7.1.2026
Strategic Bed Moves | University Medical Center
7.1.2026
UVA Health Update | July 1, 2026
Submit Proposals: SPARK Tank 2026
Application deadline: Wednesday, July 8 | The UVA Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology has announced the inaugural SPARK Tank Competition, a live pitch event on Aug. 4. SPARK Tank is designed to identify scientifically rigorous ideas where targeted support at the right moment could meaningfully advance a discovery toward therapeutic development or clinical application. Review the call for proposals and submit drug discovery and development proposals for consideration.
- SPARK Tank Event | Tuesday, Aug. 4 | 1-4 p.m. | Claude Moore Medical Education Building Auditorium Room 3110
Operations
Impacts of Independence Day Observed | Observed Friday, July 3
- All UVA Health clinics will be closed. (Dialysis clinics will remain open.)
- Team Member Gym will be closed.
- Parking and Transportation Modifications:
- University Transit Service bus and the Health System Fontaine and Northridge shuttle service will not operate Friday, July 3.
- University Medical Center Courtesy Shuttle will operate on the weekend schedule, running every 60 minutes, 7:20 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
- UtoCar will operate normally.
- Parking is available for team members in the South Garage on Crispell Drive and 11th Street Garage (Level D and above only) Friday, July 3.
- University Transit Bus and Health System Transit shuttle will operate normally Monday, July 6.
- Cafe and retail locations | Closed Friday
- Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center Cafe
- Fontaine Research Park Building 500
- Orthopedic Center at Ivy Road
- University Hospital, Operating Room Cafe
- West Complex Cafe
- UVA Health Update will not be sent Friday, July 3. It will resume Monday, July 6.
Summer Heat Advisory
The National Weather Service is currently predicting a significant heat risk that will continue through the holiday weekend. Temperatures will range from 95 to 105 degrees, which results in a heat index of 100 to 110 degrees from Wednesday to Sunday. Early forecasting is also showing potential for severe thunderstorms Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening. Please take extra precautions to protect yourself from heat-related illness.
Report After-Hours and Downtime BBF Exposures to Contact Center
With our transition to Epic Secure Chat and the retirement of PIC numbers, Employee Health has revised the process for reporting team member blood and body fluid (BBF) exposures. Please take note:
- During regular business hours:
- Send a message via Secure Chat to the group UVMC Employee Blood and Body Fluid (BBF) Exposure. It should be marked as urgent.
- Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Outside of business hours/downtime (NEW):
- Call the Contact Center (dial 4-2012 onsite or 434.924.2012 offsite).
- This is a change — the current process for after-hours exposures is to send a Secure Chat message.
- If you do not have Epic access, including during Epic downtime.
- Call the Contact Center (dial 4-2012 onsite or 434.924.2012 offsite).
To learn more, visit the Employee Health intranet site.
Construction Impact | 500 Fontaine Research Park
Through November | Construction crews will work to install various water pipes. During this phase, new patient parking spaces will be open for use. Valet service will be available 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Concierge staff will greet patients at the lot entrance and help them find a space or hand them off to a valet. Patients arriving before 7:30 a.m. or after 6 p.m. can self-park and use the golf cart shuttle. Questions? Contact Jim Battaglia.
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:
- Ketogenic Diet for Patients with Epilepsy Guideline
- Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Evaluation and Management Guideline
- Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) Infection (CDI) Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment in Adult Patients Guideline
- Care of the Patient With Non-Traumatic Intracerebral/Intraventricular Hemorrhagic Stoke Guideline
- New Antiemetic for Anti-neoplastics in Pediatrics Guideline, and many more.
Questions? Email PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.
USB Storage Device Blocking Expands to Pharmacy, CPG Clinics
To strengthen our cyberdefenses, UVA Health has begun blocking the use of USB storage devices (e.g., thumb drives and other external storage drives) on all UVA Health-issued personal computers (PCs). The next implementation phase begins June 30 and includes inpatient and outpatient Pharmacy, UPG Clinical Practice Group (CPG) clinics, and remaining University Hospital inpatient unit PCs. See Connect for a detailed schedule. If you’re wondering if USB storage devices are blocked on your PC, HIT has deployed a desktop tray icon to indicate your computer's status: 1) blocked, 2) exception granted, or 3) policy not yet implemented. See the FAQs on Connect for more.
As a reminder, instead of USB devices, team members should use their Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage account for secure data storage and sharing. This change does not affect USB-connected mice, keyboards, phone chargers, or similar accessories.
