Leadership Video: Why You Should Take the Engagement Survey

We are more than halfway through the 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey period, and we are making great progress with nearly 60% of our team members participating to date. This survey provides one of the most powerful channels for sharing your voice and will only take a few minutes to complete. If you haven’t completed the confidential survey yet, now is the time. UVA School of Medicine faculty is participating in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Standpoint Faculty Engagement Survey, and all other team members are participating in the Press Ganey survey. To take the survey, check your email for a personalized invitation dated Oct. 4, or team members (excluding School of Medicine Faculty) can access the Press Ganey survey here. Watch a video from leadership discussing the importance of everyone completing the survey.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 1:19 p.m. Oct. 31)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Oct. 31)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

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

Ambulatory

Ambulatory Role Delineation Project Will Hold Virtual Town Halls Nov. 2 and 9

The Ambulatory Role Delineation (ARD) Project team will be hosting two virtual town halls in the coming weeks to answer your biggest project questions and provide implementation support:

• Wednesday, Nov. 2 | noon-12:45 p.m. | For Ambulatory directors and managers
• Wednesday, Nov. 9 | noon-12:45 p.m. | For Ambulatory team members

Advance questions are encouraged. Please submit them to the project team at ambulatoryroledelineation@uvahealth.org. Webex links will be sent to directors and managers to share and are posted on the project intranet page.

Operations

Expect Delays: Main OR Instrument Washer Replacement

Anticipated end date: Thursday, Nov. 10 | Instrument washers in the Main Operating Room have reached the end of their useful life and are being replaced. The new washers will accommodate more instrument trays and will support faster daily instrument turnaround, which will be a much-needed boost to production. While this work is underway, instrument backlogs and delays are expected. In addition, there are certain times when all instrument washers will be unavailable:

• 4-8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2
• 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, to 5 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
• 4-8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9

The Central Sterile Services team will be coordinating additional resources to help triage the most urgently needed items to maintain overall instrument flow. Continue to deliver dirty items to the decontamination area via the standard procedure.

Coming Soon: Updates to Epic’s Health Maintenance Tool

Go-live on Tuesday, Nov. 1 | Updates to Epic’s Health Maintenance activity will help increase cancer screening, improve clinical workflow, and provide other functionality enhancements. Key changes:

• Automated enrollment in cervical cancer screening plans
• Displaying more Health Maintenance reminders in MyChart
• A new manual plan for annual thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) monitoring

For more information, please refer to the overview of these changes.

Leadership

A Few Spots Remain: Breakfast With the CEO

McKim Hall, Room 3001 | A few slots are left for Dr. Craig Kent’s breakfast and conversation events in the coming months. These small-group breakfasts are a great opportunity for our teams to share their experiences and offer ideas to help shape the future of our organization. Sign up.

Human Resources

PTO Cash Out Opens Soon

• Info for Medical Center Team Members: Medical Center team members with over 40 hours of paid time off (PTO) may request a PTO cash out Nov. 3-13. As the end of the calendar year approaches, now is a good time to log in to Workday and review your “use or lose” PTO hours. Cash-out process instructions will be sent via email on the morning of Nov. 3, and are available on the UVA Payroll website. Team members can receive help completing the PTO cash-out process directly in Workday from Workday Digital Assist. Refer to Medical Center Human Resources Policy No. 315 for details on the PTO benefit. 
• Info for UPG Team Members: UPG team members with over 80 hours of accrued PTO may submit a PTO cash-out request of up to 40 hours Nov. 17-27 (note: updated dates). Instructions will be sent via email and will be available in the Workday announcements section starting Nov. 17. Refer to the UPG Leaves of Absence Policy for details about the UPG PTO leave benefit.

Happenings

Prostate Cancer Support Group | Sharing Our Strength

Starts Tuesday, Nov. 1 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | University Baptist Church | 1223 West Main St. | The Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center is offering a three-month in-person and virtual prostate cancer support group. The group, led by UVA Health oncology social workers, will create a safe environment in which patients support one another. Follow-up dates will be on Dec. 6 and Jan. 3. To participate virtually, please provide an email address when registering. A video link will be sent before the first session. To register, contact Gwenevere Milton at 434.297.4870.

Thriving Over 40 & Beyond: Women’s Midlife Health and Well-Being Webinar

Tuesday, Nov. 1 | 7-8 p.m. | Learn about UVA's commitment to women's lifelong health and well-being and the work of our Midlife Health Center, one of the only multidisciplinary centers in the country to specialize in caring for women over 40. A panel discussion will feature Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, a nationally recognized expert in women's midlife health and division director of UVA's Midlife Health Center, and Dr. Paola Gehrig, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and renowned specialist in gynecologic oncology. Renee Grisham will moderate the discussion, and an audience Q&A will follow. Wendy Horton, CEO of UVA Health Medical Center, will offer opening remarks. Register.

