Accepting Applications: ​​Charles L. Brown Award

Deadline Friday, March 15 | 5 p.m. | The Charles L. Brown Award for Patient Care Quality is UVA Health’s annual award for a care team who has worked to move our quality and patient safety efforts forward. Sponsored by the Department of Quality and Performance Improvement, this award offers a $10,000 prize to a team or teams to recognize excellence in patient care. Submit an application. Questions? Contact Jeff Lucas, Director, Performance Improvement, at 434.243.1755.

Photo: Last year’s Charles L. Brown Award for Patient Care Quality awardees Chanel Hammer, RN, and Meador Horne, BSN, RN, CDCES, UVA Physicians Group, Orange, pose with Tracey Hoke, MD, Chief of Quality and Performance Improvement (left), and Wendy Horton, PharmD, CEO, UVA Health University Medical Center (right).

Patient Care

Same Day Care Clinic Available for Acute and Urgent Care Overflow 

As respiratory and other illnesses circulate in our area, ambulatory clinics are reminded that UVA Health Same Day Care (SDC) is an available overflow option for acute/urgent adult patients, offering provider and nurse visits. In order to be seen at SDC, patients must be scheduled by a UVA Health clinic, department, or provider. Team members may schedule appointments directly in the “JPA Same Day CL” Epic department using visit type “PC Same Day.”

Pediatric patients should not be scheduled at SDC, nor should patients with emergent issues such as chest pain, suspicion of stroke, etc. Same Day Care is not a walk-in urgent care — patients need an appointment. For questions, contact Ben Dolewski, Ambulatory Director, Primary Care.

Happenings

Heart Month Food Drive in Honor of Dr. Lew Lipson

Through Thursday, Feb. 29 | Drop off locations will be throughout the Heart and Vascular Center (Cath Lab, CTU, OR, F 500 Cardiology, CV Surgery and PCC Cardiology Clinics, 2nd floor F 400, and UVA Health Augusta/Fishersville Cardiology Clinic). Most needed items include: low sodium canned soup, stew, chili; low sodium canned vegetables; low sugar whole grain cereal; low sugar peanut and almond butter; boxed macaroni and cheese; whole grain rice and pasta; canned tuna and chicken; paper products; baby food, formula, and diapers; soap and feminine products; and toothbrushes. Sponsored by the Cath Lab, CTU, and ambulatory clinics. Donate online.

Last Call | Spark Innovation Competition 

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 29 | UVA Health is excited for the second round of the Spark innovation and ideas competition, which will help bring your great ideas to life. Think of the last time you said, “What if …” or “If only …” Share those thoughts and ideas through the Spark website. This round of the competition has a focus on our research environment. UVA Health wants to hear ideas from every part of the health system. Disrupt the norm, create positive change, and submit your ideas for a chance to win $1,000. Learn more. 

Show Your Stripes on Rare Disease Day

Thursday, Feb. 29 | Rare Disease Day is an internationally recognized day and initiative to raise awareness, generate support and advocate for care and treatments for the 300 million people globally. The zebra is the official mascot for rare disease patients. Historically, medical professionals were told that when they “hear hoofbeats,” they should not expect to see a zebra. In other words, look for the more common answer, a horse. Today, we know that 1 in 10 Americans is a zebra! It’s not always obvious to recognize or diagnose a person with a rare disease (a zebra). As a result, this can cause a delay in care and often negatively impacts a person’s quality of life or life expectancy. On Feb. 29, use #ShowYourStripes on social media and wear stripes to start conversations to help others learn about the prevalence and challenges of rare diseases. 

Nurses: Learn More About the RN-to-BSN Program

See dates below | Zoom | Register | Join Virginia’s No. 1 RN to BSN, a part-time, executive-format program designed for working nurses ready to tap the personal, professional, and financial benefits of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Courses are taught mostly online with a once-a-month, in-person gathering:

• Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6-7 p.m.
• Friday, March 1 | 10-11 a.m.
• Wednesday, March 13 | 6-7 p.m.

Sign Up to Donate Blood

Tuesday, March 5 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Battle Building, First Floor | Quayle Learning Center | 1204 West Main St. | Support the American Red Cross — UVA Health’s primary supplier of blood products — in alleviating the severe blood shortage by volunteering to donate blood. Sign up by emailing giveblood@uvahealth.org or visiting redcrossblood.org. Swag alert: Donate March 1-24 and receive a $10 e-gift card to a pet supply merchant of choice. Plus, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card. Terms apply.

Tuesday Talks With Locus

Tuesday, March 5 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Novella Thompson, Administrator, Population Health, discusses “Unlocking Access: Transforming Healthcare Delivery Through Population Health Programs That Leverage Innovative Technology.“ Register.

Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Wednesday, March 6 | 7-9 a.m. | Newcomb Hall, 2nd floor | Come for a sit-down meal or grab breakfast and/or a cup of coffee to go. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, oatmeal from the Hoos Well oatmeal bar, and fruit will be served along with vegan and gluten-free options. Catered by the Fresh Food Company. No RSVP required. Free parking available at Central Grounds Parking Garage. 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. Look for the UVA bus displaying Staff Appreciation Breakfast messaging.

Women's History Month | SOM Student Stories: A Panel Discussion

Thursday, March 7 | 7-8 p.m. | Zoom | RSVP | School of Medicine Student Stories series offers an opportunity for exceptional student leaders to share more about their educational journeys, future aspirations, and experiences they’ve had navigating their way into medical and doctoral programs. Featured panelists include (pictured, l-r) Kendall Bromley (PhD student, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics), Hirra Chaundhary (medical student), Dana May (PhD student, Neuroscience Graduate Program), and Laiba Murad (medical student). 

Appreciation

‘Remarkable Testament’

The UVA Health Orthopedic Center Ivy Road (OCIR) team has gone above and beyond to support our UVA Health strategic plan initiatives of superior quality, patient safety, and outcomes — and easy access and experience of care — as evidenced by this recent case:

According to Lori Bennington, RN, ONC: a patient being seen in Gregory Domson, MD’s clinic as an initial visit, presented with a displaced femoral neck fracture (not pathological) — which is a specific type of hip fracture. The initial plan was to directly admit the patient for surgical intervention. There were no beds available, so the next option was to send the patient to the Emergency Department. (Pictured from left: Katie Schultz, resident; Lori Bennington, RN; Gregory Domson, MD; Clare McMahon, NP.)

But Dr. Domson consulted with Ian Duensing, MD, who already was doing cases at OCIR. The patient was added for a total hip replacement at OCIR, same day, and discharged home with a new hip. “What a remarkable testament to the center lovingly and painstakingly designed by Dr. Bobby Chhabra!” hails Bennington. “I’m proud to be part of this fabulous team!”

“This is incredible!” says A. Bobby Chhabra, MD, Director, OCIR. “Thanks to our Ortho/OCIR team for providing exceptional care for this patient. Truly amazing!” 

“Not many places are doing outpatient hip fractures,” says James Browne, MD, orthopedic surgeon. “Thanks to the OCIR team for their flexibility and willingness to do what was best for this patient.”

“This is also a testament to OCIR’s collaboration and teamwork so we may provide the best care for our patients!” agrees Jenn Pritt RN, BSN, CNOR, Perioperative Nurse Manager.

Six weeks later, Dr. Duensing reports the patient is progressing well — without a limp or assistive device, and nearly pain free. Congratulations to the OCIR team on strengthening our foundation, while providing health and hope for all!

(Pictured above from left, back row: Dustin Halcott, CST; Elaine Boelens, OR Charge RN; Andrew Rizzi, MD, Adult Reconstruction Surgery Fellow; Ian Duensing, MD, Adult Reconstruction Attending Surgeon. Front: Megan McDonald, RN.)

Previous Updates

Friday, Feb. 26

Last Call | Spark Innovation Competition

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 29 | UVA Health is excited for the second round of the Spark innovation and ideas competition, which will help bring your great ideas to life. Think of the last time you said, “What if …” or “If only …” Share those thoughts and ideas through the Spark website. This round of the competition has a focus on our research environment. 

UVA Health wants to hear ideas from every part of the health system. Disrupt the norm, create positive change, and submit your ideas for a chance to win $1,000. Learn more. 

Operations

Take the PolicyTech Survey

On Feb. 21, the University Medical Center PolicyTech Survey launched. PolicyTech is our agency’s document management system to house institutional policies, procedures, clinical guidelines, and protocol orders. This is a survey that allows everyone to provide feedback on our PolicyTech system to drive improvement. Everyone listed as a user in PolicyTech received an email invitation to participate. The survey is optional. The required task that users received from PolicyTech was a system error. The survey is not a requirement. This has been corrected so you should no longer have a task on your list. If interested, you can access the survey directly. For questions related to the survey, please contact PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.

PolicyTech Search Tips

As we prepare for our Joint Commission survey, below are some search tips and updates for University Medical Center’s instance of PolicyTech:

• Default search settings are by title and/or keyword.
• For better results, search the root of a word (e.g., “chair” is the root of “wheelchair,” “chair-side”). 
• Use a unique term. Searching with common terms (like “guideline,” “patient,” or “medication”) will result in hundreds of returns.
• Click here for additional search tips. 
• PolicyTech office hours are every Wednesday, 2-3 p.m., via Webex.

Have questions regarding PolicyTech search? Contact PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.

Human Resources

Administrators: Boost Your Skills and Advance Your Career

UVA understands that effective administrators make impactful contributions across all levels of our University and that keeping skills fresh in the field is critical. The School of Continuing and Professional Studies shares that there is still room left in this program that supports administrators.

• Higher Education Program for Executive Level Assistants (HEPELA)

Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded a digital badge as proof of their skills. The program costs $2,000 and can be funded using UVA education benefits from 2024 and 2025. Questions? Contact scpsinquiry@virginia.edu.

Happenings

Heart Month Food Drive in Honor of Dr. Lew Lipson

Through Thursday, Feb. 29 | Drop off locations will be throughout the Heart and Vascular Center (Cath Lab, CTU, OR, F 500 Cardiology, CV Surgery and PCC Cardiology Clinics, 2nd floor F 400, and UVA Health Augusta/Fishersville Cardiology Clinic). Most needed items include: low sodium canned soup, stew, chili; low sodium canned vegetables; low sugar whole grain cereal; low sugar peanut and almond butter; boxed macaroni and cheese; whole grain rice and pasta; canned tuna and chicken; paper products; baby food, formula, and diapers; soap and feminine products; and toothbrushes. Sponsored by the Cath Lab, CTU, and ambulatory clinics. Donate online.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor, Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers: get a new or updated headshot taken in 10 minutes or less on dates listed below. No appointment needed. Bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 6 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Monday, March 11 | 8 -11 a.m.
• Thursday, March 21 | 1:30-4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 26 | 9 a.m.-noon

Why We Choose Dialogue: An Israeli and a Palestinian Share Their Stories of Loss and Wish for Peace

Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 2-3 p.m. | Newcomb Hall, Commonwealth Room | A Palestinian and an Israeli who have lost family members in the conflict will tell their personal stories of bereavement and explain their choice to engage in dialogue. Presented by the Parents Circle-Families Forum, a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of more than 700 bereaved families. Sponsored by the UVA Provost’s Office, and facilitated by Tanya Denckla Cobb, Director, Institute for Engagement and Negotiation, and Lecturer, UVA School of Architecture.

2024 Black History Month | Racial Healing: The Heart of Racial Equity 

TO BE RESCHEDULED: Trauma and Race: A Path to Wellbeing | Wednesday, Feb. 28

• Author Spotlight | 2-3 p.m. | Medical Education Building 3110 | Reverend Dr. Micah McCreary, President, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Jersey; author, “Trauma and Race: A Path to Wellbeing,” about trauma-informed counseling for racially traumatized African (Black), Latino/a/x, Asian, and Native (Indigenous) Americans (ALANAs).
• Book Signing | 3-4 p.m. | Claude Moore Health Sciences Library lobby

Show Your Stripes on Rare Disease Day

Thursday, Feb. 29 | Rare Disease Day is an internationally recognized day and initiative to raise awareness, generate support and advocate for care and treatments for the 300 million people globally. The zebra is the official mascot for rare disease patients. Historically, medical professionals were told that when they “hear hoofbeats,” they should not expect to see a zebra. In other words, look for the more common answer, a horse. Today, we know that 1 in 10 Americans is a zebra! It’s not always obvious to recognize or diagnose a person with a rare disease (a zebra). As a result, this can cause a delay in care and often negatively impacts a person’s quality of life or life expectancy. On Feb. 29, use #ShowYourStripes on social media and wear stripes to start conversations to help others learn about the prevalence and challenges of rare diseases. 

Nurses: Learn More About the RN-to-BSN Program

See dates below | Zoom | Register | Join Virginia’s No. 1 RN to BSN, a part-time, executive-format program designed for working nurses ready to tap the personal, professional, and financial benefits of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Courses are taught mostly online with a once-a-month, in-person gathering:

• Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6-7 p.m.
• Friday, March 1 | 10-11 a.m.
• Wednesday, March 13 | 6-7 p.m.

Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Wednesday, March 6 | 7-9 a.m. | Newcomb Hall, 2nd floor | Come for a sit-down meal or grab breakfast and/or a cup of coffee to go. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, oatmeal from the Hoos Well oatmeal bar, and fruit will be served along with vegan and gluten-free options. Catered by the Fresh Food Company. No RSVP required. Free parking available at Central Grounds Parking Garage. 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. Look for the UVA bus displaying Staff Appreciation Breakfast messaging.

Appreciation

Heart Month Shoutout: Urgent Rhythm Clinic 

Atrial fibrillation is responsible for one out of seven strokes and will affect 12.1 million people in the USA by 2030. To help care for these patients, the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine has created an Urgent Rhythm Clinic, which supports patients with cardiac rhythm issues. Cardiac conduction disorders include arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and other conditions. These arrhythmias affect patients' quality of life and places them at risk for stroke and heart failure. 

