1.2.2026
ROSE Program Gives Office Supplies New Life
1.2.2026
UVA Health Update | Jan. 2, 2026
Discounted UVA Basketball Tickets
UVA Athletics is excited to give UVA Health team members the opportunity to join multiple games during the 2025-26 men's basketball season. To celebrate the immense impact you make on the community, UVA Athletics is offering a special discounted ticket rate to all UVA Health employees, as well as their friends and families. See schedule and purchase tickets.
Operations
Monthly Update: Clinical and Operational Documents
Having a working knowledge of policies and other clinical and operational documents relevant to your role and responsibilities at University Medical Center supports quality patient care and regulatory compliance. Learn What’s New in Clinical and Operational Documents. This month’s highlights include:
- Updates to UVA Health University Medical Center Downtime Plan.
- A new Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Non-malignant Pain Guideline.
- Updates to Medical Center policy Management of Observers and Mentees at the Medical Center.
- Updates to Medical Center Safety and Security Plan, and many more.
Questions? Email PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.
Change: X-Rays at UVA Health Primary Care Riverside
Effective Thursday, Jan. 1 | UVA Health Primary Care Riverside will no longer offer on-site X-ray services. If an X-ray is deemed necessary, patients will be referred to one of several imaging facilities.
Construction Impact | Crispell Drive
Begins Monday, Jan. 5 | Construction for the fit-out of South Tower floors 6, 7, and 8 will begin soon. From January 2026 through fall 2027, there will be increased traffic along Crispell Drive as materials, fencing, and barricades are delivered in the ambulance charging spaces and the M11 parking spaces along Crispell Drive. Sidewalks along Crispell will remain open. Ambulances are directed to begin charging in 11th Street Garage beginning Monday, Jan. 5. Service elevator #34 in University Hospital will be reserved for construction use 24/7 for the duration of the project. See map. Questions? Contact Hunter Durrer, Construction Administration Manager.
UVA Health in the News
Top Story
- Dr. Zhenqi Liu talks with The New York Times about how weight loss drugs can cause patients to lose muscle.
Patient Care
- Our two most recent NBC29 segments feature Dr. Nicole Fowler discussing immunotherapy for oral cancer and Dr. Santhi Logel discussing when young adults should switch to a provider specializing in adults.
- University Medical Center is named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of 100 great hospitals in America.
- Dr. Matthew Meyer talks with Medscape about UVA Health’s work to reduce medical waste.
- Becker’s Hospital Review highlights Sonney Sapra’s appointment as UVA Health’s Chief Information Officer.
- Dr. Costi Sifri is featured locally and on TV stations nationally discussing the flu.
- Pediatric Physical Therapist Bette Connaughton is featured locally, across Virginia, and on TV stations nationally discussing a new sensory gym at UVA Health Children’s supported by a grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation.
- Director of Ambulatory Pharmacy Justin Vesser talks with Becker’s Hospital Review about changes coming to pharmacies.
Research
- Dr. Mark Esser is featured locally, across Virginia, and on TV stations nationally discussing the selection of Mark Weathers as the first COO of the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology.
- Dr. Frederick Hayden is featured locally, across Virginia, and in media outlets across the United States and internationally discussing flu season.
- Dr. Claudia Allen is featured locally and on TV stations nationally discussing the health risks of early smartphone use by children.
- Dr. Eyleen O’Rourke is featured on TV stations nationally discussing a new study that showed diet is more impactful than exercise on losing weight.
- Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton talks with Contemporary OB/GYN about new hot flash treatment options.
- Dr. Andrew Wolf is featured in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Yahoo discussing HPV self-tests for women.
Community
Education
- The Culpeper Star-Exponent highlights how UVA Health is partnering with community groups to help local residents build healthcare careers.
Human Resources
Benefits Wednesday: Meet a Counselor
Wednesday, Jan. 7 | 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | University Hospital, Dining Conference Room 3 | Ask questions and discuss your benefitswith a Human Resources counselor. Walk-ins welcome. See monthly dates.
Happenings
Expressive Color: The Art of Karen Rosasco
Through Wednesday, Jan. 14 | University Hospital Lobby | UVA Health Arts Program is pleased to present “Expressive Color: The Art of Karen Rosasco.” Pictured: “The Trout Stream.”
January: Team Member and Health Awareness
To support UVA Health’s mission of transforming health and inspiring hope — each month, we’re recognizing team member and health awareness months, weeks, and days. See the list on Connect.
Organizational Leadership Coaching Program
Registration deadline: Tuesday, Jan. 6 | Are you a healthcare professional looking to deepen your leadership impact? In just four months, UVA’s online Organizational Leadership Coaching (OLC) program equips you with evidence-based coaching tools and 88 contact hours required for the International Coaching Federation’s Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential. You’ll hone active listening, ethical practice, and resilience-building skills — empowering you to support your teams, reduce burnout, and lead change. Learn more.