Last Chance: Earn College Credits and Advance in Your Career With UVA Edge

Deadline for Spring Session: Tuesday, Nov. 1 | UVA Edge is a part-time, online program for working adults. Students earn 20 undergraduate credits while building career and digital skills. UVA Edge is covered by the UVA education benefit for eligible employees and is ideal for students without college experience or with less than 30 credits. Learn more. Contact edge@virginia.edu with questions.

Final Days to Apply for the 2022 Charles L. Brown Award

Deadline: Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 5 p.m. | The Charles L. Brown Award for Patient Care Quality recognizes care teams who work 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 for excellence in patient care. Apply here. Questions? Contact Jeff Lucas, Director, Performance Improvement, at 434.243.1755 or jl2bd@virginia.edu. 

Schwartz Center Rounds | GRIT

Friday, Nov. 4 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Auditorium | Join colleagues from across UVA Health for in-person Schwartz Center Rounds to reflect and share about how you are affected by your work. The goal of the program is to foster and support empathy, collaboration, and compassion for self and others. Panelists include Patrick Ahern, APRN; Robyn Evans, MEd; Elaine Finley, LCSW; Joy Miller, MSN, PNP, RN; William Petersen Jr., MD; and Grace Sandridge, MSN, RN. Continuing Education credits are available, and grab-and-go box lunches will be provided to the first 40 people to arrive. Send questions to Hannah Crosby at hrw5x@virginia.edu. Register.

Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Awards Nominations

Deadline: Friday, Nov. 4. | Nominations are now being accepted for the Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Awards. This award recognizes outstanding University staff or team members who demonstrate dedication to service through individual efforts, group contributions, and commitment to our larger community. Currently employed, salaried, and non-probationary University staff, classified staff, UPG staff, UVA Health team members, and Contingent Workers (UVA Foundation, Aramark, Morrisons) are eligible for consideration. Faculty are ineligible for this award. Honorees will receive a $1,000 monetary award and an engraved gift. Nominate.

Fall Back Celebration

Early morning of Sunday, Nov. 6 | midnight-2 a.m. | University Hospital Cafeteria | Enjoy food and raffle prizes and talk to representatives from the Rewards & Recognition team, Hoos Well, UVA Police/Safety & Security, and the Faculty & Employee Assistance Program. Leaders will deliver snack boxes to team members who are not able to come to the cafeteria. The Rewards & Recognition team will also deliver items to Pegasus, the Call Center, and the Cardiac Monitoring Unit.

State of the School of Medicine Address

Thursday, Nov. 10 | 5-6 p.m. | Claude Moore Medical Education Auditorium (Room 3110) | School of Medicine Dean Melina Kibbe will reflect on the past year in this annual address. 

Appreciation

University Physicians Orange Drives Down Patient Readmission Rate Down By 14%

The primary care team at University Physicians Orange has reduced the readmission rate of their patient population from 19% in 2019 to 5.08% today — a 14-point decrease that also places them well below the national average hospital readmission rate of 15.5%. The secret of their success? A strategic emphasis on Transitional Care Management (TCM). TCM occurs during the transition between an inpatient facility and the community and is especially important for patients with chronic conditions who may be more vulnerable during this period. Keeping readmission rates low helps improve health outcomes and manage healthcare costs.

In Orange, TCM starts with the clinic’s RN care coordinators contacting patients by phone within 48 hours after discharge from an inpatient facility to assess their status and address any immediate concerns. They also schedule a clinic visit with the patient’s primary care physician within 14 days of discharge. Last year, University Physicians Orange completed 314 TCM visits, and they plan to expand the program by providing patients with home monitoring devices such as blood pressure cuffs and oximeters. Kudos to RN Care Coordinators Chanel Hammer and Meador Horne and the clinicians at University Physicians Orange for a job well done!

PREVIOUS UPDATE

Friday, Oct. 28, 2022

Team Member Flu Vaccination Update

• Vaccination compliance deadline: Friday, Dec. 2
• Deadline for filing exemption requests: Friday, Nov. 18
• Flu shots appointments can be scheduled at Employee Health Monday-Friday:
  • Schedule Pfizer bivalent in Vaxtrax (Can receive flu vaccine at same time if desired.)
  • Schedule flu vaccine alone by calling the Employee Health Access Team 434.924.2013

Walk-in Flu Shot Clinics

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 1:49 p.m. Oct. 28)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Oct. 28)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

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

Ambulatory

New: Stay on Top of Changes With the Ambulatory Operations Progress Report

The inaugural edition of the Ambulatory Operations Progress Report was launched on Thursday, Oct. 27, featuring updates on One Team United on Access, the Ambulatory Role Delineation project, leveraging data-driven performance metrics, and more. This new monthly report from the Chief Ambulatory Operations Officer and the Associate Chief Medical Officers aims to keep leaders, team members, and other stakeholders informed and engaged, while setting the stage for achieving the envisioned future of Ambulatory Operations. Read the report.