Championed by Rohit Malhotra, MD, and Lori Lute, AG-ACNP (pictured), the Urgent Rhythm Clinic is an expansion to the electrophysiology subspecialty clinics and will provide improved access to care at a time of rising volumes. The clinic is structured to see new and follow-up arrhythmia patients who have been discharged from the Emergency Department or inpatient service, and from internal and external referrals. The patients are scheduled to be seen in the ambulatory setting as part of value-based care, which focuses on reducing hospital admissions, wait times, and healthcare costs while improving clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. 

The program integrates advanced practice provider resources with MD providers. Clinical outcomes are monitored by national registries. The clinic follows guidelines for directed medical therapy and participates in clinical trials and research.

Thank you to all involved in this program and for caring for these patients in our community!

Friday, Feb. 23

Town Hall Video Replay: Expanding Research Initiatives

If you missed last month’s town hall, here’s a chance to catch up. In the third in a series of five videos, UVA Health leaders discuss “How are we as one UVA Health continuing and growing our scientific legacy and providing the most advanced and innovative treatments and trials to patients across Virginia and beyond?” Watch now.

The discussion was moderated by K. Craig Kent, MD, CEO of UVA Health and included: Marianne Baernholdt, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, Dean, UVA School of Nursing; Wendy Horton, PharmD, Chief Executive Officer, UVA Health University Medical Center; J. Scott Just, MD, Chief Executive Officer, UVA Physicians Group; Melina R. Kibbe, MD, Dean, UVA School of Medicine; and Michelle Strider, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, UVA Community Health. Previously shared:

• “Ensuring Best Outcomes”
• “Building a Workplace of Choice”

Patient Care

MyChart E-Visits Are Coming to Adult Primary Care March 15

Adult primary care providers will have a new tool for helping them manage patient communication via MyChart: E-Visits — are an online visit with a provider where all communication occurs in writing. Providers may offer E-Visits in response to MyChart messages that require more time for review and response to ensure that patients receive the highest level of care. E-Visits are most often used in primary care settings, so the UVA Health rollout of E-Visits will begin with adult primary care on March 15, but other interested departments may request E-Visits by opening an HIT Help Desk ticket. E-Visits are the result of months of collaborative discussion with providers, ambulatory leadership, HIT, revenue cycle, communications, and others. More details — including resources for using E-Visits — are available in this message to providers.

Change to Cefoxitin Ordering Procedure Effective Immediately

To minimize the risk of a wrong-dose error, effective immediately, Cefoxitin 1 g IV is no longer directly orderable from the “Manage Orders” activity in Epic. An order for Cefoxitin IV infusion is still available from “Manage Orders” for both adult and pediatric patients. If Cefoxitin 1 g IV needs to be given by IV push or IM injection, that order is available via the Antibiotic IV Push/IM Injection Panel. If you have questions about this change, please submit a 2Epic ticket.

Operations

TJC Challenge: Look Up!

We need your help! This week, we’re asking all team members to look up at ceiling tiles in their areas and report any damaged, stained, or broken tiles to the Help Desk at 4-2267 or via the customer portal. We appreciate your support in preparing for a successful The Joint Commission (TJC) visit.

Take the PolicyTech Survey

On Feb. 21, the University Medical Center PolicyTech Survey launched. PolicyTech is our agency’s document management system to house institutional policies, procedures, clinical guidelines, and protocol orders. This is a survey that allows everyone to provide feedback on our PolicyTech system to drive improvement. Everyone listed as a user in PolicyTech received an email invitation to participate. The survey is optional. The required task that users received from PolicyTech was a system error. The survey is not a requirement. This has been corrected so you should no longer have a task on your list. If interested, you can access the survey directly. For questions related to the survey, please contact PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.

UVA Health In the News

Top Story

• Wendy Horton is featured in Becker’s Hospital Review discussing creative hiring efforts at UVA Health University Medical Center.

Patient Care

• Dr. Michael Hadler discusses neuromuscular disorders during this week’s NBC29 segment.
• Wendy Horton is featured in Becker’s Hospital Review discussing how pharmacy leaders can become health system leaders.
• Dr. Taison Bell is quoted in a USA Today story on vaccine safety.
• Patrick Watson and Taylor Tereskerz are featured in a WVTF (Virginia NPR affiliate) story on our community paramedicine program.
• Dr. Christopher Holstege talks with the Financial Times about poisonings conducted by the Russian government (non-paywall version of the story).

Research

• Dr. Melina Kibbe talks with CBS19 and NBC29 about the UVA School of Medicine’s strong showing in NIH funding rankings. The story also appears on TV stations across the country, including in Nashville and Tallahassee.
• Dr. Christopher Holstege’s article for The Conversation on a dangerous group of synthetic opioids continues to get strong coverage, including in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Univision (leading Spanish-language U.S. broadcaster).
• Dr. Patrick Jackson is featured in a USA Today fact check story on viruses that cause infectious diseases.
• Dr. Jaideep Kapur’s research on a new potential approach to treating migraines in women is covered locally as well as on TV stations from New York to Idaho.

Community

• Wendy Horton and Beth Mehring are featured on CBS19 and NBC29 as well as TV stations nationally, including Alabama and Mississippi, discussing our Earn While You Learn partnership with Piedmont Virginia Community College.

Education

• Dr. Taison Bell is featured in AAMC News discussing the UVA School of Medicine’s Summer Medical Leadership Program.

Happenings

Rotating Art Exhibit 

Through Thursday, March 21 | University Medical Center lobby | Local Charlottesville artist Mary Jane Check will exhibit her art in the show “Eye Candy.” Stop by and check it out! (Pictured: “Black Tea.” Oil on panel.)

Summer: Teen Volunteer Opportunity

Do you know a teen ages 14-18 who wants to volunteer this summer? Learn details and fill out an interest form for the eight-week Charlottesville Medical Center Summer High School Junior Volunteer Program. Visit Volunteer Services for more information. If you work in a University Medical Center department/area and are interested in having Junior Volunteers assist with tasks in your area, please email Maureen Oswald.

Why We Choose Dialogue: An Israeli and a Palestinian Share Their Stories of Loss and Wish for Peace

Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 2-3 p.m. | Newcomb Hall, Commonwealth Room | A Palestinian and an Israeli who have lost family members in the conflict will tell their personal stories of bereavement and explain their choice to engage in dialogue. Presented by the Parents Circle-Families Forum, a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of more than 700 bereaved families. Sponsored by the Provost’s Office, and facilitated by Tanya Denckla Cobb, Director, Institute for Engagement & Negotiation, and Lecturer, School of Architecture.

Show Your Stripes on Rare Disease Day

Thursday, Feb. 29 | Rare Disease Day is an internationally recognized day and initiative to raise awareness, generate support and advocate for care and treatments for the 300 million people globally. The zebra is the official mascot for rare disease patients. Historically, medical professionals were told that when they “hear hoofbeats,” they should not expect to see a zebra. In other words, look for the more common answer, a horse. Today, we know that 1 in 10 Americans is a zebra! It’s not always obvious to recognize or diagnose a person with a rare disease (a zebra). As a result, this can cause a delay in care and often negatively impacts a person’s quality of life or life expectancy. On Feb. 29, use #ShowYourStripes on social media and wear stripes to start conversations to help others learn about the prevalence and challenges of rare diseases. 

Annual Conference of Liver Disease and Gastroenterology

Saturday, March 2 | 7 a.m.-4:10 p.m. | Boar's Head Inn | This conference is designed to provide general and gastroenterology physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers the opportunity to learn about and discuss the advances in the diagnosis and treatment of liver and GI disease. Registration is open through Feb. 25. Learn more and register. Questions? Contact sonce@virginia.edu.

BSF-ERG Awards Luncheon and Call for Nominations

Thursday, April 25 | noon-2 p.m. | Newcomb Hall, Commonwealth Room | RSVP by April 19 | 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: Friday, March 8 | The BFS-ERG is seeking nominations for the Armstead Robinson Faculty Recognition Award and the Lincoln Vernon Lewis Staff Recognition Award. Nominate.

Appreciation | Special Double Edition!

Heart Month Shoutout: Hilary Cooper

Hilary Cooper, RT(R), Cardiovascular Technologist, is celebrating 42 years at UVA Health and over 36 years in the UVA Cardiac Cath Lab. Cooper began working at UVA Health in 1980, and his career has witnessed the evolution of coronary intervention and the dawn of coronary stenting, which began in the mid-1990s. He has been part of numerous UVA firsts, including the first coronary atherectomy case with Michael Ragosta, MD, (1993) and the first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) case with Dr. Ragosta and Scott Lim, MD (2008). 

During Cooper’s career at UVA Health, he and the Cath Lab team were instrumental in opening Cath Labs at Augusta Health, Rockingham Memorial Hospital, and Martha Jefferson Hospital. The team supported these hospitals and their communities by providing staffing and training to pan fluoroscopy and image coronary arteries, among other patient care.

Cooper is an expert resource, both for his co-workers and physicians. He is routinely consulted for his knowledge, experience, and perspective. Cooper budgets his feedback to staff — he comments on things that require commenting, yet is generous with encouragement. He is a resource for staff, not only because of his extensive knowledge and experience, but also because he is approachable and eager to help team members deliver safe and proficient care. 

The cardiovascular technologist position has afforded him the unique opportunity to work “elbow-to-elbow” with attendings and fellows, and he is frequently consulted for his opinion on patient care and equipment decisions. Cooper has mentored and helped shape many team members’ and physicians’ careers. All current UVA Health-trained interventional attendings have trained as a fellow with Cooper by their side. The positive impact of working with him cannot be understated!

‘The Best Medical Team’ | Kudos for Our UVA Health Colleagues

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

• “If I could rate Stephanie Stewart and the other nurse (Robin, maybe — I cannot remember, but Stephanie knows) a million stars, I totally would! They were so sincere, understanding, helpful, kind, and very knowledgeable. My daughter did not like the IV and they were gentle with her during the steps and gave her explanations a 6-year-old could understand.”
• “Sheeba was especially pleasant and a delight to be in the presence of. We talked as if we had known one another for years. I enjoyed my time in pre-op. The ladies in post-op were equally as pleasurable. The transfer process from recovery went smoothly. I couldn't have ordered a better team.”
• “Keep up the great work! I particularly enjoyed the oncology massage performed by Jane, the massage therapist. She was compassionate and experienced. I'm so thankful for Jane and the service provided to oncology patients free of charge!”
• “We traveled from Florida for this visit. Dr. Copland, his fellows, nutritionist Julia Warren, and coordinator Stephanie Curcio make the best medical team I've ever dealt with. And I've been through a lot!”

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

Wednesday, Feb. 21

Forbes Ranks UVA Health Among Top 25 Health Systems Nationally

National business publication Forbes has ranked UVA Health among America’s best large employers and among the top 25 large health system employers nationally.

UVA Health ranked No. 117 overall and No. 24 among health systems in Forbes’ 2024 ranking of America’s Best Large Employers, and was the only Virginia-based health system named to the list. Through a partnership with market research firm Statista, employees at companies with more than 5,000 workers were surveyed. Among other things, they were asked if they would recommend their employer to prospective employees. Read more on Connect.

Ambulatory

January Ambulatory Progress Report Now Available

2024 is off to a fast start in Ambulatory! Get the latest updates in the January Ambulatory Operations Progress Report. Highlights include two successful One Team | United on Access go-lives for adult and pediatric primary care, an update to faculty members and other providers on key issues related to One Team, and what’s next for the Ambulatory Role Delineation project.

Patient Care

MyChart E-Visits Are Coming to Adult Primary Care March 15

Adult primary care providers will have a new tool for helping them manage patient communication via MyChart: E-Visits — are an online visit with a provider where all communication occurs in writing. Providers may offer E-Visits in response to MyChart messages that require more time for review and response to ensure that patients receive the highest level of care. E-Visits are most often used in primary care settings, so the UVA Health rollout of E-Visits will begin with adult primary care on March 15, but other interested departments may request E-Visits by opening an HIT Help Desk ticket. E-Visits are the result of months of collaborative discussion with providers, ambulatory leadership, HIT, revenue cycle, communications, and others. More details — including resources for using E-Visits — are available in this message to providers.

Change to Cefoxitin Ordering Procedure Effective Immediately

To minimize the risk of a wrong-dose error, effective immediately, Cefoxitin 1 g IV is no longer directly orderable from the “Manage Orders” activity in Epic. An order for Cefoxitin IV infusion is still available from “Manage Orders” for both adult and pediatric patients. If Cefoxitin 1 g IV needs to be given by IV push or IM injection, that order is available via the Antibiotic IV Push/IM Injection Panel. If you have questions about this change, please submit a 2Epic ticket.

Operations

Take the PolicyTech Survey

Closes Wednesday, March 6 | Your feedback on PolicyTech is needed! Please complete this quick survey (approximately 3 minutes) to help us improve our PolicyTech system. If you have trouble accessing the survey, please contact PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.

TJC Challenge: Look Up!

We need your help! This week, we’re asking all team members to look up at ceiling tiles in their areas and report any damaged, stained, or broken tiles to the Help Desk at 4-2267 or via the customer portal. We appreciate your support in preparing for a successful The Joint Commission (TJC) visit.

Leadership

University Medical Center CEO Blog | Strengthening Our Foundation: Investing in UVA Health University Medical Center

In her new Vision and Voice post, Wendy Horton shares how we're supporting our team members and improving patient care through internal investments like the new Mother and Baby Unit. Read more.

Happenings

Heart Month Food Drive in Honor of Dr. Lew Lipson

Through Thursday, Feb. 29 | Drop off locations will be throughout the Heart & Vascular Center (Cath Lab, CTU, OR, F 500 Cardiology, CV Surgery and PCC Cardiology Clinics, 2nd floor F 400, and UVA Health Augusta/Fishersville Cardiology Clinic). Most needed items include: low sodium canned soup, stew, chili; low sodium canned vegetables; low sugar whole grain cereal; low sugar peanut and almond butter; boxed macaroni and cheese; whole grain rice and pasta; canned tuna and chicken; paper products; baby food, formula, and diapers; soap and feminine products; and toothbrushes. Sponsored by the Cath Lab, CTU, and ambulatory clinics. Donate online.