Strategic Bed Moves | University Medical Center
From UVA Health leadership: “As part of our ongoing commitment to expand access and capacity at the University Medical Center — a core pillar of our institutional strategic plan — we are writing to share an important update on space planning decisions that will shape how we deliver care over the coming years.”
“These decisions reflect the first phase of a longer, multi-year plan that will sequence investments to ensure we are delivering the right care in the right setting for our highest-acuity, most complex patients — consolidating and integrating shared resources to improve operational performance, and designing clinical environments aligned with the future of care delivery.” Read the full message on Connect.
UVA Health Hospital Violence Intervention Program (HVIP)
HVIP at UVA Health supports patients treated for injuries related to community violence. After discharge from the hospital or emergency department, patients are connected with ongoing services to support healing, improve safety, and reduce the risk of future violence. Through individualized case management, mentorship, and community partnerships, the program helps you rebuild stability and move forward with support and confidence. Learn more.
- How to Refer Patients:
- Send a message through Epic In Basket to: Hospital Violence Intervention Program (available 24/7).
- Submit community referrals via email at HVIP@uvahealth.org.
- Use the online referral form.
- Contacts (pictured, l-r): HVIP@uvahealth.org
- Brittany Nash, LCSW, HVIP Supervisor, 434.243.9197
- Brea Neilson, Violence Intervention Specialist, 434.924.2588
- Marty Terrell, Violence Intervention Specialist, 434.297.8114
Next Stop, Better
During National Safety Awareness Month in June — UVA Health team members supporting our 'Next Stop, Better’ campaign rode the buses and handed out first aid kits. The topic of discussion: keeping our commuters safe! Great ideas shared will be added to the list of improvements. Pictured: three of our team members who won July close-in parking. Keep the suggestions coming.
Happenings
Reflections of My World: The Art of Lynnette Driver
Through Thursday, July 23 | University Hospital Lobby | UVA Health Arts Program is pleased to present “Reflections of My World: The Art of Lynnette Driver.” Pictured: “Magic Forest,” acrylic, oil pastel, graphite.
UVA Pipelines and Pathways: 2026 Skill Building 101 Workshop Series
Through September | Via these in-person workshops, participants receive industry certificates to make them more competitive in the job market. Topics include OSHA bloodborne pathogens, patient safety and duty of care, essential medical terminology, and more. Learn about some key roles at UVA Health including patient companion, phlebotomist, pharmacy technician, and custodian. Free and open to the public. Registration required. Seating is limited; please attend the classes for which you register. Questions? Contact UVA Pipelines and Pathways or call 434.962.3996.
Market Square
Through Sept. 24 | Weekly, Thursdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Courtyard at MR5 | Shop for fresh produce, beautiful flowers, unique crafts, and delicious eats from local food trucks. Vendors include It’s Poppin’ Time, Little Manila, Mexican Tacos, Mr. Baker, Miss Day Delights, and Tealicious Cafe. Questions? Contact George Minor, UVA HR, Rewards and Recognition.
UVA Health Team Member and Health Awareness
To support our UVA Health mission of transforming health and inspiring hope — each month, we recognize team member and health awareness months, weeks, and days. See the latest list.
Donations Needed: Geri-Cart
University Medical Center Emergency Department (ED) had approximately 77,000 patient visits in 2025, with more than 20,000 of those patients being age 65 or older. Last year, a task force was formed with a focused initiative to improve outcomes and care for geriatric ED patients. One of the goals of this task force is to create a Geri-Cart to provide comfort and sensory items for elderly patients, especially those with dementia. Needed items: reusable pocket talkers and extra headsets, fidget cuffs, and fidget blankets. Questions? Email Dina Hood. View the Amazon wish list. Thank you to all who have donated — this cart continues to be hugely successful. Your donations have improved the care and hospital experience of this patient population.
July: Foodworks Schedule
Monday-Friday | 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-9 p.m. | University Hospital, Chopp’d location, cafeteria | Foodworks is a dining platform that creates community through food by partnering with the best local restaurants and showcasing them to build connections. Its mission is to celebrate culinary creativity, culture, and community. This service provides a weekly rotation of local restaurants. Schedule and menus:
- July 1-3: Al Carbon
- July 6-10: Shenandoah Smoke Catering
- July 13-17: Pearl Island Foods
- July 20-24: Beacon
- July 27-31: Crozet Seafood Supply
Donate Blood: Roll Up Your Sleeve and Help
Battle Building, Quayle Center, first floor | There is a critical need for blood donors to make appointments now — help us keep the blood supply strong! To register, contact Sharon Jones. Swag alert: collectible American Red Cross Looney Tunes T-shirt (through July 12) and Fandango movie ticket (July 13-31).