Mark Your Calendars for ARD Town Halls

The Ambulatory Role Delineation (ARD) Project team will be hosting two virtual town halls in the coming weeks to provide implementation support to Ambulatory directors and managers and answer team members’ questions:

• Wednesday, Nov. 2 | noon-12:45 p.m. | ARD Town Hall for Ambulatory directors and managers
• Wednesday, Nov. 9 | noon-12:45 p.m. | ARD Town Hall for Ambulatory team members

Advance questions are encouraged! Please submit them to the project team at ambulatoryroledelineation@uvahealth.org. WebEx links will be sent to directors and managers to share and are posted on the project intranet page.

Operations

Coming Soon: Updates to Epic’s Health Maintenance Tool

Go-live on Tuesday, Nov. 1 | Updates to Epic’s Health Maintenance activity will help increase cancer screening, improve clinical workflow, and provide other functionality enhancements. Key changes:

• automated enrollment in cervical cancer screening plans
• displaying more Health Maintenance reminders in MyChart
• a new manual plan for annual thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) monitoring

For more information, please refer to the overview of these changes.

Expect Delays: Main OR Instrument Washer Replacement

Anticipated end date: Thursday, Nov. 10 | Instrument washers in the Main Operating Room have reached the end of their useful life and are being replaced. The new washers will accommodate more instrument trays and will support faster daily instrument turnaround, which will be a much-needed boost to production. While this work is underway, instrument backlogs and delays are expected. In addition, there are certain times when all instrument washers will be unavailable:

• 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, to 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30
• 4-8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2
• 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, to 5 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
• 4-8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9

The Central Sterile Services team will be coordinating additional resources to help triage the most urgently needed items to maintain overall instrument flow. Continue to deliver dirty items to the decontamination area via the standard procedure.

Human Resources

Complete the Open Enrollment Survey for a Chance to Win Free Tickets to UVA Basketball and Football Games

Deadline: Monday, Oct. 31 | Human Resources is looking for feedback on your experience during Open Enrollment to improve the process for next year. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win free tickets to the UVA men’s basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 6, vs. James Madison or the UVA football game on Saturday, Nov. 19, vs. Coastal Carolina. Complete the survey now.

Happenings

Last Call for Socktober: Donate Socks for Feet in Need

Through Monday, Oct. 31 | Cafés | Support Socktober by donating socks and qualify for prizes. Bins for socks will be stationed at the cafés in the following locations: University Hospital Cafeteria, Wahoo West Café, the OR waiting room, Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, Orthopedic Center at Ivy Road, and Fontaine. When dropping off socks, ask for the retail manager on duty who will record how many socks are being collected from your area. The three departments that bring in the most socks (accounting for department size) will receive prizes. Socks will be donated to The Salvation Army. Questions? Contact Chadwick French, Director of Retail, at cf4cp@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Find donation locations and read more on Connect.

Celebrate the School of Nursing’s First-Ever Accent Day With International Food and Stories

Monday, Oct. 31 | noon-2 p.m. | McLeod Hall | Enjoy free international fare from Palestine, Latin America, and Asia. Marianne Baernholdt, School of Nursing Dean, will share words and stories. The event is organized by second-year BSN student Abdallah Majer Al Jarjawi and his fellow English-as-a-second-language students.

Prostate Cancer Support Group | Sharing Our Strength

Starts Tuesday, Nov. 1 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | University Baptist Church | 1223 West Main St. | The Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center is offering a three-month in-person and virtual prostate cancer support group. The group, led by UVA Health oncology social workers, will create a safe environment in which patients support one another. Follow-up dates will be on Dec. 6 and Jan. 3. To participate virtually, please provide an email address when registering. A video link will be sent before the first session. To register, contact Gwenevere Milton at 434.297.4870.

Thriving Over 40 & Beyond: Women’s Midlife Health and Well-Being Webinar

Tuesday, Nov. 1 | 7-8 p.m. | Webinar | Learn about UVA's commitment to women's lifelong health and well-being and the work of our Midlife Health Center, one of the only multidisciplinary centers in the country to specialize in caring for women over 40. A panel discussion will feature Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, a nationally recognized expert in women's midlife health and division director of UVA's Midlife Health Center, and Dr. Paola Gehrig, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and renowned specialist in gynecologic oncology. Renee Grisham will moderate the discussion, and an audience Q&A will follow. Wendy Horton, CEO of UVA Health Medical Center, will offer opening remarks. Register.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers who need a headshot (or updated one) for the provider directory are invited to stop by to get their photo taken. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Friday, Nov. 11 | 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 17 | 2-5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 29 | 8-11 a.m.