Summer: Teen Volunteer Opportunity

Do you know a teen ages 14-18 who wants to volunteer this summer? Learn details and fill out an interest form for the eight-week Charlottesville Medical Center Summer High School Junior Volunteer Program. Visit Volunteer Services for more information. If you work in a University Medical Center department/area and are interested in having Junior Volunteers assist with tasks in your area, please email Maureen Oswald.

Hope in the Fight Against Blood Cancers

Thursday, Feb. 22 | 12:30-1:45 p.m. | Zoom | Learn how UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center is transforming the treatment of blood cancers and giving new hope to patients. Hear firsthand from internationally renowned UVA Health doctors and scientists who are increasing our understanding of these devastating diseases and improving outcomes. Zoom link will be e-mailed to registrants the morning of the event. Register.

Nursing Education: Promoting Best Practices in Dementia Care

Thursday, Feb. 22 | 4-5 p.m. | Zoom | Marion Kyner, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, NCCDP, UVA School of Nursing Clinical Instructor, Longwood University Nursing Adjunct Faculty, Dementia Practitioner, Consultant and Independent Certified PAC Trainer and Coach, discusses promoting best practices in dementia care. Learn more.

Nominate an RN for a Nursing Excellence Award

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 22 | The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors several nurses each year for demonstrating excellence in their roles. Award recipients are selected on the basis of 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.

Last Call | Spark Innovation Competition

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 29 | UVA Health is excited for the second round of the Spark innovation and ideas competition, which will help bring your great ideas to life. Think of the last time you said, “What if …” or “If only …” Share those thoughts and ideas through the Spark website. This round of the competition has a focus on our research environment. UVA Health wants to hear ideas from every part of the health system. Disrupt the norm, create positive change, and submit your ideas for a chance to win $1,000. Learn more. 

Annual Conference of Liver Disease and Gastroenterology

Saturday, March 2 | 7 a.m.-4:10 p.m. | Boar's Head Inn | This conference is designed to provide general and gastroenterology physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers the opportunity to learn about and discuss the advances in the diagnosis and treatment of liver and GI disease. Registration is open through Feb. 25. Learn more and register. Questions? Contact sonce@virginia.edu.

Women's History Month | SOM Student Stories: A Panel Discussion

Thursday, March 7 | 7-8 p.m. | Zoom | RSVP | School of Medicine Student Stories series offers an opportunity for exceptional student leaders to share more about their educational journeys, future aspirations, and experiences they’ve had navigating their way into medical and doctoral programs. Featured panelists include (pictured, l-r) Kendall Bromley (PhD student, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics), Hirra Chaundhary (medical student), Dana May (PhD student, Neuroscience Graduate Program), and Laiba Murad (medical student). 

Appreciation

In Service of Others

Virginia Health Information (VHI) and PointClickCare are honoring UVA Health’s Teresa Radford, BSN, CMSRN, Clinical Program Coordinator, Medicine HOME Program, as 2023 Collaborative Champion.

UVA Health uses a PointClickCare portal that alerts providers, including Medicine HOME, when their patients are admitted to any emergency department or hospital in the 40 states that participate. Radford ensures each patient has an individualized care plan (ICP) in this portal, so other entities know how to provide care. Radford, who also earned UVA Health’s Leonard Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Award and two DAISY Awards, was surprised with the latest recognition at the recent Care Collaborative Conference in Richmond.

“It’s indeed an honor to receive recognition for our Medicine HOME Program team’s collaborative efforts focused upon improving communication and care planning among UVA Health, our sister institutions, and community partners,” says Radford. “In keeping with UVA Health’s strategic plan and mission — we remain committed to the service of others and to striving to provide outstanding and accessible healthcare.“

“Teresa and the Medicine HOME Program team are highly engaged in ensuring UVA Health patients are covered through this health information exchange, no matter where they receive care. Effective communication and ICPs make a difference. Thank you for all you do!” says Novella Thompson, MBA candidate, MA, ALM-C, FACHE, Administrator, Population Health, who served on a panel at the conference.

Pictured above is the Medicine HOME Program team. From left: Amy Luu; Jack Hooppaw; Radford; Miriam Gomez-Sanchez, MD; Amber Inofuentes, MD; and Mary Wade (not pictured, Guy Lushin).

Monday, Feb. 19

Switchgear Power Outages

Monday, Feb. 19, through Tuesday, Feb. 27 | University Hospital | An electrical upgrade will be performed intermittently during overnight shifts impacting power supply only to normal power receptacles and normal power lighting. These outages mostly affect University Hospital, including patient towers and Lee Street Garage — they do not affect the South Tower, South Addition, or operating rooms. Affected equipment includes dietary and laundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, copy machines, desktop computers, and pumps and fans not on emergency power. Pre-outage considerations: 

• Outage dates, times, and affected areas: Check out this chart on Connect.
• Staff: Please ensure corded equipment that needs to be on emergency power is on emergency power (red or identified) receptacles.
• Department managers:
  • Please alert overnight staff when receiving outage communications, which includes outage maps of areas affected.
  • For corded equipment needed for patient care on normal power that cannot be without power for three to four hours: please share this information with the Health System Physical Plant Electric (Todd Gibson) and outage coordinator (Scott Guynes) so preparations can be made.
• Facilities/outage coordinator: To avoid issues, a walk-through will be made to each area, both prior to the outage and during the first few minutes of the outage.

Questions? Contact Scott Guynes, Senior Construction Administration Manager, at 434.282.3794.

Ambulatory

January Ambulatory Progress Report Now Available

2024 is off to a fast start in Ambulatory! Get the latest updates in the January Ambulatory Operations Progress Report. Highlights include two successful One Team | United on Access go-lives for adult and pediatric primary care, an update to faculty members and other providers on key issues related to One Team, and what’s next for the Ambulatory Role Delineation project.

Patient Care

Heart Month Shoutout: 7 Quick Questions With Cardiologist Chad Hoyt, MD

As a cardiologist, Chad A. Hoyt, MD, specializes in caring for people with heart disease. He has a special interest in advanced cardiovascular imaging. For Dr. Hoyt, providing the best care possible means treating patients like family. "My patients become my friends," he says. "I make every effort to get to know many of their personal details. And take the time needed to chat with them. I try to focus on more than just their physical needs." Read more on Connect.

Operations

Under Repair: 11th Street Parking Garage

Monday, Feb 19, through end of June | Structural repairs will be ongoing in the 11th Street Parking Garage and continuing through June. This will affect team members, patients, and visitors. Traffic patterns will be modified temporarily. Drivers should use caution when entering and exiting the garage, stay alert, and follow directions from signage and flaggers. This work may cause delays in parking.

• Permit holders who will be parking in 11th Street Garage: Due to possible delays, please plan to arrive early for scheduled shifts. 
• All team members: Please share this information with our patients and visitors, and remind them to allow extra time to park and plan to arrive early for scheduled appointments. 

Questions? Contact Andy Theobald, Project Manager.

Help Patients and Families Give Back to UVA Health

Now is the perfect time to explore the UVA Health Foundation’s peer-to-peer fundraising platform. The Get Involved platform enables patients, families, and community members to create personalized fundraising pages to support any area within UVA Health that is meaningful to them. Pages can celebrate the memory of a loved one, honor a caregiver, raise donations in conjunction with an event, and more. It includes email templates, allows users to create teams, and is easily shareable on social media. This resource provides an easy way to support research, clinical care, education, community outreach, or other areas at UVA Health. 

See how community members like Hannah Lipscomb have raised funds and awareness for life-changing causes. If you are a UVA Health faculty or staff member interested in using the platform, read the Faculty & Staff Fundraising Page Guidelines. Questions? Contact get-involved@virginia.edu.

Human Resources

Supporting Administrators: Two New Programs

UVA understands that effective administrators make impactful contributions across all levels of our University and that keeping skills fresh in the field is critical. The School of Continuing and Professional Studies is pleased to offer two new programs that support administrators.

• Research Administration Program for Higher Education Professionals
• Higher Education Program for Executive Level Assistants (HEPELA)

Both programs have been developed with the busy lives of working adults in mind. Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded a digital badge as proof of their skills. Each program costs $2,000 and can be funded using UVA education benefits from 2024 and 2025. Questions? Contact scpsinquiry@virginia.edu.

Happenings

Heart Month Food Drive in Honor of Dr. Lew Lipson

Through Thursday, Feb. 29 | Drop off locations will be throughout the Heart & Vascular Center (Cath Lab, CTU, OR, F 500 Cardiology, CV Surgery and PCC Cardiology Clinics, 2nd floor F 400, and UVA Health Augusta/Fishersville Cardiology Clinic). Most needed items include: low sodium canned soup, stew, chili; low sodium canned vegetables; low sugar whole grain cereal; low sugar peanut and almond butter; boxed macaroni and cheese; whole grain rice and pasta; canned tuna and chicken; paper products; baby food, formula, and diapers; soap and feminine products; and toothbrushes. Sponsored by the Cath Lab, CTU, and ambulatory clinics. Donate online.

Summer: Teen Volunteer Opportunity

Do you know a teen ages 14-18 who wants to volunteer this summer? Learn details and fill out an interest form for the eight-week Charlottesville Medical Center Summer High School Junior Volunteer Program. Visit Volunteer Services for more information. If you work in a University Medical Center department/area and are interested in having Junior Volunteers assist with tasks in your area, please email Maureen Oswald.

2024 Black History Month | Racial Healing: The Heart of Racial Equity 

• My Story, My Voice | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 11 a.m.-noon | Medical Education Building 1110 | Registration required for virtual | Guest speaker Gene Cash, LCSW, LISW-S, CEO, Executive Director, Counseling Alliance of Virginia, addresses racial awareness and sensitivity and shares his academic/career journey, mileposts, new learnings, and recommended best practices and benchmarks. My Story, My Voice focuses on leading experts — outside of UVA Health — in healthcare, mental health, restorative justice, and DEI.
• Diversity Dialogue With Dr. Downs | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | noon-1 p.m. | Medical Education Building 1110 | Registration required for virtual | Gene Cash joins Tracy Downs, MD, FACS, UVA Health Chief Diversity and Community Engagement Officer, for a discussion facilitated by Melody Pannell, UVA Health Director of Diversity and Community Engagement.
• Community Conversations: Growing Up in Charlottesville | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, 105 Lankford Ave. | Co-facilitated by UVA Health’s Jackie Martin, Director of Community Partnerships and Health Equity, and Melody Pannell, Director of Diversity and Community Engagement. 
• DEI Book of the Month Discussion | Monday, Feb. 26 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual, Registration required | Kimberley Barker, Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, and Melody Pannell, UVA Health Director of Diversity and Community Engagement, facilitate discussion of “The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing.” 
• TO BE RESCHEDULED: Trauma and Race: A Path to Wellbeing | Wednesday, Feb. 28
  • Author Spotlight | 2-3 p.m. | Medical Education Building 3110 | Reverend Dr. Micah McCreary, President, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Jersey; author, “Trauma and Race: A Path to Wellbeing,” about trauma-informed counseling for racially traumatized African (Black), Latino/a/x, Asian, and Native (Indigenous) Americans (ALANAs).
  • Book Signing | 3-4 p.m. | Claude Moore Health Sciences Library lobby

ROSE Program: Drop Off or Pick Up Reusable Office Supplies

Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Medical Center Dining Conference Rooms 1 and 2 | Reusable Office Supply Exchange (ROSE) Program is a free service that collects new or gently used office supplies. Drop off office supplies or take what you need monthly. 

Unseen: How People of Faith Mend and Uplift Lives

Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 6 p.m. | Rotunda Dome Room | UVA President Jim Ryan, Abundant Life Ministries’ Eddie Howard, and Cato Institute’s Walter Olson describe how their lives were transformed by people and organizations motivated by faith. Sponsored by The Blue Ridge Center.

Medical Center Hour | The Care of Foreigners

Wednesday, Feb. 21 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Eram Alam, PhD, Assistant Professor in the History of Science Department, Harvard University, discusses how COVID-19 made apparent a major deficit in the U.S. healthcare system: physician supply was unequal to medical care demand. Moderated by Dominique Tobbell, PhD, Professor and Director of the Eleanor Crowder Bjoring, Center for Nursing Historical Inquiry, UVA.

Nominate an RN for a Nursing Excellence Award

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 22 | The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors several nurses each year for demonstrating excellence in their roles. Award recipients are selected on the basis of 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.

Hope in the Fight Against Blood Cancers

Thursday, Feb. 22 | 12:30-1:45 p.m. | Zoom | Learn how UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center is transforming the treatment of blood cancers and giving new hope to patients. Hear firsthand from internationally renowned UVA Health doctors and scientists who are increasing our understanding of these devastating diseases and improving outcomes. Zoom link will be e-mailed to registrants the morning of the event. Register.

Nursing Education: Promoting Best Practices in Dementia Care

Thursday, Feb. 22 | 4-5 p.m. | Zoom | Marion Kyner, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, NCCDP, UVA School of Nursing Clinical Instructor, Longwood University Nursing Adjunct Faculty, Dementia Practitioner, Consultant and Independent Certified PAC Trainer and Coach, discusses promoting best practices in dementia care. Learn more.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor, Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers: get a new or updated headshot taken in 10 minutes or less on dates listed below. No appointment needed. Bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Friday, Feb. 23 | 8-11 a.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 6 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Monday, March 11 | 8 -11 a.m.
• Thursday, March 21 | 1:30-4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 26 | 9 a.m.-noon

Annual Conference of Liver Disease and Gastroenterology

Saturday, March 2 | 7 a.m.-4:10 p.m. | Boar's Head Inn | This conference is designed to provide general and gastroenterology physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers the opportunity to learn about and discuss the advances in the diagnosis and treatment of liver and GI disease. Registration is open through Feb. 25. Learn more and register. Questions? Contact sonce@virginia.edu.