- Monday, July 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Thursday, July 30 | 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
- Friday, July 31 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sign Up to Be Shadowed During the Summer Medical Leadership Program
Deadline: Friday, July 10 | SMLP is a six-week, intensive, residential summer program for pre-medical students interested in becoming physicians. Current physicians: consider signing up for opportunities to be shadowed during SMLP, which is offered by UVA School of Medicine. This summer, 31 scholars will experience the real world of medicine through clinical shadowing, MCAT preparation, professional development, near-peer mentorship, and more to prepare for admission to medical school and become leaders. Learn more and sign up to be shadowed. For more information, contact Ashley Woodard, Ed.D., Director of Student Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Office of Medical Sciences Outreach, UVA School of Medicine.
3rd Annual Gun Violence Summit: Community Care and Response
Thursday, July 16 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Piedmont Virginia Community College, Bolick Center | Community leaders, youth, professionals, and stakeholders will come together to address violence, share resources, and build solutions. This year’s summit focuses on prevention, healing, and strengthening coordinated responses to violence — with an emphasis on supporting youth, individuals, and families impacted by violence as we work toward safer, stronger, and more connected communities. Questions? Contact Brittany Nash. Register.
Call for Submissions: Team Member Art Exhibit
Submission deadline: July 20 | Art submissions are being accepted for the Team Member Art Exhibit. Guidelines:
- No textile art or sculptures.
- Art must be framed or on a canvas stretcher (so it can be fitted with security hardware).
- Submit no more than two pieces of art.
- No art over 48”x48”.
To submit: Mark your name, title of the piece (including medium), and price on the back of the art. Deliver your submissions to Anne Brown in McKim 3115a. If the door is closed, deliver art to Room 3071 in the Patient Care Services hallway in McKim Hall. The exhibit will run July 23-Sept. 17. Questions? Email Anne Brown.
Kahuna Competency Management System
Go-live: Monday, July 20 | UVA Health University Medical Center competency documentation for nursing and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is changing in 2026 as we move to the Kahuna Competency Management System. Keep an eye out here for information so you can stay informed and prepared:
- Resources:
- Kahuna Welcome video (7.5 minutes)
- Kahuna flyer for posting
- UVA Health Kahuna implementation web page
- What will Kahuna do for us? It means we are moving from a paper-based competency documentation to a digitized system for new hires and annual competencies.
- Training:
- Leaders: June 21-July 11
- End users: July 12-Aug. 1
- Training:
- Who will this impact? The initial phase will impact inpatient, outpatient, perioperative, and procedural areas for RN, LPN, medical assistant (MA), certified nursing assistant (CNA), patient care technician (PCT), Emergency Department (ED) technician, dialysis technician, orthopedic technician, and social work roles.
SAIL: Stay Active and Independent for Life
Starts Tuesday, July 21 | Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. | Stay strong, steady, and social with SAIL — a free four-week strength, balance, fitness, and mindfulness class for adults. Learn more.
Exploring Confidence: Strategy, Trust, and the Narrative
Tuesday, July 21 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Join this Hoos Well reward-eligible webinar to demystify confidence and reframe it as a skill that can be built through preparation, strategy, self-awareness, and intentional action. Part of Hoos Well and FEAP’s Thrive Together webinar series. Learn more.
Apply: 2026 UVA Mini-Medical School
Deadline: Monday, Aug. 3 | This premier, free, seven-week educational series is open to undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the public who want a unique glimpse into the world of medicine and health science. The program takes place Wednesdays, Sept. 2-Oct. 14, 6:30-9 p.m. Space is limited; one application per person. To learn more and access the application form (beginning July 1), visit the Mini-Medical School website or apply directly via Qualtrics. Questions? Email minimed@virginia.edu.
Appreciation
UVA Health Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Cardiology Collaboration Makes an Impact — From Charlottesville to California
UVA Health’s mission: transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians — and beyond. And in this case, way beyond — to the West Coast and another health system!
Pictured from left: Garretson “Garry” Gellert PT, DPT; Kristin Cady, MSN, RN, CNL, CCRN, CNML, Nurse Manager, Coronary Care Unit, and interim Nurse Manager, Cardiac Monitoring Unit; and Steven Phillips, PhD, MD, Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology, and Assistant Professor, UVA School of Medicine. They're among the team members who helped launch a rehabilitation project focused on ambulating patients who require an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) via femoral (thigh and groin area) access.
On Connect, get to know these and other team members involved, the project, and some of the patients who’ve greatly benefited — from UVA Health University Medical Center to Santa Clara!