Schwartz Center Rounds | GRIT

Friday, Nov. 4 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Auditorium | Join colleagues from across UVA Health for in-person Schwartz Center Rounds to reflect and share about how you are affected by your work. The goal of the program is to foster and support empathy, collaboration, and compassion for self and others. Panelists include Patrick Ahern, APRN; Robyn Evans, MEd; Elaine Finley, LCSW; Joy Miller, MSN, PNP, RN; William Petersen Jr., MD; and Grace Sandridge, MSN, RN. Continuing Education credits are available, and grab-and-go box lunches will be provided to the first 40 people to arrive. Send questions to Hannah Crosby at hrw5x@virginia.edu. Register.

Due Soon: Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Awards Nominations

Through Friday, Nov. 4 | Nominations are now being accepted for the Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Awards. The awards recognize outstanding University staff or team members who demonstrate dedication to service through individual efforts, group contributions, and commitment to our larger community. Currently employed, salaried, and non-probationary University staff, classified staff, UPG staff, UVA Health team members, and Contingent Workers (UVA Foundation, Aramark, Morrisons) are eligible for consideration. Faculty are ineligible for this award. Honorees will receive a $1,000 monetary award and an engraved gift. Nominate.

Fall Back Celebration

Early morning of Sunday, Nov. 6 | midnight-2 a.m. | University Hospital Cafeteria |Enjoy food and raffle prizes and talk to representatives from the Rewards & Recognition team, Hoos Well, UVA Police/Safety & Security, and the Faculty & Employee Assistance Program. Leaders will deliver snack boxes to team members who are not able to come to the cafeteria. The Rewards & Recognition team will also deliver items to Pegasus, the Call Center, and the Cardiac Monitoring Unit.

State of the School of Medicine Address

Thursday, Nov. 10 | 5-6 p.m. | Claude Moore Medical Education Auditorium (Room 3110) | School of Medicine Dean Melina Kibbe will reflect on the past year in this annual address.

Reminder: Veterans, Send Us Your Photo and Story

Deadline: Thursday, Nov. 10 | If you're a UVA Health team member who is also a veteran, we would like to include you in celebration posts on Connect and in the UVA Health Update on Nov. 11. To participate, email a photo of you in uniform and send the below information to uvaconnect@virginia.edu.

• Name, title, job at UVA Health?
• In which branch did you serve? What was your rank? When did you serve? What was your job in the military?
• What does Veterans Day mean to you?
• How did your military experience impact your role in healthcare? Does it affect how you care for patients, conduct research, or train students?

The Therapeutic Use of Self in the Land of ALS

Thursday, Nov. 17 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Auditorium | Jim Plews-Ogan, MD, Associate Professor Emeritus in Pediatrics, retired in March 2022 due to a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Dr. Plews-Ogan discusses “The Therapeutic Use of Self in the Land of ALS” in this 2022 McGehee Lecture. Learn more.

Now Open: 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., University of Virginia Health System Award

Due Friday, Dec. 9 | 4 p.m. | This award is presented to a student, faculty, or staff member of the health system who embodies Dr. Martin Luther King's values and teachings in cultural competence, healthcare disparities, or fostering an environment of inclusiveness, in accordance with the institution's mission and values. To nominate, please email a completed packet including a nomination form and letter of support in a Word document or PDF to Margaret Natter Bernhardt, dtm3fq@uvahealth.org. Questions? Call 434.297.7013. Read more on Connect.

Appreciation

Dr. Tracey Hoke Meets With The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

On Wednesday, Oct. 19, Tracey Hoke, MD, Chief, Quality and Performance Improvement, participated in a meeting of The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), the sole body of advisors from outside the federal government charged with making science, technology, and innovation policy recommendations to the President of the United States and the White House. PCAST was seeking ideas from hospital leaders to improve patient safety and quality in U.S. healthcare.

“Because this is a science and technology committee, we focused on ideas in this arena,” says Dr. Hoke. “Changes in the healthcare workforce are our greatest challenge, so we suggested that any technology advances to support training, or ways to hardwire best practices, would be most beneficial to patients. Technologies that streamline documentation and offload work from providers would also be welcomed. The group discussed the need for reliable, predictive modeling tools to provide early warning of a patient’s decline as another way to support a relatively young and sometimes transient workforce. We talked about electronic health records and the need to have real interoperability between systems so that we can see all records for all patients.” The group also discussed the need for focused support for harmonization of clinical data entry, deliberate collection and curation of social determinants of health risks, and hardwired connections to local resources. The conversation ended with a long discussion about clinical data collection and benchmarking versus reliance on administrative, or billing, data. Thank you, Dr. Hoke, for representing UVA Health, making technology recommendations to this council, and advocating for ways to improve patient safety and quality at UVA, in Virginia, and across the country.