Appreciation

Heart Month Shoutout: Heritable Aneurysm and Arteriopathy Program 

The Department of Cardiovascular Medicine has developed a new clinic that supports patients who have complex vascular connective tissue disease, heritable aneurysms, and arteriopathies. 

The Heritable Aneurysm and Arteriopathy Program provides services to patients across Virginia and neighboring states. It seeks to expand the footprint of vascular medicine in response to growing volumes of patients with complex, life threatening, and vascular disorders. Its goal is to provide a value-based solution that focuses on improving quality outcomes, and patient safety and patient education/self-care efficacy; reduce hospital readmissions, complication rates, wait times, and healthcare costs; and become a regional and national leader in complex vascular disease.  

Championed by Randy K. Ramcharitar, MD, this program will integrate pharmacy and advanced practice provider resources to support future growth, participate in clinic research trials (adding to the body of knowledge in vascular medicine), and benchmark with national registries. It’ll also serve to reduce racial, gender, socioeconomic, and ethnic disparities for patients; morbidity and mortality; unplanned surgical procedures by early assessment and management; and 30-day readmissions for patients with the principal diagnosis of heritable aneurysms, fibromuscular dysplasia, arteriopathy, and vascular connective tissue disease. The program will provide early post hospital discharge follow-up and will improve clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. 

This Heart Month, we’d like to give a special thank you to all involved with this program who are taking such excellent care of our patients.

Friday, Feb. 16

Switchgear Power Outages

Monday, Feb. 19, through Tuesday, Feb. 27 | University Hospital | An electrical upgrade will be performed intermittently during overnight shifts impacting power supply only to normal power receptacles and normal power lighting. These outages mostly affect University Hospital, including patient towers and Lee Street Garage — they do not affect the South Tower, South Addition, or operating rooms. Affected equipment includes dietary and laundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, copy machines, desktop computers, and pumps and fans not on emergency power. Pre-outage considerations: 

• Outage dates, times, and affected areas: Check out this chart on Connect.
• Staff: Please ensure corded equipment that needs to be on emergency power is on emergency power (red or identified) receptacles.
• Department managers:
  • Please alert overnight staff when receiving outage communications, which includes outage maps of areas affected.
  • For corded equipment needed for patient care on normal power that cannot be without power for three to four hours: please share this information with the Health System Physical Plant Electric (Todd Gibson) and outage coordinator (Scott Guynes) so preparations can be made.
• Facilities/outage coordinator: To avoid issues, a walk-through will be made to each area, both prior to the outage and during the first few minutes of the outage.

Questions? Contact Scott Guynes, Senior Construction Administration Manager, at 434.282.3794.

Operations

Winter Storm Anticipated on Friday Evening Into Saturday

Weather forecasts are predicting a winter storm to have potential impacts to our region beginning Friday evening and into Saturday morning. During this time, the National Weather Service is forecasting low temperatures and some snow accumulation. For updates, refer to the latest Emergency Management emails, the UVA Health Status Board, or Connect.

Tune in to the Nightingale Channel

UVA Health is partnering to launch a new arts initiative, The Nightingale Channel, to bring classical and chamber music to our patients, team members, and guests — inspiring hope and wellness for all. Accessed through a QR code, this new offering provides a well-curated collection of intimate concerts, including Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven. Learn more. (Note: To access the link, you must be on a UVA Health network or using VPN.)

Leadership

Town Hall Video Replay: Building a Workplace of Choice

If you missed last month’s town hall, here’s a chance to catch up. In the second in a series of five videos, UVA Health leaders discuss “How are we as one UVA Health striving to meet our vision of building the best UVA Health workforce of the future and becoming a best place to work?” Watch now.

The discussion was moderated by K. Craig Kent, MD, CEO of UVA Health and included: Marianne Baernholdt, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, Dean, UVA School of Nursing; Wendy Horton, PharmD, Chief Executive Officer, UVA Health University Medical Center; J. Scott Just, MD, Chief Executive Officer, UVA Physicians Group; Melina R. Kibbe, MD, Dean, UVA School of Medicine; and Michelle Strider, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, UVA Community Health. Stay tuned for more video clips in the coming weeks!

• Previously shared: “Ensuring Best Outcomes”

UVA Health in the News

Top Story of the Week

• Dr. Craig Kent and Rebekah Compton talk with Becker’s Hospital Review about needle-moving innovations.

Patient Care

• Dr. Michael Valentine discusses how to protect your heart health during this week’s NBC29 segment.
• UVA Health is named one of America’s best large employers by Forbes.
• Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton talks with U.S. News & World Report about at-home menopause tests.
• Dr. Ann Kellams and Richard Westphal’s media briefing on our national award for a healthy clinical work environment is covered locally and on TV stations across the U.S., including Mississippi and Maine. 

Research

• The UVA School of Medicine’s strong showing in NIH funding rankings is highlighted by CBS19 and the Augusta Free Press. (An NBC29 interview with Dr. Melina Kibbe will be shared in next week’s report.)
• Dr. Christopher Holstege’s article for The Conversation on a dangerous group of synthetic opioids is featured in news outlets nationally, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, and Yahoo.
• Research from Dr. Bishal Paudel — helping identify high-risk leukemia patients — is featured on WFXR (Roanoke TV) and Yahoo.
• Dr. Costi Sifri talks with NBC12 (Richmond TV) about potential changes to the CDC’s COVID isolation guidelines.

Community

• Wendy Horton is featured locally and on TV stations nationally, including Idaho and Iowa, discussing our Change 4 Children fundraiser with Panera Bread. 

Education

• Orthopedic surgery resident Dr. Vaibhav R. Tadepalli talks with Healio about a new study discussing how asymptomatic COVID affects outcomes for patients receiving hip or knee replacements.

Happenings

Summer: Teen Volunteer Opportunity

Do you know a teen ages 14-18 who wants to volunteer this summer? Learn details and fill out an interest form for the eight-week Charlottesville Medical Center Summer High School Junior Volunteer Program. Visit Volunteer Services for more information. If you work in a University Medical Center department/area and are interested in having Junior Volunteers assist with tasks in your area, please email Maureen Oswald.

Nominate: 2023 Sustainability Leadership Awards

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 16 | 5 p.m. | This award honors those who exhibit a commitment to advancing sustainability practices and solutions. Nominations are welcome for students and groups; staff and departments; faculty and departments; and community members or groups.

ROSE Program: Drop Off or Pick Up Reusable Office Supplies

Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Medical Center Dining Conference Rooms 1 and 2 | Reusable Office Supply Exchange (ROSE) Program is a free service that collects new or gently used office supplies. Drop off office supplies or take what you need monthly. 

Unseen: How People of Faith Mend and Uplift Lives

Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 6 p.m. | Rotunda Dome Room | UVA President Jim Ryan, Abundant Life Ministries’ Eddie Howard, and Cato Institute’s Walter Olson describe how their lives were transformed by people and organizations motivated by faith. Sponsored by The Blue Ridge Center.

Medical Center Hour | The Care of Foreigners

Wednesday, Feb. 21 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Eram Alam, PhD, Assistant Professor in the History of Science Department, Harvard University, discusses how COVID-19 made apparent a major deficit in the U.S. healthcare system: physician supply was unequal to medical care demand. Moderated by Dominique Tobbell, PhD, Professor and Director of the Eleanor Crowder Bjoring, Center for Nursing Historical Inquiry, UVA.

Nominate an RN for a Nursing Excellence Award

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 22 | The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors several nurses each year for demonstrating excellence in their roles. Award recipients are selected on the basis of 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.

Hope in the Fight Against Blood Cancers

Thursday, Feb. 22 | 12:30-1:45 p.m. | Zoom | Learn how UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center is transforming the treatment of blood cancers and giving new hope to patients. Hear firsthand from internationally renowned UVA Health doctors and scientists who are increasing our understanding of these devastating diseases and improving outcomes. Zoom link will be e-mailed to registrants the morning of the event. Register.

Nursing Education: Promoting Best Practices in Dementia Care

Thursday, Feb. 22 | 4-5 p.m. | Zoom | Marion Kyner, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, NCCDP, UVA School of Nursing Clinical Instructor, Longwood University Nursing Adjunct Faculty, Dementia Practitioner, Consultant and Independent Certified PAC Trainer and Coach, discusses promoting best practices in dementia care. Learn more.

2024 Heart Failure Symposium

Saturday, Feb. 24 | 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 in order to improve care delivery and outcomes for this population in both specialized settings as well as across the continuum of care. Registration closes Sunday, Feb. 18. Learn more. 

BSF-ERG Awards Luncheon and Call for Nominations

Thursday, April 25 | noon-2 p.m. | Newcomb Hall, Commonwealth Room | RSVP by April 19 | 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: Friday, March 8 | The BFS-ERG is seeking nominations for the Armstead Robinson Faculty Recognition Award and the Lincoln Vernon Lewis Staff Recognition Award. Nominate.

Save the Date: Annual Team Member Art Exhibit

July 11-Sept. 11 | Many team members have expressed interest about the annual Team Member Art Exhibit. This year, the exhibit will run from July to September. Watch this space in May for participation details. We look forward to seeing your art!

Appreciation

‘Trusted Friends’ | Kudos for Our UVA Health Colleagues

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

• “This was my first visit to UVA Health Surgical Care Riverside Main OR. Very impressive! The entire staff was very friendly and efficient. The location was near my home, convenient. Dr. Olsakovsky is absolutely the best! Going to this facility for this relatively easy surgery was perfect for me.“
• “The midwife team at UVA Health made me feel so well-cared for and confident in my birthing process. They are supportive, caring, and knowledgeable. They felt more like trusted friends than clinical practitioners, which made me feel infinitely more comfortable during a very stressful time. I would highly recommend this team and hope that these kudos are passed along!”
• “As soon as I was taken to 5 Central, I immediately saw Mousumi Franks, RN. I had her before and she is wonderful, caring, compassionate and an awesome nurse. She made my stay great for just having surgery. She is one-of-a-kind!”
• “My surgery performed by Dr. James Brown and his team to replace my right hip went as well as I can possibly imagine. Every aspect of the experience beginning before, during, and afterwards so far has been extremely professional, thorough, and courteous. My calls were returned as soon as they could be and my questions were thoroughly answered. … The entire experience has surpassed my expectations and I have the greatest appreciation for the care and procedure I received at your orthopedic clinic. Dr. Brown, his PA Chad Wilson, and the entire staff are the best.”

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

Wednesday, Feb. 14

UVA Health Launches ASPIRE Newsletter to Inform Team Members, Patients

In an effort to showcase how UVA Health’s mission and values are coming to life through the everyday actions of our team members, UVA Health is launching ASPIRE, a quarterly newsletter that will be printed and distributed across multiple locations throughout the health system.

Featuring articles about team members, patient services, and the implementation of our 10-year strategic plan, ASPIRE looks to connect with audiences around how we are impacting the lives of our patients and each other. View the first issue.

UVA Health’s ASPIRE newsletter has launched Feb. 14, during ASPIRE Day, a systemwide event for all team members to come together to show our ASPIRE values some love. UVA Health leaders are on hand today at hosted tables across the system for conversation, candy, giveaways — and to share the first edition of ASPIRE! Read more on Connect.

Happy ASPIRE Day! 

Today, UVA Health is celebrating ASPIRE Day across the health system. There is no better day than Valentine’s Day to show our values some love! ASPIRE DAY is a great opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to living our values and contributing to making UVA Health a best place to work for everyone. Spread the love by sending an e-card to a colleague you appreciate at a different location! Download cards here: Accountability, Stewardship, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Equity. 

University Medical Center CEO Blog | What Is ASPIRE Day?

In her new Vision and Voice post, Wendy Horton discusses ASPIRE Day and how this Valentine's Day tradition got started. Read more.

Operations

Connect Removes IP Filter, Goes Public

For 11 years, UVA Health’s internal news site Connect has maintained restricted access. Team members could access the content only if they were on a UVA Health network or using a virtual private network (VPN). Today, that’s changed. We’ve removed the internet protocol (IP) filter from the site for most stories, allowing easier access to Connect's content. From time to time, you may see a padlock icon in the upper-right corner of a story on the homepage of Connect. This graphic indicates that the story has been published behind a login on KnowledgeLink. If you’re logged in, you will be brought directly to these stories; if not, you’ll be asked to provide your UVA Health login credentials.

Thank you to all of our team members for the great work they do and in allowing us to share their stories among UVA Health colleagues and (now) beyond. Questions? Contact Brian Murphy, Manager, Internal Communications (Channels and Content), Office of Strategic Marketing & Communications.

New CBL: Preventing Theft and Unauthorized Access in University Medical Center

In this computer-based learning module (CBL) in Workday, learn why it is important to secure belongings and prevent unauthorized access for the safety of our team members, patients, and visitors. Examines safety risks and liability, examples of unauthorized access, and what prevention measures we can take.

8 West Expands

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 8 West will open as a 15-bed unit for mother/baby or antepartum care. These beds will mirror the patient population and care provided on 8 Central. After 8W opens, 8 North will begin construction to open as a 12-bed NICU.