Move 2 Health Equity: A Grassroots Movement
Move 2 Health Equity is growing a network of Medicaid assisters and advocates to support people applying or reapplying for Medicaid. Do you have time to help someone with the complicated paperwork necessary to apply/reapply for Medicaid?
- Medicaid Assisters will go through 10 to 12 hours of virtual training to become certified according to federal regulations.
- Medicaid Advocates will do approximately four hours of in-house training to provide information to Medicaid recipients and walk them through their health insurance options. Medicaid Advocates will make referrals to Medicaid Assisters and Social Services Departments as needed.
If you are interested in more information and/or becoming a Medicaid Assister or Advocate, please email the Move2Health Equity Coalition and join the information session on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6-7:30 p.m., at CitySpace, 100 5th Street NE. View the flyer.
ECHO | Clinical Obesity Management: Interprofessional Perspectives
This series aims to enhance clinician competence in obesity management by offering expert-led sessions across essential domains, fostering better patient outcomes through interdisciplinary learning and collaboration. All sessions start at noon and contain lectures, case presentations, and Q&A sections. Details and registration.
- Thursday, Jan. 8 | Perimenopause Weight Management
- Thursday, Jan. 22 | Eating Disorders
- Thursday, Feb. 5 | Treatment of Adolescent Obesity
- Thursday, Feb. 19 | Managing Acute Obesity Medication and Side Effects
- Thursday, March 5 | Intermittent Fasting
Earn While You Learn: Cardiac and Vascular Sonography Applications Open
Deadline: Thursday, Jan. 15 | Applications are open for entry into the August 2026 program. Learn more details about the program and required courses to qualify for application.
Heart and Vascular Center Support Group
Begins Thursday, Jan. 15 | 2-3:15 p.m. | Heart and Vascular Center, 500 Ray C. Hunt Drive, 2nd floor, Room 2111 | This group is for anyone experiencing emotional stress, having difficulty coping, or looking for extra support. The goal is to create a safe space where members can share their stories, offer each other encouragement, foster self-reflection, and combat feelings of isolation. Two facilitators will be present to provide guidance, support, and constructive feedback. Meets the second Thursday of each month. To register or get questions answered, please contact group facilitators CJ Williams, Exercise Physiologist, at 434.297.6062, or Jose Bonilla, Clinical Social Worker, at 434.760.6835.
Introduction to Mindfulness
Thursdays, Jan. 15-Feb. 19 | 6:15-7:45 p.m. | Zoom | Carwood Fitzhugh teaches this six-week course. Register.
Tiny Packages With Big Impact: EV Workshop
Feb. 7-11 | Offers comprehensive, cutting-edge training in extracellular vesicles (EV), tailored for professionals and researchers seeking to advance their expertise. This is an excellent opportunity to gain practical insights and engage with leading experts in the field. The five-day program Includes inspiring talks, dynamic sessions, and hands-on workshops. Learn more and register.
EoE Network of Virginia Conference
Saturday, March 14 | Richmond Marriott, Short Pump | UVA School of Medicine and UVA School of Nursing will host the EoE Network of Virginia Conference. This educational event focuses on eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) — a condition once considered rare but now increasingly managed in community settings thanks to updated guidelines and FDA-approved therapies. The conference will provide the latest insights on diagnosis and treatment, highlight multidisciplinary care strategies, and foster collaboration among providers across Virginia. Register. Questions? Contact Amy Harris, MBA, Program Manager.
Excellence in Clinical Trials: Practical Skills for Principal Investigators
Through Thursday, April 9 | 4-6 p.m. | Pinn Hall Room 1017 | This six-session series is designed for first time or aspiring faculty principal investigators. Sessions are designed to promote clinical trial leadership focusing on team building, feasibility assessments, financial management, trial recruitment, document control, and best practices for investigator-initiated clinical trial management. Participants will gain practical skills needed to ensure efficiency, compliance, and quality throughout the lifecycle of a clinical trial. Details and registration. Questions? Contact Katie Rea at 434.924.8574.
Appreciation
‘Attentive, Caring, and Calm’ | Kudos to Our UVA Health Colleagues
To best serve our community, UVA Health regularly surveys our patients on their healthcare experience. Below is a selection of feedback praising our team members:
- "Dr. Robinson did a fantastic job of doing the tests required and minimizing pain, keeping me informed, arranging for a comfortable chair — just a very, very good bedside manner!”
- "A nurse not assigned to my care saw my wife sitting alone during my procedure and stopped to ask if she was OK, and if she needed or wanted anything. That small act of kindness meant more to both of us than your staff will ever know.”
- "Dr. Hoeg is wonderful. She is attentive, caring, and calm. I really appreciate her ability to fully understand my needs and create a plan accordingly. She always asks my thoughts and input on decisions that need to be made, and I feel confident about the care choices we make together. Thank you!”
Thank you to our team members for providing outstanding, compassionate, and safe care!