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022

Sign Up to Decorate a Wreath to Support UVA Cancer Patients

The UVA Cancer Center Wreath Auction is back after a hiatus due to COVID. This year, wreath auctions will occur at the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center (ECCCC) and UVA Cancer Center Augusta. UVA Health will provide the wreath bases, you provide the creativity! Sign up to reserve a wreath to decorate. Supplies limited, so reserve early. Pick-up times for the wreath bases:

• Thursday, Nov. 3 | 1-6 p.m. 
• Friday, Nov. 4 | 7 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Pick-up and drop-off will occur in the ECCCC lobby and at the front desk of Augusta. Team members must drop off their completed wreaths on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Wreaths will be auctioned in December to raise money for UVA Health cancer patients experiencing barriers to care, such as funds for travel and lodging while receiving treatment. Questions? Contact Haeli Knox at hnk3zh@virginia.edu.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 1:35 p.m. Oct. 26)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Oct. 26)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

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

UVA Health Now Offering Bivalent COVID Boosters for 5-11 Year Olds

Starting today, multiple UVA Health locations are offering the Pfizer bivalent COVID booster for children ages 5-11:

• Pediatric clinics at Northridge, the Battle Building, and Orange for existing patients.
• UVA Health Outpatient Pharmacy at the Education Resource Center is booking appointments through UVA Health Vaccine Call Center (Call 434.297.4829, Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.).
• Select UPG clinics will also begin administering these boosters when supply is available.

Important notes for clinic teams and providers:

• Pfizer 5-11 COVID boosters will be a separate vial formulation than the monovalent primary series vial.
• Pfizer bivalent vaccine vials are a 10-dose multi-dose vial and stored at refrigeration. The vial REQUIRES DILUTION.
• Safety alert! The Pfizer bivalent booster vial has an Orange top and looks similar to the original Pfizer 5-11 year-old vaccine supply. Please make sure these are stored separately and not used interchangeably.
• Resources/tip sheets: The UVA COVID Vaccine Protocol has been updated.

Speaking of Vaccines: Answering Questions About Vaccinations on the Medical Center CEO Blog

In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, introduces Dr. Costi Sifri’s comprehensive guide to this year’s vaccination climate and quick reference guide. Read more.

Operations

Nationwide Shortage of Albumin 5% May Continue Into 2023

Due to the supply shortage, we are essentially out of albumin 5% except for a few aliquots that are restricted to the OR and renal units. Alternatives — including albumin 25%, which is still available — will need to be used when albumin is necessary. Here are practices to follow:

• For pheresis, refer to unit specific guidelines for alternatives.
• For general use, if 5% albumin is needed, please use 25% albumin as a substitute with the following IV fluids:
  • For 12.5 g of albumin 5%: Give 50 mL of albumin 25% with 200 mL of normal saline or dextrose 5%
  • For 25 g of albumin 5%: Give 100 mL of albumin 25% with 400 mL of normal saline dextrose 5%. 

UVA Health is continuing to track albumin 5% usage rates and supply availability. We are looking at usage throughout the institution to ensure we are following best practices and identifying opportunities to use albumin based on best practice.

Expect Delays: Main OR Instrument Washer Replacement

Anticipated end date: Thursday, Nov. 10 | Instrument washers in the Main Operating Room have reached the end of their useful life and are being replaced. The new washers will accommodate more instrument trays and will support faster daily instrument turnaround, which will be a much-needed boost to production. While this work is underway, instrument backlogs and delays are expected. In addition, there are certain times when all instrument washers will be unavailable:

• 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, to 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30
• 4-8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2
• 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, to 5 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
• 4-8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9

The Central Sterile Services team will be coordinating additional resources to help triage the most urgently needed items to maintain overall instrument flow. Continue to deliver dirty items to the decontamination area via the standard procedure.

Reminder: Clinical and Operational Documents Have Moved to PolicyTech from KnowledgeLink  

Our first dedicated document management system, PolicyTech, has launched. Because PolicyTech makes document access and management much easier, this is an important and positive change for everyone who uses, creates, reviews, and approves clinical and operational guidance documents. Important details:

• Clinical and operational documents including policies, clinical practice guidelines, and standard work stored on KnowledgeLink have moved to PolicyTech.
• Documents will continue to be available on KnowledgeLink for a short transition period (1-2 weeks). Users are encouraged to become familiar with PolicyTech prior to the end of this transition period.
• PolicyTech can be accessed through a desktop icon using uvahealth.org email address.
• Works with single sign-on shared workstations.