Rescheduled: Switchgear Power Outages

Monday, Feb. 19, through Tuesday, Feb. 27 | University Hospital | An electrical upgrade will be performed intermittently during overnight shifts impacting power supply only to normal power receptacles and normal power lighting. These outages mostly affect University Hospital, including patient towers and Lee Street Garage — they do not affect the South Tower, South Addition, or operating rooms. Affected equipment includes dietary and laundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, copy machines, desktop computers, and pumps and fans not on emergency power. Pre-outage considerations: 

• Outage dates, times, and affected areas: Check out this chart on Connect.
• Staff: Please ensure corded equipment that needs to be on emergency power is on emergency power (red or identified) receptacles.
• Department managers:
  • Please alert overnight staff when receiving outage communications, which includes outage maps of areas affected.
  • For corded equipment needed for patient care on normal power that cannot be without power for three to four hours: please share this information with the Health System Physical Plant Electric (Todd Gibson) and outage coordinator (Scott Guynes) so preparations can be made.
• Facilities/outage coordinator: To avoid issues, a walk-through will be made to each area, both prior to the outage and during the first few minutes of the outage.

Questions? Contact Scott Guynes, Senior Construction Administration Manager, at 434.282.3794.

Happenings

Heart Month Food Drive in Honor of Dr. Lew Lipson

Through Thursday, Feb. 29 | Drop off locations will be throughout the Heart & Vascular Center (Cath Lab, CTU, OR, F 500 Cardiology, CV Surgery and PCC Cardiology Clinics, 2nd floor F 400, and UVA Health Augusta/Fishersville Cardiology Clinic). Most needed items include: low sodium canned soup, stew, chili; low sodium canned vegetables; low sugar whole grain cereal; low sugar peanut and almond butter; boxed macaroni and cheese; whole grain rice and pasta; canned tuna and chicken; paper products; baby food, formula, and diapers; soap and feminine products; and toothbrushes. Sponsored by the Cath Lab, CTU, and ambulatory clinics. Donate online.

Summer: Teen Volunteer Opportunity

Do you know a teen ages 14-18 who wants to volunteer this summer? Learn details and fill out an interest form for the eight-week Charlottesville Medical Center Summer High School Junior Volunteer Program. Visit Volunteer Services for more information. If you work in a University Medical Center department/area and are interested in having Junior Volunteers assist with tasks in your area, please email Maureen Oswald.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor, Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers: get a new or updated headshot taken in 10 minutes or less on dates listed below. No appointment needed. Bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Thursday, Feb. 15 | 7-10 a.m.
• Friday, Feb. 23 | 8-11 a.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Nurses: Learn More About the RN-to-BSN Program

See dates below | Zoom | Register | Join Virginia’s No. 1 RN to BSN, a part-time, executive-format program designed for working nurses ready to tap the personal, professional, and financial benefits of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Courses are taught mostly online with a once-a-month, in-person gathering:

• Thursday, Feb. 15 | 10-11 a.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6-7 p.m.
• Friday, March 1 | 10-11 a.m.
• Wednesday, March 13 | 6-7 p.m.

Nominate: John T. Casteen III Diversity-Equity-Inclusion Leadership Award

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 16 | This award honors University community members who best demonstrate exemplary leadership in the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion at UVA or in the local community. Learn more and nominate.

UVA Schwartz Center Rounds: What Is a Beloved Community?

Friday, Feb. 16 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium | When a patient spends her entire, two-year life in the hospital, how does that impact the care team and what can they take away from the experience? Panelists include Michelle Adu-Darko, MD; Nancy Glass, PT; Jade McCray, MSW; Michael O’Brien, RRT; Sage Timberline, MD; Kayleigh Warburton, MS. Lunch provided for the first 60 people. RSVP. Details. 

ROSE Program: Drop Off or Pick Up Reusable Office Supplies

Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Medical Center Dining Conference Rooms 1 and 2 | Reusable Office Supply Exchange (ROSE) Program is a free service that collects new or gently used office supplies. Drop off office supplies or take what you need monthly. 

Unseen: How People of Faith Mend and Uplift Lives

Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 6 p.m. | Rotunda Dome Room | UVA President Jim Ryan, Abundant Life Ministries’ Eddie Howard, and Cato Institute’s Walter Olson describe how their lives were transformed by people and organizations motivated by faith. Sponsored by The Blue Ridge Center.

Medical Center Hour | The Care of Foreigners

Wednesday, Feb. 21 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Eram Alam, PhD, Assistant Professor in the History of Science Department, Harvard University, discusses how COVID-19 made apparent a major deficit in the U.S. healthcare system: physician supply was unequal to medical care demand. Moderated by Dominique Tobbell, PhD, Professor and Director of the Eleanor Crowder Bjoring, Center for Nursing Historical Inquiry, UVA.

Nominate an RN for a Nursing Excellence Award

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 22 | The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors several nurses each year for demonstrating excellence in their roles. Award recipients are selected on the basis of 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.

Accepting Applications: ​​Charles L. Brown Award

Deadline Friday, March 15 | 5 p.m. | The Charles L. Brown Award for Patient Care Quality is UVA Health’s annual award for a care team who has worked to move our quality and patient safety efforts forward. Sponsored by the Department of Quality and Performance Improvement, this award offers a $10,000 prize to a team or teams to recognize excellence in patient care. Submit an application. Questions? Contact Jeff Lucas, Director, Performance Improvement, at 434.243.1755.

Appreciation

Special Delivery

Up to 1,200 stuffed animals arrived at UVA Health Children’s this week — thanks to a fundraiser in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The teddy bears and more were collected at Dairy Queen restaurants, and at the Atlantic Bank Center Feb. 10 during the James Madison University (JMU)’s men’s basketball game’s Teddy Bear Toss! 

Dairy Queen has worked with Children’s Miracle Network hospitals since 1985, offering special promotions and collecting donations. In 2023, nearly 1,000 new and unused stuffed toys were delivered to UVA Health Children’s from this drive.

“Stuffed animals are one of our most requested items at UVA Health Children’s,” says Amy Cesak, CCLS, Patient and Family Centered Care Manager. “They bring great comfort to children who are away from home and can relieve stress and anxiety related to hospitalization and other healthcare experiences.” 

UVA Health Children’s sees an average of 15,000 children annually from Harrisonburg and surrounding areas.

Thank you to donors, Dairy Queen, Children’s Miracle Network, JMU, and UVA Health Children’s team members for putting smiles on the faces of our youngest patients.

Monday, Feb. 12

This Week: Come Together for ASPIRE Day 2024!

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | UVA Health will be hosting a systemwide event for all team members as a way to come together to show our ASPIRE values some love! UVA Health leaders will be on hand throughout the day at hosted tables across the health system for conversation and candy giveaways, and to share a few fun surprises. This is a great opportunity to renew your commitment to our values and discuss your ideas about how we can use our ASPIRE values to continue to make UVA Health one of the best places to work for everyone. Locations: 

• University Medical Center, cafeteria breezeway  
• Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, first floor
• Battle Building, third floor
• West Complex, cafeteria
• Orthopedic Center Ivy Road, cafeteria
• Prince William Medical Center, cafeteria
• Haymarket Medical Center, across from conference room A & B, hallway 
• Culpeper Medical Center, old coffee Kiosk upstairs, main building

ASPIRE Day kits — with the candies and cards — will be sent to clinic locations for team members to celebrate their own ASPIRE Day. 

Operations

Monthly Epic Update

Changes go live Tuesday, Feb. 13 | This month’s Epic updates will impact ambulatory and inpatient licensed independent practitioners, nurses, and therapy services, and ancillary services. Details about the latest changes can be found in the Epic Update Bundle. Questions? Contact the Help Desk at 434.924.5334.

8 West Expands

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 8 West will open as a 15-bed unit for mother/baby or antepartum care. These beds will mirror the patient population and care provided on 8 Central. After 8W opens, 8 North will begin construction to open as a 12-bed NICU.

Rescheduled: Switchgear Power Outages

Monday, Feb. 19, through Tuesday, Feb. 27 | University Hospital | An electrical upgrade will be performed intermittently during overnight shifts impacting power supply only to normal power receptacles and normal power lighting. These outages mostly affect University Hospital, including patient towers and Lee Street Garage — they do not affect the South Tower, South Addition, or operating rooms. Affected equipment includes dietary and laundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, copy machines, desktop computers, and pumps and fans not on emergency power. Pre-outage considerations: 

• Outage dates, times, and affected areas: Check out this chart on Connect. (Note: To access Connect, you must be on a UVA Health network or using VPN.)
• Staff: Please ensure corded equipment that needs to be on emergency power is on emergency power (red or identified) receptacles.
• Department managers:
  • Please alert overnight staff when receiving outage communications, which includes outage maps of areas affected.
  • For corded equipment needed for patient care on normal power that cannot be without power for three to four hours: please share this information with the Health System Physical Plant Electric (Todd Gibson) and outage coordinator (Scott Guynes) so preparations can be made.
• Facilities/outage coordinator: To avoid issues, a walk-through will be made to each area, both prior to the outage and during the first few minutes of the outage.

Questions? Contact Scott Guynes, Senior Construction Administration Manager, at 434.282.3794.

Leadership

University Medical Center CEO Blog | Get to Know the Food and Nutrition Services Team

In her new Vision and Voice post, Wendy Horton gets to know our dedicated team of cooks, patient dining associates, food service workers, managers and chefs, and registered dietitian nutritionists! Read more.

Happenings

Summer: Teen Volunteer Opportunity

Do you know a teen ages 14-18 who wants to volunteer this summer? Learn details and fill out an interest form for the eight-week Charlottesville Medical Center Summer High School Junior Volunteer Program. Visit Volunteer Services for more information. If you work in a University Medical Center department/area and are interested in having Junior Volunteers assist with tasks in your area, please email Maureen Oswald.

Heart Month: Patient and Caregiver Day

Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 2:30-5 p.m. | Virtual | Register | Empowering patients with knowledge and hope. Sponsored by the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses and the Heart Failure Patient Foundation. Providers, please share this with patients. Learn more.  

2024 Black History Month | Racial Healing: The Heart of Racial Equity 

• Coming to the Table: The Journey of Racial Healing | Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 4-5 p.m. | Virtual, registration required | Guest Speaker: Jodie Geddes, co-author of “The Little Book of Racial Healing: Coming to the Table for Truthtelling, Liberation, and Transformation” and Co-Manager, Coming To The Table, Oakland, California.
• UVA Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Presents: Black History Month Gospel Concert | Friday, Feb. 16 | 6:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theater | Free and Open to Public, registration required | This concert will feature Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Tasha Cobbs Leonard and a special performance by Grammy Award-nominated Melvin Crispell III. Northern Virginia-based praise team concert begins at 6 p.m.
• DEI Book of the Month Discussion | Mondays, Feb. 19 and 26 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual, Registration required; click on dates to register | Kimberley Barker, Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, and Melody Pannell, UVA Health Director of Diversity and Community Engagement, facilitate discussion of “The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing.” 
• My Story, My Voice | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 11 a.m.-noon | Medical Education Building 1110 | Registration required for virtual | Guest speaker Gene Cash, LCSW, LISW-S, CEO, Executive Director, Counseling Alliance of Virginia, addresses racial awareness and sensitivity and shares his academic/career journey, mileposts, new learnings, and recommended best practices and benchmarks. My Story, My Voice focuses on leading experts — outside of UVA Health — in healthcare, mental health, restorative justice, and DEI.
• Diversity Dialogue With Dr. Downs | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | noon-1 p.m. | Medical Education Building 1110 | Registration required for virtual | Gene Cash joins Tracy Downs, MD, FACS, UVA Health Chief Diversity and Community Engagement Officer, for a discussion facilitated by Melody Pannell, UVA Health Director of Diversity and Community Engagement.
• Community Conversations: Growing Up in Charlottesville | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, 105 Lankford Ave. | Co-facilitated by UVA Health’s Jackie Martin, Director of Community Partnerships and Health Equity, and Melody Pannell, Director of Diversity and Community Engagement. 
• TO BE RESCHEDULED: Trauma and Race: A Path to Wellbeing | Wednesday, Feb. 28
  • Author Spotlight | 2-3 p.m. | Medical Education Building 3110 | Reverend Dr. Micah McCreary, President, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Jersey; author, “Trauma and Race: A Path to Wellbeing,” about trauma-informed counseling for racially traumatized African (Black), Latino/a/x, Asian, and Native (Indigenous) Americans (ALANAs).
  • Book Signing | 3-4 p.m. | Claude Moore Health Sciences Library lobby

ECHO: Long COVID Virtual Learning Series

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of collaboration among clinicians to address specific needs and challenges associated with providing care for people living in congregate communities. Free CME to registered attendees. Register.

• The Use of Telehealth During the Public Health Emergency and Beyond | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 12:30-1:30 p.m.
• Long COVID, Functional Implications | Wednesday, March 20 | 12:30-1:30 p.m.

ECHO Series: Stroke Ready Primary Care

UVA Neurology is offering a free, recurring, monthly ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) virtual webinar series on novel stroke treatment and presentation identification. This Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded series will examine unique post-stroke populations, unusual presentations, and new treatment paradigms. While intended for primary care providers, other members of the care team and community can attend with permission. Continuing medical education credit available. Sessions will be recorded and distributed to registrants. Registration required.

• Stroke Chameleons — Recognizing Atypical Stroke Presentations | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | noon-1 p.m.
• New Treatment Cholesterol Management | Wednesday, March 13 | noon-1 p.m.
• Cholesterol-Lipid Lowering Drugs: New Treatments, What to Use and When | Wednesday, April 10 | noon-1 p.m.

Services: Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | University Medical Center Chapel | Roman Catholic, noon-12:30 p.m. | Protestant, 1-1:30 p.m. | For those who wish to receive ashes but are unable to attend services, 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, page the on-call chaplain at PIC# 1391.

Nurses: Learn More About the RN-to-BSN Program

See dates below | Zoom | Register | Join Virginia’s No. 1 RN to BSN, a part-time, executive-format program designed for working nurses ready to tap the personal, professional, and financial benefits of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Courses are taught mostly online with a once-a-month, in-person gathering:

• Thursday, Feb. 15 | 10-11 a.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6-7 p.m.
• Friday, March 1 | 10-11 a.m.
• Wednesday, March 13 | 6-7 p.m.

