Panelists include Rasheed Balogun, MD; Kim Deaver, MSN, RN; Bruce Gehle, JD; Bizz Glover, M.Ed, SLP; and Yvonne Jarvis, MSN, RN. Continuing Education credits are available, and grab-and-go box lunches will be provided to the first 50 attendees. Send questions to Hannah Crosby at hrw5x@virginia.edu. Register.

Jewelry and Accessories Sale

Feb. 8-10 | The Link near Primary Care Center | Masquerade Jewelry will be setting up shop in University Hospital. Sponsored by and proceeds to benefit UVA Auxiliary.

• Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 9 | 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 10 | 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Save the Date: 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Awards

Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 5-6 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium and Zoom | This award will be presented to UVA Health team members who embody Dr. Martin Luther King's values and teachings in cultural competence, healthcare disparities, or fostering an environment of inclusiveness, in accordance with the institution's mission and values. Guest speaker is 2013 MLK Jr. UVA Health Award winner Dr. Pamela Ross. Registration and Zoom links to come.

Appreciation

School of Nursing Sim Lab Earns INACSL Endorsement

The School of Nursing's Mary Morton Parsons Clinical Simulation Learning Center was one of just 14 simulation labs from across the country to earn an endorsement from the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) for excellence in applying the four core standards of simulation, which include pre-briefing, debriefing, facilitation, and professional integrity.

The honor, said Sim Lab Director and Assistant Professor Ryne Ackard, is a testament to the skill, creativity, and commitment to excellence of simulation faculty and staff.

"While simulation was once thought of as 'see-then-practice,' today's professional academia recognizes the deeper level of conceptual and practical understanding that simulation enables," said Ackard, who directs the UVA Healthcare Simulation Collaborative between the Schools of Nursing and Medicine while also taking a hands-on, day-to-day approach with nursing students and faculty in the McLeod Hall sim lab. "Our small-but-mighty team is committed to ensuring students take part in the most interesting, most robust, evidence-based scenarios possible in our lab. We're proud of this endorsement, and of the work we do."

Please join us in congratulating our School of Nursing colleagues! Read more on Connect.

Archive | UVA Health Update

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