FAQs and training are available. Questions? Email PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.

Smishing Alert: Be Wary of Fraudulent Texts

It was recently reported that scammers are using the name of a member of UVA Health leadership to solicit the purchasing of gift cards. If you receive a suspicious text message, do not reply, click on links, or share personal information. And remember, UVA Health leadership will never ask you for payment or personal information via text message. The Federal Communications Commission recently issued an advisory about an uptick in suspicious texts like these. Learn how to identify, report, and protect yourself against smishing attacks.

Leadership

Sign Up Today: Strategic Plan Virtual Coffee Talks With Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer

Grab your coffee and learn more about UVA Health’s first enterprise-wide strategic plan, One Future Together | Hope and Health for All, by joining a virtual coffee talk session with Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer. Jason will share details of our plan and discuss how we will work together to put the strategic plan in action to achieve our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond. Don’t miss this great opportunity to join in the conversation about UVA Health’s bright future. All UVA Health team members are invited to attend:

• Monday, Oct. 31 | 7-8 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 14 | 7-8 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 28 | noon-1 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 12 | noon-1 p.m.

Space is limited. Please email Peggy Pasternak at PSP3P@uvahealth.org to RSVP.

Human Resources

PTO Cash Out Opens Soon

• Info for Medical Center Team Members: Medical Center team members with over 40 hours of paid time off (PTO) may request a PTO cash out Nov. 3-13. As the end of the calendar year approaches, now is a good time to log in to Workday and review your “use or lose” PTO hours. Cash-out process instructions will be sent via email on the morning of Nov. 3, and are available on the UVA Payroll website. Team members can receive help completing the PTO cash-out process directly in Workday from Workday Digital Assist. Refer to Medical Center Human Resources Policy No. 315 for details on the PTO benefit. 
• Info for UPG Team Members: UPG team members with over 80 hours of accrued PTO may submit a PTO cash-out request of up to 40 hours Nov. 11-27. Instructions will be sent via email and will be available in the Workday announcements section starting Nov. 11. Refer to the UPG Leaves of Absence Policy for details about the UPG PTO leave benefit.

New Engagement Survey Participation Numbers Are In; All Team Members Are Encouraged to Offer Feedback

Deadline: Friday, Nov. 11 | New participation numbers are in for this year’s engagement survey:

• Press Ganey 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey: 58% participation
• AAMC StandPoint Survey: 63% participation

The majority of team members have provided feedback, but we still need everyone’s participation to help chart our course for transformational change. If you haven’t completed the confidential survey yet, now is the time. To take the survey, check your email for a personalized invitation, or team members (excluding School of Medicine Faculty) can access the Press Ganey survey here. UVA School of Medicine faculty is participating in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Standpoint Faculty Engagement Survey, and all other team members are participating in the Press Ganey survey.

Want a Chance to Win Free Tickets to UVA Basketball and Football Games? Complete the Open Enrollment Survey Today 

Deadline: Monday, Oct. 31 | HR is looking for feedback on your experience during Open Enrollment to improve the process for next year. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win free tickets to the UVA Men’s Basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 6, vs. James Madison or the UVA Football game on Saturday, Nov. 19, vs. Coastal Carolina. Complete the survey now.

Community

Give to the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign

Through Monday, Dec. 19 | The annual Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) is an opportunity for UVA team members to support nonprofits doing important work in the Charlottesville area and across the state. In the past 24 years, UVA employees have raised $18 million, surpassing not only every Virginia college and university but all state agencies. Contribute today. Learn more on Connect.

Happenings

Prostate Cancer Support Group | Sharing Our Strength

Starts Tuesday, Nov. 1 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | University Baptist Church | 1223 West Main St. | The Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center is offering a three-month in-person and virtual prostate cancer support group. The group, led by UVA Health oncology social workers, will create a safe environment in which patients support one another. Follow-up dates will be on Dec. 6 and Jan. 3. To participate virtually, please provide an email address when registering. A video link will be sent before the first session. To register, contact Gwenevere Milton at 434.297.4870. 

Thriving Over 40 & Beyond: Women's Midlife Health and Well-Being Webinar

Tuesday, Nov. 1 | 7-8 p.m. | Webinar | Learn about UVA's commitment to women's lifelong health and well-being and the work of our Midlife Health Center, one of the only multidisciplinary centers in the country to specialize in caring for women over 40. A panel discussion will feature Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, a nationally recognized expert in women's midlife health and division director of UVA's Midlife Health Center, and Dr. Paola Gehrig, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and renowned specialist in gynecologic oncology. Renee Grisham will moderate the discussion, and an audience Q&A will follow. Wendy Horton, CEO of UVA Health Medical Center, will offer opening remarks. Register.