Nominate: 2023 Sustainability Leadership Awards

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 16 | 5 p.m. | This award honors those who exhibit a commitment to advancing sustainability practices and solutions. Nominations are welcome for students and groups; staff and departments; faculty and departments; and community members or groups.

2024 Heart Failure Symposium

Saturday, Feb. 24 | 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 in order to improve care delivery and outcomes for this population in both specialized settings as well as across the continuum of care. Registration closes Sunday, Feb. 18. Learn more. 

Appreciation

President James Ryan Sits Down With HLI Team Members

On Wednesday, Feb. 7, UVA President James Ryan sat down for a fireside chat with team members participating in the Health Leadership Institute (HLI) — a key pillar of the UVA Health strategic plan dedicated to helping build and sharpen team members’ leadership skills. 

Moderated by Mike Valentine, MD, Chair, Heart and Vascular Service Line and Senior Director of HLI, the conversation with President Ryan was structured on the HLI curriculum and discussed Ryan’s own leadership journey and lessons learned, leading with humility, being curious, developing effective leadership tactics, and shaping the culture of an organization.

Ryan told the HLI cohort to always look for leadership opportunities, whether large or small, and to develop experience in what it means to lead. “It will get better with experience,” he said. “In new leadership positions, we often feel the pressure to be a great leader by Day 1. Be comfortable with the learning curve. Demonstrate the behavior you want to see among others. Live your values. Be the person that other people look toward and say they want to work with.”

He also advised the importance of self-care as a leader. Using a running analogy, Ryan said, “I am a big believer of pace. You have to pace yourself, engage in self-protection and self-care. It is not selfish. Because when you show up, you are ready to help other people and work with them.”

Thank you to President Ryan for the conversation and good luck to all HLI participants!

Friday, Feb. 9

Town Hall Video Replay: Ensuring Best Outcomes

If you missed last month’s town hall, here’s a chance to catch up. The first in a series of five videos, UVA Health leaders discuss “How are we as one UVA Health ensuring our patients are getting the right care, at the right time and right place, with the best possible outcomes?” Watch now.

The discussion was moderated by K. Craig Kent, MD, CEO of UVA Health and included: Marianne Baernholdt, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, Dean, UVA School of Nursing; Wendy Horton, PharmD, Chief Executive Officer, UVA Health University Medical Center; J. Scott Just, MD, Chief Executive Officer, UVA Physicians Group; Melina R. Kibbe, MD, Dean, UVA School of Medicine; and Michelle Strider, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, UVA Community Health.

Stay tuned for more video clips in the coming weeks!

Operations

Taking and Posting Photos Online

This is a reminder to all team members: Do not take pictures or video of any patient or their information and post it on social media. If you have questions, please review these policies in PolicyTech: Requirements Relating to Social Media, The Use of Cameras and Other Electronic Devices and Media, and Violations of Confidentiality. Highlights include:

• Under no circumstances shall a team member produce or use photographs, electronic recordings, video and audio recordings, digital imaging, digital recordings, or video chatting of patients for the team member’s personal use.
• Regardless of privacy settings — posting, communicating, or sharing PHI via social media shall, in most cases, result in termination and/or reporting to a licensing board. This also includes reposting or commenting on other posts with patient-specific information.
• Regardless of intended use — all photographs of patients must be produced using University Medical Center devices or media, or on personal devices or media which have been encrypted by Health Information Technology services (HIT).
• All photographs produced for patient identification, diagnosis, or treatment must be incorporated into the patient’s EMR.
• A patient’s HIPAA authorization is required for photographs of patients to be used for purposes such as case studies, presentations, research, marketing, and promotional purposes.
• Patients, families, and visitors to University Medical Center may use photography, provided it does not interfere with patient care, create safety concerns, or disrupt business operations.
• Be extremely cognizant of your surroundings when taking pictures of your co-workers. There may be PHI in the background. 

Have questions or want to report a violation? Contact:

• Krista Barnes, UVA Health Chief Corporate Compliance and Privacy Officer at 434.982.2941 or 713.306.5538 
• Annette Norton, Director, Compliance and Privacy Officer, at 434.465.0761
• Corporate Compliance and Privacy Office at 424.924.2938
• Anonymous Compliance Helpline form or call 800.235.8700

Monthly Epic Update

Changes go live Tuesday, Feb. 13 | This month’s Epic updates will impact ambulatory and inpatient licensed independent practitioners, nurses, and therapy services, and ancillary services. Details about the latest changes can be found in the Epic Update Bundle. Questions? Contact the Help Desk at 434.924.5334.

8 West Expands

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 8 West will open as a 15-bed unit for mother/baby or antepartum care. These beds will mirror the patient population and care provided on 8 Central. After 8W opens, 8 North will begin construction to open as a 12-bed NICU.

Leadership

Becker’s: Academic Medical Center COOs to Know

Congratulations to UVA Health’s Min Lee, MBA, MHA, for making Becker's Hospital Review’s “60 Academic Medical Center COOs to Know.” Selected from among a vast pool of chief operations officers (COO) nationally, this group of health system leaders is committed to streamlining operations to offer excellent patient care using research and innovation. Lee oversees the day-to-day operations of University Medical Center using her extensive experience in academic healthcare and healthcare operations. She is Lean certified and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Congrats!

Next Week: Come Together for ASPIRE Day 2024!

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | UVA Health will be hosting a systemwide event for all team members as a way to come together to show our ASPIRE values some love! UVA Health leaders will be on hand throughout the day at hosted tables across the health system for conversation and candy giveaways, and to share a few fun surprises. This is a great opportunity to renew your commitment to our values and discuss your ideas about how we can use our ASPIRE values to continue to make UVA Health one of the best places to work for everyone. Locations: 

• University Medical Center, cafeteria breezeway  
• Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, first floor
• Battle Building, third floor
• West Complex, cafeteria
• Orthopedic Center Ivy Road, cafeteria
• Prince William Medical Center, cafeteria
• Haymarket Medical Center, across from conference room A & B, hallway 
• Culpeper Medical Center, old coffee Kiosk upstairs, main building

ASPIRE Day kits — with the candies and cards — will be sent to clinic locations for team members to celebrate their own ASPIRE Day. 

UVA Health In the News

Top Story of the Week

• Becker’s Hospital Review names Min Lee to its list of 60 academic medical center COOs to know.

Patient Care

• Dr. Matthew Caley discusses mammograms during this week’s NBC29 segment.
• Dr. Matthew Reilley talks with The Washington Post about stomach cancer.
• Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton talks with Forbes about at-home menopause tests.
• Dr. William Petri talks with Yahoo about the rise of measles and tuberculosis cases in the U.S. 
• Dr. Christopher Kramer’s media briefing on heart health is covered locally and on TV stations across the U.S., including Alabama and Mississippi.

Research

• Dr. Shawn Pelletier talks with Roanoke/Lynchburg’s WSET for a story about the future of transplants that aired on stations nationally, including Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. 
• Dr. Alban Gaultier’s research into how lactobacillus can help treat anxiety and depression is featured on WVEC in Hampton Roads.
• Dr. Bishal Paudel’s research on identifying high-risk patients with acute myeloid leukemia is featured on multiple TV stations, including Birmingham and Wichita.

Community

• Wendy Cohn co-writes an op-ed published by Cardinal News about our partnerships in Southwest Virginia to reduce cancer health disparities. 

Education

• Dr. Martin Hehir joins the VHHA podcast — which airs on radio stations in Richmond and Hampton Roads — to discuss his Olympic Trials marathon run.

Human Resources

Hiring Update for University Medical Center Managers

The integration of SkillSurvey Reference Check and Workday is now complete. With this integration, reference checks for job candidates will now happen automatically when a candidate is moved from interview to offer. The candidate will receive an email that directs them to SkillSurvey where they provide information for their references. As part of this automation, the SkillSurvey report will now be accessible directly within Workday for your review. If you have any questions, please reach out to your recruiter directly.

Happenings

Rotating Art Exhibit 

Through Thursday, March 21 | University Medical Center lobby | Local Charlottesville artist Mary Jane Check will exhibit her art in the show “Eye Candy.” Stop by and check it out! (Pictured: “Black Tea.” Oil on panel.)

Spark Kindness to Foster Connection and Social Well-Being

Monday, Feb. 12 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Learn ways to practice the skill of kindness, why kindness promotes social well-being, and how to join the Spark Kindness Challenge. Register. NetBadge required.

Heart Month: Patient and Caregiver Day

Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 2:30-5 p.m. | Virtual | Register | Empowering patients with knowledge and hope. Sponsored by the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses and the Heart Failure Patient Foundation. Providers, please share this with patients. Learn more.  

Services: Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | University Medical Center Chapel | Roman Catholic, noon-12:30 p.m. | Protestant, 1-1:30 p.m. | For those who wish to receive ashes but are unable to attend services, 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, page the on-call chaplain at PIC# 1391.

ECHO Series: Stroke Ready Primary Care

UVA Neurology is offering a free, recurring, monthly ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) virtual webinar series on novel stroke treatment and presentation identification. This Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded series will examine unique post-stroke populations, unusual presentations, and new treatment paradigms. While intended for primary care providers, other members of the care team and community can attend with permission. Continuing medical education credit available. Sessions will be recorded and distributed to registrants. Registration required.

• Stroke Chameleons — Recognizing Atypical Stroke Presentations | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | noon-1 p.m.
• New Treatment Cholesterol Management | Wednesday, March 13 | noon-1 p.m.
• Cholesterol-Lipid Lowering Drugs: New Treatments, What to Use and When | Wednesday, April 10 | noon-1 p.m.

UVA Pipelines and Pathways: Career Building 101 Workshop Series 

Through these virtual, interactive workshops, you will learn the basics for building your career and get the tools you need to obtain your dream job at UVA or UVA Health. Questions? Contact Hollie Lee at 434.962.3996. Learn more and register.

• Using Emotional Intelligence to Build Relationships and Thrive in Your Career | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | noon-1:30 p.m. | Presented by Grant Tate, Co-Founder & CEO of the Bridge, Ltd. 
• The Inside Scoop: Tips from a UVA Hiring Manager | Thursday, March 14 | noon-1:30 p.m. | Presented by Halima Walker, RN, Nurse Manager, Staffing Resource Office.

UVA Schwartz Center Rounds: What Is a Beloved Community?

Friday, Feb. 16 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium | When a patient spends her entire, two-year life in the hospital, how does that impact the care team and what can they take away from the experience? Panelists include Michelle Adu-Darko, MD; Nancy Glass, PT; Jade McCray, MSW; Michael O’Brien, RRT; Sage Timberline, MD; Kayleigh Warburton, MS. Lunch provided for the first 60 people. RSVP. Details. 

Unseen: How People of Faith Mend and Uplift Lives

Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 6 p.m. | Rotunda Dome Room | UVA President Jim Ryan, Abundant Life Ministries’ Eddie Howard, and Cato Institute’s Walter Olson describe how their lives were transformed by people and organizations motivated by faith. Sponsored by The Blue Ridge Center.

Appreciation | Special Double Edition!

UVA Health Children’s, Women’s Services Earn International Honor for Healthy Work Environment 

UVA Health Children’s and Women’s Services have earned an international accolade for its commitment to creating a healthy workplace. UVA Health representatives will receive the Clinical Healthy Work Environment Award from the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing at a conference in March. 

“This continuing journey to create a stronger, healthier work environment wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and effort of so many people across our team,” says Ann Kellams, MD, a pediatrician and breastfeeding medicine specialist at UVA Health Children’s. “We are so appreciative to receive this great honor.”

The team’s path to building a healthier workplace began in 2018 with 12, in-person listening sessions that identified focus areas, including leadership communications, the work and care environment, and ways to reduce unnecessary stress. Congratulations to all! Read more on Connect.

‘Thank You Doesn't Come Close’ | Kudos for Our UVA Health Colleagues

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

• “During my visit, I was cared for by Paula, an RN, Kat, an RN, and Lesa, a PCT. All three were so attentive and thoughtful. Lesa went to such great lengths to make me comfortable and to assist me in dressing and taking me to my son's car when I was ready to leave. I appreciate each one of them.”
• “Very friendly staff. I am from the Philippines and have had some people treat me rudely at other hospitals. At UVA Health, I feel like I matter and that the staff truly care. I may have to drive a bit, but it is worth the drive for the attention I get, and for the way I am treated. Thank you for caring and saving my life.”
• The medical student who interviewed me was very, very thoughtful of my privacy. (She was clinically excellent, too.) She showed such care in this area that I was able to share a much more personal issue with her, that is relevant to my condition, that I would not have reported. Of all of the medical students I have met at UVA Health, this woman was the best.”
• “The words ‘thank you’ doesn't come close to expressing my gratitude to UVA hospital.”

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

Wednesday, Feb. 7

Scheduled Power Outages

Monday, Feb. 12, through Wednesday, Feb. 21 | University Hospital | An electrical upgrade will be performed intermittently during overnight shifts impacting power supply only to normal power receptacles and normal power lighting. These outages mostly affect University Hospital, including patient towers and Lee Street Garage — they do not affect the South Tower, South Addition, or operating rooms. Affected equipment includes dietary and laundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, copy machines, desktop computers, and pumps and fans not on emergency power. Pre-outage considerations: 

• Outage dates, times, and affected areas: Check out this chart on Connect. (Note: To access Connect, you must be on a UVA Health network or using VPN.)
• Staff: Please ensure corded equipment that needs to be on emergency power is on emergency power (red or identified) receptacles.
• Department managers:
  • Please alert overnight staff when receiving outage communications, which includes outage maps of areas affected.
  • For corded equipment needed for patient care on normal power that cannot be without power for three to four hours: please share this information with the Health System Physical Plant Electric (Todd Gibson) and outage coordinator (Scott Guynes) so preparations can be made.
• Facilities/outage coordinator: To avoid issues, a walk-through will be made to each area, both prior to the outage and during the first few minutes of the outage.

Questions? Contact Scott Guynes, Senior Construction Administration Manager, at 434.282.3794.

Operations

New CBL: Preventing Theft and Unauthorized Access in University Medical Center

In this computer-based learning module (CBL) in Workday, learn why it is important to secure belongings and prevent unauthorized access for the safety of our team members, patients, and visitors. Examines safety risks and liability, examples of unauthorized access, and what prevention measures we can take.

8 West Expands

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 8 West will open as a 15-bed unit for mother/baby or antepartum care. These beds will mirror the patient population and care provided on 8 Central. After 8W opens, 8 North will begin construction to open as a 12-bed NICU.

Leadership

Next Week: Come Together for ASPIRE Day 2024!

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | UVA Health will be hosting a systemwide event for all team members as a way to come together to show our ASPIRE values some love! UVA Health leaders will be on hand throughout the day at hosted tables across the health system for conversation and candy giveaways, and to share a few fun surprises. This is a great opportunity to renew your commitment to our values and discuss your ideas about how we can use our ASPIRE values to continue to make UVA Health one of the best places to work for everyone. Locations: 

• University Medical Center, cafeteria breezeway  
• Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, first floor
• Battle Building, third floor
• Orthopedic Center Ivy Road, cafeteria
• Prince William Medical Center, cafeteria
• Haymarket Medical Center, across from conference room A & B, hallway 
• Culpeper Medical Center, old coffee Kiosk upstairs, main building

ASPIRE Day kits — with the candies and cards — will be sent to clinic locations for team members to celebrate their own ASPIRE Day. 

‘Brunch With Bennett’ Coming to Battle

Wednesday, Feb. 28 | noon-1 p.m. | Battle Building, Quayle Learning Center | Register | Team members are invited to join UVA Health Chief Ambulatory Operations Officer John Bennett for a casual brunch (note change from usual breakfast hour!) and conversation at the Battle Building. Share your ideas and experiences, hear updates from the chief about the latest Ambulatory happenings, and network with colleagues. Seats are limited, so register today! This is a free event and team members do not have to work at the host location to attend.

Heart Month Shoutout: Eve Dallas Joins VCSQI Board of Directors 

Congratulations to Eve Dallas, Staff Perfusionist, Perfusion Team Quality Initiatives Coordinator, on joining the Virginia Cardiac Services Quality Initiative (VCSQI) Board of Directors. The VCSQI’s mission is to transform cardiovascular care to improve patient experience and value. Learn more.

Happenings

Heart Month Food Drive in Honor of Dr. Lew Lipson

Through Thursday, Feb. 29 | Drop off locations will be throughout the Heart & Vascular Center (Cath Lab, CTU, OR, F 500 Cardiology, CV Surgery and PCC Cardiology Clinics, 2nd floor F 400, and UVA Health Augusta/Fishersville Cardiology Clinic). Most needed items include: low sodium canned soup, stew, chili; low sodium canned vegetables; low sugar whole grain cereal; low sugar peanut and almond butter; boxed macaroni and cheese; whole grain rice and pasta; canned tuna and chicken; paper products; baby food, formula, and diapers; soap and feminine products; and toothbrushes. Sponsored by the Cath Lab, CTU, and ambulatory clinics. Donate online.

Lessons of Service 

Thursday, Feb. 8 | noon-1 p.m. | Claude Moore Medical Education Building, 3rd floor auditorium | A lecture by Bill P. Magee Jr., DDS, MD, founder of Operation Smile. Learn more.

Spark Kindness to Foster Connection and Social Well-Being

Monday, Feb. 12 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Learn ways to practice the skill of kindness, why kindness promotes social well-being, and how to join the Spark Kindness Challenge. Register. NetBadge required.

UVA Pipelines and Pathways: Career Building 101 Workshop Series 

Through these virtual, interactive workshops, you will learn the basics for building your career and get the tools you need to obtain your dream job at UVA or UVA Health. Questions? Contact Hollie Lee at 434.962.3996. Learn more and register.

• Using Emotional Intelligence to Build Relationships and Thrive in Your Career | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | noon-1:30 p.m. | Presented by Grant Tate, Co-Founder & CEO of the Bridge, Ltd. 
• The Inside Scoop: Tips from a UVA Hiring Manager | Thursday, March 14 | noon-1:30 p.m. | Presented by Halima Walker, RN, Nurse Manager, Staffing Resource Office.

ECHO: Long COVID Virtual Learning Series

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of collaboration among clinicians to address specific needs and challenges associated with providing care for people living in congregate communities. Free CME to registered attendees. Register.

• The Use of Telehealth During the Public Health Emergency and Beyond | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 12:30-1:30 p.m.
• Long COVID, Functional Implications | Wednesday, March 20 | 12:30-1:30 p.m.

UVA Schwartz Center Rounds: What Is a Beloved Community?

Friday, Feb. 16 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium | When a patient spends her entire, two-year life in the hospital, how does that impact the care team and what can they take away from the experience? Panelists include Michelle Adu-Darko, MD; Nancy Glass, PT; Jade McCray, MSW; Michael O’Brien, RRT; Sage Timberline, MD; Kayleigh Warburton, MS. Lunch provided for the first 60 people. RSVP. Details. 

Nominate: 2023 Sustainability Leadership Awards

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 16 | 5 p.m. | This award honors those who exhibit a commitment to advancing sustainability practices and solutions. Nominations are welcome for students and groups; staff and departments; faculty and departments; and community members or groups.

Nominate an RN for a Nursing Excellence Award

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 22 | The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors several nurses each year for demonstrating excellence in their roles. Award recipients are selected on the basis of 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.

Ready for Ideas: Spark Innovation Competition

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 29 | UVA Health is excited to open the second round of the Spark innovation and ideas competition, which will help bring your great ideas to life. Think of the last time you said, “What if …” or “If only …” Share those thoughts and ideas through the Spark website. This round of the competition has a focus on our research environment. UVA Health wants to hear ideas from every part of the health system. Disrupt the norm, create positive change, and submit your ideas for a chance to win $1,000. Learn more. 

Appreciation

Paint the Gray

A Spark Innovation Competition winning project has been unveiled — supporting UVA Health’s 10-year strategic plan goals of best place to work, easy access, and superior patient outcomes.

UVA Health team member Ann Mercer submitted the idea to paint murals in two parking garages to help make it easier for patients and their families, visitors, and team members to access our services — while lifting spirits along the way.

“We’re hearing and acting on the voices of our team members,” says Hannah Spencer Fitzhugh, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer’s Special Initiatives Lead.

Anne Brown, Arts Program Coordinator, brought in Chartlottesvile’s The Bridge arts collective and artist and UVA alum Britanny Fan to create the murals for “Wildlife of Virginia” theme in the Lee Street Garage and “Flowers of Virginia” theme in the 11th Street Garage, with input and support from UVA Health’s Kevin Fox, Donna Randall, Vickie Marsh, and their teams.

Learn how it all came together, and see the vibrant results on Connect. Thank you to all involved!

Monday, Feb. 5

UVA to Test Emergency Notification System

Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 10:50-11 a.m. | The University will test all components of its emergency notification system. When the test is over, a “test complete” message will be issued. UVA’s siren and public address system will be included in the test. All current students, faculty, staff, and UVA Health team members with a valid UVA email account will automatically receive an email alert. Students, faculty, staff, and UVA Health team members who provided a phone number during orientation or onboarding will also automatically receive a text alert. For details, please refer to the Feb. 1 email from Jennifer (J.J.) Wagner Davis, Executive VP & COO, and Timothy J. Longo, Associate VP for Safety & Security and Chief of Police.

Leadership

Save the Date: Come Together for ASPIRE Day 2024!

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | UVA Health will be hosting a systemwide event for all team members as a way to come together to show our ASPIRE values some love! UVA Health leaders will be on hand throughout the day at hosted tables across the health system for conversation and candy giveaways, and to share a few fun surprises. This is a great opportunity to renew your commitment to our values and discuss your ideas about how we can use our ASPIRE values to continue to make UVA Health one of the best places to work for everyone. Locations: 

• University Medical Center, cafeteria breezeway  
• Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, first floor
• Battle Building, third floor
• Orthopedic Center Ivy Road, cafeteria
• Prince William Medical Center, cafeteria
• Haymarket Medical Center, across from conference room A & B, hallway 
• Culpeper Medical Center, old coffee Kiosk upstairs, main building

ASPIRE Day kits — with the candies and cards — will be sent to clinic locations for team members to celebrate their own ASPIRE Day. 

‘Brunch With Bennett’ Coming to Battle

Wednesday, Feb. 28 | noon-1 p.m. | Battle Building, Quayle Learning Center | Register | Team members are invited to join UVA Health Chief Ambulatory Operations Officer John Bennett for a casual brunch (note change from usual breakfast hour!) and conversation at the Battle Building. Share your ideas and experiences, hear updates from the chief about the latest Ambulatory happenings, and network with colleagues. Seats are limited, so register today! This is a free event and team members do not have to work at the host location to attend.

Human Resources

Benefits Wednesday: Meet a Counselor

Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | Medical Center Dining Conference Room 3 | Ask questions and discuss your benefits with a Human Resources counselor. Walk-ins welcome. See monthly dates.

Hiring Update for University Medical Center Managers

The integration of SkillSurvey Reference Check and Workday is now complete. With this integration, reference checks for job candidates will now happen automatically when a candidate is moved from interview to offer. The candidate will receive an email that directs them to SkillSurvey where they provide information for their references. As part of this automation, the SkillSurvey report will now be accessible directly within Workday for your review. If you have any questions, please reach out to your recruiter directly.

Happenings

2024 Black History Month | Racial Healing: The Heart of Racial Equity 

• Racial Awareness and Sensitivity Support Group, Multi-Racial | Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 6:15-7:45 p.m. | Virtual | Counseling Alliance of Virginia leads these sessions for the community to encourage cross-racial conversations and dialogue — safely and therapeutically. 
• Black Excellence Expo | Saturday, Feb. 10 | noon-3 p.m. | Manassas Park City Library, 100 Park Central Plaza Suite 100, Manassas Park, VA 20111 | UVA Community Health will be on site to celebrate Black History Month with other local professionals and provide health screenings to community members.
• DEI Book of the Month Discussion | Mondays, Feb. 12, 19, 26 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual, Registration required; click on dates to register | Kimberley Barker, Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, and Melody Pannell, UVA Health Director of Diversity and Community Engagement, facilitate discussion of “The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing.” 
• Coming to the Table: The Journey of Racial Healing | Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 4-5 p.m. | Virtual, registration required | Guest Speaker: Jodie Geddes, co-author of “The Little Book of Racial Healing: Coming to the Table for Truthtelling, Liberation, and Transformation” and Co-Manager, Coming To The Table, Oakland, California.
• UVA Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Presents: Black History Month Gospel Concert | Friday, Feb. 16 | 6:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theater | Free and Open to Public, registration required | This concert will feature Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Tasha Cobbs Leonard and a special performance by Grammy Award-nominated Melvin Crispell III. Northern Virginia-based praise team concert begins at 6 p.m.
• My Story, My Voice | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 11 a.m.-noon | Medical Education Building 1110 | Registration required for virtual | Guest speaker Gene Cash, LCSW, LISW-S, CEO, Executive Director, Counseling Alliance of Virginia, addresses racial awareness and sensitivity and shares his academic/career journey, mileposts, new learnings, and recommended best practices and benchmarks. My Story, My Voice focuses on leading experts — outside of UVA Health — in healthcare, mental health, restorative justice, and DEI.
• Diversity Dialogue With Dr. Downs | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | noon-1 p.m. | Medical Education Building 1110 | Registration required for virtual | Gene Cash joins Tracy Downs, MD, FACS, UVA Health Chief Diversity and Community Engagement Officer, for a discussion facilitated by Melody Pannell, UVA Health Director of Diversity and Community Engagement.
• Community Conversations: Growing Up in Charlottesville | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, 105 Lankford Ave. | Co-facilitated by UVA Health’s Jackie Martin, Director of Community Partnerships and Health Equity, and Melody Pannell, Director of Diversity and Community Engagement. 
• TO BE RESCHEDULED: Trauma and Race: A Path to Wellbeing | Wednesday, Feb. 28
  • Author Spotlight | 2-3 p.m. | Medical Education Building 3110 | Reverend Dr. Micah McCreary, President, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Jersey; author, “Trauma and Race: A Path to Wellbeing,” about trauma-informed counseling for racially traumatized African (Black), Latino/a/x, Asian, and Native (Indigenous) Americans (ALANAs).
  • Book Signing | 3-4 p.m. | Claude Moore Health Sciences Library lobby

Nurses: Learn More About the RN-to-BSN Program

See dates below | Zoom | Register | Join Virginia’s No. 1 RN to BSN, a part-time, executive-format program designed for working nurses ready to tap the personal, professional, and financial benefits of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Courses are taught mostly online with a once-a-month, in-person gathering:

• Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 6-7 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 15 | 10-11 a.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6-7 p.m.
• Friday, March 1 | 10-11 a.m.
• Wednesday, March 13 | 6-7 p.m.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor, Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers: get a new or updated headshot taken in 10 minutes or less on dates listed below. No appointment needed. Bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Thursday, Feb. 15 | 7-10 a.m.
• Friday, Feb. 23 | 8-11 a.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Spark Kindness to Foster Connection and Social Well-Being

Monday, Feb. 12 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Learn ways to practice the skill of kindness, why kindness promotes social well-being, and how to join the Spark Kindness Challenge. Register. NetBadge required.

Heart Month: Patient and Caregiver Day

Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 2:30-5 p.m. | Virtual | Register | Empowering patients with knowledge and hope. Sponsored by the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses and The Heart Failure Patient Foundation. Providers, please share this with patients. Learn more.  

Services: Ash Wednesday 

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | University Medical Center Chapel | Roman Catholic, noon-12:30 p.m. | Protestant, 1-1:30 p.m. | For those who wish to receive ashes but are unable to attend services, 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, page the on-call chaplain at PIC# 1391.