2022 Virginia Film Festival

UVA Health is sponsoring two films at this year’s Virginia Film Festival:

• “Dani’s Twins” | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Culbreth Theatre | Details and tickets | This documentary challenges audiences to confront and overcome prejudices and assumptions about people with disabilities, while at the same time sharing a window into a remarkable couple’s unconventional and beautiful journey to parenthood.
• “Stay Awake” | Friday, Nov. 4 | 8-10:15 p.m. | The Paramount Theater | Details and tickets | The film illustrates scenarios familiar to households struggling with addiction through a sympathetic but watchful lens.

Schwartz Center Rounds | GRIT

Friday, Nov. 4 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Auditorium | Join colleagues from across UVA Health for in-person Schwartz Center Rounds to reflect and share about how you are affected by your work. The goal of the program is to foster and support empathy, collaboration, and compassion for self and others. Panelists include Patrick Ahern, APRN; Robyn Evans, MEd; Elaine Finley, LCSW; Joy Miller, MSN, PNP, RN; William Petersen Jr., MD; and Grace Sandridge, MSN, RN. Continuing Education credits are available, and grab-and-go box lunches will be provided to the first 40 people to arrive. Send questions to Hannah Crosby at hrw5x@virginia.edu. Register.

State of the School of Medicine Address Rescheduled

New date: Thursday, Nov. 10 | 5-6 p.m. | Claude Moore Medical Education Auditorium (Room 3110) | School of Medicine Dean Melina Kibbe will reflect on the past year in this annual address. 

Appreciation

Recognizing Small Gestures That Mean the World to Those We Serve

Recently, a team member helped a visitor with wayfinding, and this act of kindness left a meaningful impression on the visitor. The team member was aware and caring enough to notice this visitor was nervous about riding the elevator, so he went out of his way to make them feel comfortable. This is what the visitor said:

“I encountered a male RN on my way up to Neurology. I was looking for a way to get to the fourth floor without taking the elevator as I am claustrophobic. This RN asked me if he could help me, offered to ride the elevator with me, and distracted me the whole time. He was even going to ask someone to ride back down with me. It was incredibly kind, and it kinda felt like an angel sent to help.”

We know amazing moments like these happen much more often than they are captured, so thank you for always being “an angel sent to help” even when no one is watching. 

Monday, Oct. 24, 2022

PolicyTech Goes Live

Today, Monday, Oct. 24, our first dedicated document management system, PolicyTech, has launched. PolicyTech makes document access and management much easier. Clinical and operational documents including policies, clinical practice guidelines, and standard work stored on KnowledgeLink have moved to PolicyTech. Details:

• Documents will continue to be available on KnowledgeLink for a short transition period (1-2 weeks). Users are encouraged to become familiar with PolicyTech prior to the end of this transition period.
• PolicyTech is accessed through a desktop icon using YourUserID@uvahealth.org.
• Works with single sign-on shared workstations.

FAQs and training are available. Questions? Email PolicyTechAdmin@uvahealth.org.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 12:49 p.m. Oct. 24)

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

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

Operations

Links From Epic to UVA Medical Center Resource Documents Remain

Links are being reviewed in preparation for the integration of Community Health onto the Medical Center Epic platform. In response to feedback and questions from Medical Center team members, Epic links to Medical Center clinical resource documents that are essential to clinical practice will not be removed. These links are embedded within Order Sets, Order Panels, Nursing Orders, Flowsheets Medications, and other pages. Going forward, a curation process for maintaining existing and developing new links in Epic is being developed, likely at the Patient Care Committee level. For questions concerning Epic links, please submit a 2Epic ticket.

Leadership

A Few Spots Remain: Breakfast With the CEO

McKim Hall, Room 3001 | A few slots are left for Dr. Craig Kent’s breakfast and conversation events in the coming months. These small-group breakfasts are a great opportunity for our teams to share their experiences and offer ideas to help shape the future of our organization. Sign up.

Human Resources

Complete the Open Enrollment Survey for a Chance to Win Free Tickets to UVA Basketball and Football Games

Deadline: Monday, Oct. 31 | HR is looking for feedback on your experience during Open Enrollment to improve the process for next year. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win free tickets to the UVA Men’s Basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 6, vs. James Madison or the UVA Football game on Saturday, Nov. 19, vs. Coastal Carolina. Complete the survey now.

Engagement Survey Participation Is Rising; All Team Members Are Encouraged to Offer Feedback

Deadline: Friday, Nov. 11 | Participation numbers are steadily increasing for the Press Ganey 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey and AAMC StandPoint Survey. The surveys offer team members an opportunity to provide direct feedback about how we are succeeding and where we have opportunities to be even better. Everyone’s thoughtful and candid responses will help chart our course for transformational change.