ECHO Series: Stroke Ready Primary Care

UVA Neurology is offering a free, recurring, monthly ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) virtual webinar series on novel stroke treatment and presentation identification. This Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded series will examine unique post-stroke populations, unusual presentations, and new treatment paradigms. While intended for primary care providers, other members of the care team and community can attend with permission. Continuing medical education credit available. Sessions will be recorded and distributed to registrants. Registration required.

• Stroke Chameleons — Recognizing Atypical Stroke Presentations | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | noon-1 p.m.
• New Treatment Cholesterol Management | Wednesday, March 13 | noon-1 p.m.
• Cholesterol-Lipid Lowering Drugs: New Treatments, What to Use and When | Wednesday, April 10 | noon-1 p.m.

2024 Heart Failure Symposium

Saturday, Feb. 24 | 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 in order to improve care delivery and outcomes for this population in both specialized settings as well as across the continuum of care. Registration closes Sunday, Feb. 18. Learn more. 

Accepting Applications: ​​Charles L. Brown Award

Deadline Friday, March 15 | 5 p.m. | The Charles L. Brown Award for Patient Care Quality is UVA Health’s annual award for a care team who has worked to move our quality and patient safety efforts forward. Sponsored by the Department of Quality and Performance Improvement, this award offers a $10,000 prize to a team or teams to recognize excellence in patient care. Submit an application. Questions? Contact Jeff Lucas, Director, Performance Improvement, at 434.243.1755.

Appreciation

Heart Month Kudos: Echo Lab 

Congratulations to the Echo Lab on receiving Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) accreditation for the past quarter century. The achievement of 25 years of consistent accreditation is significant from a quality and patient care standpoint: it reflects adherence to rigorous standards and guidelines. 

The majority of the accreditation is driven by Echo’s Department Supervisor Jason Higginson and Echo Medical Director Jamie Bourque, MD. This accreditation applies to our Echo labs at Fontaine Research Park, University Hospital, and Augusta Cardiology Clinic. The echocardiogram has become a standard of practice, and UVA Health University Medical Center and its team will perform approximately 19,000 studies this upcoming year. 

We are very proud of our core cardiac sonographer staff, all of whom are accomplished in providing a complex schedule of services. It is a unique diagnostic service where the skill and experience of the person guiding the probe is critical. The Echo team works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing on-call services, weekend, and holiday coverage. Services provided include transesophageal, transthoracic, stress echo, research protocols, and interventional support.

Congratulations to all involved in this outstanding milestone!

Friday, Feb. 2

Save the Date: Come Together for ASPIRE Day 2024!

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | UVA Health will be hosting a systemwide event for all team members as a way to come together to show our ASPIRE values some love! UVA Health leaders will be on hand throughout the day at hosted tables across the health system for conversation and candy giveaways, and to share a few fun surprises. This is a great opportunity to renew your commitment to our values and discuss your ideas about how we can use our ASPIRE values to continue to make UVA Health one of the best places to work for everyone. Locations: 

• University Medical Center, cafeteria breezeway  
• Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, first floor
• Battle Building, third floor
• Orthopedic Center Ivy Road, cafeteria
• Prince William Medical Center, cafeteria
• Haymarket Medical Center, across from conference room A & B, hallway 
• Culpeper Medical Center, old coffee Kiosk upstairs, main building

ASPIRE Day kits — with the candies and cards — will be sent to clinic locations for team members to celebrate their own ASPIRE Day. 

Operations

South Tower Shines Red for Heart Month

In celebration of American Heart Month, UVA Health will be lighting the South Tower red today and through the weekend. You have the power to take action to protect yourself against heart disease. Small heart-healthy actions — like adding more movement to your day or choosing healthy foods — can have a big impact on protecting your heart.

UVA to Test Emergency Notification System

Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 10:50-11 a.m. | The University will test all components of its emergency notification system. When the test is over, a “test complete” message will be issued. UVA’s siren and public address system will be included in the test. All current students, faculty, staff, and UVA Health team members with a valid UVA email account will automatically receive an email alert. Students, faculty, staff, and UVA Health team members who provided a phone number during orientation or onboarding will also automatically receive a text alert. For details, please refer to the Feb. 1 email from Jennifer (J.J.) Wagner Davis, Executive VP & COO, and Timothy J. Longo, Associate VP for Safety & Security and Chief of Police.

Get Hyped — Hyperdrive is Coming 

The Health Information Technology team will implement Epic Hyperdrive across all UVA Health entities this spring. Hyperdrive is Epic’s own custom web browser, and the new way team members will access Epic to complete routine patient care activities. Read more on Connect.

All Devices Running Office 2016 to Be Automatically Upgraded

All UVA Health devices running Microsoft Office 2016 are being upgraded to Office 2021. The upgrades will take place automatically on a rolling schedule based on PC number through spring 2024, affecting approximately 17,000 devices. Here’s what you need to know about the installation:

• Most devices complete the installation within 15 minutes, but older devices and those located off Grounds may take longer.
• The automated installation will offer an option to delay up to five days.
• If you wish to control the timing of the upgrade, it’s best to initiate it manually by following the instructions on HIT’s Office 2021 help page.
• To prepare for the upgrade, ensure all Office files (e.g., .docx, .xlsx, etc.) are saved to a network location such as your home drive (F:) or other department shared drives (e.g., O:, Y;, and Z:).

Learn more about the upgrade and specific changes users will experience on HIT’s Office 2021 help page.

Leadership

‘Brunch With Bennett’ Coming to Battle

Wednesday, Feb. 28 | noon-1 p.m. | Battle Building, Quayle Learning Center | Register | Team members are invited to join UVA Health Chief Ambulatory Operations Officer John Bennett for a casual brunch (note change from usual breakfast hour!) and conversation at the Battle Building. Share your ideas and experiences, hear updates from the chief about the latest Ambulatory happenings, and network with colleagues. Seats are limited, so register today! This is a free event and team members do not have to work at the host location to attend.

UVA Health in the News

Top Story of the Week

• Becker’s Hospital Review highlights efforts to renew the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act and the funding already received by UVA Health.

Patient Care

• Chelsea Chambers discusses genetic screening during this week’s NBC29 segment.
• Dr. Taison Bell talks with USA Today to debunk a myth that aluminum in vaccines causes autism.
• The retirement of Mike Boblitz as UVA Orthopedics COO is highlighted by Becker’s Hospital Review.
• Dr. Kim Penberthy’s media briefing on seasonal affective disorder is covered by TV stations across the country, including Ohio and Michigan.
• Dr. Michael A. Williams is featured in a Becker’s Hospital Review white paper discussing how technology can ease nurses’ documentation burdens.

Research

• A story on MSG featured on TV stations across the country — including Norfolk and Washington, D.C. — cites an article from our Healthy Balance blog. 
• Dr. Eyleen O’Rourke’s anti-aging research is covered by TV stations across the country, including North Carolina and Kansas.
• Dr. Madhusmita Misra writes a commentary for Medscape on the effect of “forever chemicals” on kids’ bone health.
• Dr. Jeff Saucerman’s research on how AI helped identify a potential heart repair drug is covered by TV stations nationally, including Missouri and Alabama.

Community

• Our Community Paramedicine program has received strong coverage over the past two weeks, with Patrick Watson and Taylor Tereskerz featured on TV stations nationally and Becker’s Hospital Review. 

Education

• Dr. Martin Hehir’s upcoming run in the Olympic Trials marathon is featured in The Daily Progress.

Human Resources

Benefits Wednesday: Meet a Counselor

Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | Medical Center Dining Conference Room 3 | Ask questions and discuss your benefits with a Human Resources counselor. Walk-ins welcome. See monthly dates.

Happenings

Today: National Wear Red Day — Send Your Photos to Us

Friday, Feb. 2 | National Wear Red Day unites millions worldwide to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and stroke prevention for all with a focus on women’s health. Chances are, we all know a woman affected by heart disease and stroke because cardiovascular disease claims the lives of more women than all cancers combined. Together, we can change this — because there is nothing women united with purpose cannot achieve. 

• Reminder: Email photos of you (and your colleagues) wearing your best red outfits on Feb. 2 and we’ll share them on Connect. (Please include name and department in photo submissions.)

UVA LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Meetups

Saturday, Feb. 3 | Sponsored by the UVA LGBTQ Committee.

• UVA Women’s Rugby vs. Virginia Tech | Madbowl | 11 a.m.
• Out and About Happy Hour | Pro Re Nata Brewpub and Music Hall, Crozet | 5-8 p.m. | RSVP

2024 Black History Month | Racial Healing: The Heart of Racial Equity 

• DEI Book of the Month Discussion | Mondays, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual, Registration required; click on dates to register | Kimberley Barker, Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, and Melody Pannell, UVA Health Director of Diversity and Community Engagement, facilitate discussion of “The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing.” 
• Racial Awareness and Sensitivity Support Group, Multi-Racial | Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 6:15-7:45 p.m. | Virtual | Counseling Alliance of Virginia leads these sessions for the community to encourage cross-racial conversations and dialogue — safely and therapeutically. 
• Black Excellence Expo | Saturday, Feb. 10 | noon-3 p.m. | Manassas Park City Library, 100 Park Central Plaza Suite 100, Manassas Park, VA 20111 | UVA Community Health will be on site to celebrate Black History Month with other local professionals and provide health screenings to community members.
• Coming to the Table: The Journey of Racial Healing | Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 4-5 p.m. | Virtual, registration required | Guest Speaker: Jodie Geddes, co-author of “The Little Book of Racial Healing: Coming to the Table for Truthtelling, Liberation, and Transformation” and Co-Manager, Coming To The Table, Oakland, California.
• UVA Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Presents: Black History Month Gospel Concert | Friday, Feb. 16 | 6:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theater | Free and Open to Public, registration required | This concert will feature Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Tasha Cobbs Leonard and a special performance by Grammy Award-nominated Melvin Crispell III. Northern Virginia-based praise team concert begins at 6 p.m.
• My Story, My Voice | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 11 a.m.-noon | Medical Education Building 1110 | Registration required for virtual | Guest speaker Gene Cash, LCSW, LISW-S, CEO, Executive Director, Counseling Alliance of Virginia, addresses racial awareness and sensitivity and shares his academic/career journey, mileposts, new learnings, and recommended best practices and benchmarks. My Story, My Voice focuses on leading experts — outside of UVA Health — in healthcare, mental health, restorative justice, and DEI.
• Diversity Dialogue With Dr. Downs | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | noon-1 p.m. | Medical Education Building 1110 | Registration required for virtual | Gene Cash joins Tracy Downs, MD, FACS, UVA Health Chief Diversity and Community Engagement Officer, for a discussion facilitated by Melody Pannell, UVA Health Director of Diversity and Community Engagement.
• Community Conversations: Growing Up in Charlottesville | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, 105 Lankford Ave. | Co-facilitated by UVA Health’s Jackie Martin, Director of Community Partnerships and Health Equity, and Melody Pannell, Director of Diversity and Community Engagement. 
• TO BE RESCHEDULED: Trauma and Race: A Path to Wellbeing | Wednesday, Feb. 28
  • Author Spotlight | 2-3 p.m. | Medical Education Building 3110 | Reverend Dr. Micah McCreary, President, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Jersey; author, “Trauma and Race: A Path to Wellbeing,” about trauma-informed counseling for racially traumatized African (Black), Latino/a/x, Asian, and Native (Indigenous) Americans (ALANAs).
  • Book Signing | 3-4 p.m. | Claude Moore Health Sciences Library lobby

Introduction to Mindfulness for Healthcare Employees

Tuesdays, Feb. 6-March 13 I 5-6:30 p.m. | Zoom | Register | An ideal course for those who want to learn about mindfulness and how to apply it to reduce stress — both at work and at home.

Nurses: Learn More About the RN-to-BSN Program

See dates below | Zoom | Register | Join Virginia’s No. 1 RN to BSN, a part-time, executive-format program designed for working nurses ready to tap the personal, professional, and financial benefits of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Courses are taught mostly online with a once-a-month, in-person gathering:

• Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 6-7 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 15 | 10-11 a.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6-7 p.m.
• Friday, March 1 | 10-11 a.m.
• Wednesday, March 13 | 6-7 p.m.

Unseen: How People of Faith Mend and Uplift Lives

Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 6 p.m. | Rotunda Dome Room | UVA President Jim Ryan, Abundant Life Ministries’ Eddie Howard, and Cato Institute’s Walter Olson describe how their lives were transformed by people and organizations motivated by faith. Sponsored by The Blue Ridge Center.

Appreciation

‘Forever Grateful’ | Kudos for Our UVA Health Colleagues

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

• “Two separate employees in different locations stopped specifically to see if I needed help finding where I was going. One was a person pushing a cart full of packages and the other was just someone in a uniform passing by. Each of them noticed I was looking for a spot and stopped spontaneously to inquire if I needed help. I saw this happen with other patients as well. It was incredibly impressive how helpful everyone was.”
• “The nurse had a young lady training with her (I believe her name is Michaela). I am acquainted with the nurse (she is outstanding — always glad to see her). And Michaela will be the same. She was interested and respectful, had a great smile and obvious intelligence. Whoever brought her into the UVA Health family deserves a huge raise!”
• “Outstanding and life-changing care by Carrie! Her expertise in vestibular therapy is second to none! I went from feeling hopeless and extremely worried about my future due to vertigo and — within 24 hours of seeing her — I am feeling amazing! She was able to change my quality of life in one session! Forever grateful!”
• “I tell my family members and strangers of this office and the doctor who performed my care. Dr. Chun Yen Poo is an amazing doctor. He performed my surgery and did an amazing job. And I am pain free still today. I was waiting in the lobby to check out this past Friday to make a six-month appointment and I was telling the lady in front of me what a wonderful doctor Dr. Chun Len Poo was, and she actually told the receptionist that she wanted to switch doctors. He is an amazing doctor and I will shout it to the rooftops.”

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

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