If you haven’t completed the confidential survey yet, now is the time. To take the survey, check your email for a personalized invitation, or team members (excluding School of Medicine Faculty) can access the Press Ganey survey here. UVA School of Medicine faculty is participating in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Standpoint Faculty Engagement Survey, and all other team members are participating in the Press Ganey survey.

Happenings

Cybersecurity Awareness Month | Phishing Attacks

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month at UVA Health. Check out the UVA Health Cybersecurity Awareness Month webpage to review this week’s takeaway topic: Recognize and Report Phishing Attacks. Learn how to identify and report phishing attempts to prevent ransomware and other malware attacks.

Medical Center Hour | CDC’s Action-Oriented Response to Public Health

Wednesday, Oct. 26 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom only | Speaker: Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. This Hayden-Farr Lecture in Virology and Epidemiology is co-presented with the Department of Medicine.

Webinar: Sustaining Personal Resilience in Challenging Times

Wednesday, Oct. 26 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | UVA Professor Lili Powell, an expert in leading people and organizations mindfully, will describe how resilience works and what practical tools are available to help grow your own resilience and that of your team. Register.

Celebrate the School of Nursing's First-Ever Accent Day With International Food and Stories

Monday, Oct. 31 | noon-2 p.m. | McLeod Hall | Enjoy free international fare from Palestine, Latin America, and Asia. Marianne Baernholdt, School of Nursing Dean, will share words and stories. The event is organized by second-year BSN student Abdallah Majer Al Jarjawi and his fellow English-as-a-second-language students.

It’s Socktober: One Week Left to Donate Socks for Feet in Need

Through Monday, Oct. 31 | Cafés | Support Socktober by donating socks and win prizes. Bins for socks will be stationed at the cafés in the following locations: University Hospital Cafeteria, Wahoo West Café, the OR waiting room, Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, Orthopedic Center at Ivy Road, and Fontaine. When dropping off socks, ask for the retail manager on duty who will record how many socks are being collected from your area. The top three departments that bring in the most socks (accounting for department size) will receive prizes. Socks will be donated to The Salvation Army. Questions? Contact Chadwick French, Director of Retail, at cf4cp@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Find donation locations and read more on Connect.

Prostate Cancer Support Group | Sharing Our Strength

Starts Tuesday, Nov. 1 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | University Baptist Church | 1223 West Main St. | The Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center is offering a three-month in-person and virtual prostate cancer support group. The group, led by UVA Health oncology social workers, will create a safe environment in which patients support one another. Follow-up dates will be on Dec. 6 and Jan. 3. To participate virtually, please provide an email address when registering. A video link will be sent before the first session. To register, contact Gwenevere Milton at 434.297.4870.

Earn College Credits and Advance in Your Career With UVA Edge

Deadline for Spring Session: Tuesday, Nov. 1 | UVA Edge is a part-time, online program for working adults. Students earn 20 undergraduate credits while building career and digital skills. UVA Edge is covered by the UVA education benefit for eligible employees and is ideal for students without college experience or with less than 30 credits. Learn more online, or join a free virtual information session on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Contact edge@virginia.edu with questions.

Apply Now: 2022 Charles L. Brown Award

Deadline: Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 5 p.m. | The Charles L. Brown Award for Patient Care Quality recognizes care teams who work 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 for excellence in patient care. Apply here. Questions? Contact Jeff Lucas, Director, Performance Improvement, at 434.243.1755 or jl2bd@virginia.edu.

Now Open: Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Awards Nominations

Through Friday, Nov. 4. | Nominations are now being accepted for the Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Awards. This award recognizes outstanding University staff or team members who demonstrate dedication to service through individual efforts, group contributions, and commitment to our larger community. Currently employed, salaried, and non-probationary University staff, classified staff, UPG staff, UVA Health team members, and Contingent Workers (UVA Foundation, Aramark, Morrisons) are eligible for consideration. Faculty are ineligible for this award. Honorees will receive a $1,000 monetary award and an engraved gift. Nominate.

Appreciation

Happy Diwali!

Cultural celebrations provide the opportunity to recognize the complexities and richness of each cultural identity. At UVA Health, it is important that we all understand and appreciate these cultural stories and journeys that contribute richly to the greater American narrative. Diwali, or Deepavali, is a festival of lights that has been celebrated for over 2,500 years. In India, this is the biggest holiday of the year and lasts five days. The dates of the Diwali festival are determined by the India calendar and change every year, ranging from October to November. This year, the festival is celebrated Oct. 22-26, with Diwali being celebrated on Oct. 24. Diwali is celebrated by Hindus around the world, but other religions, such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism observe this holiday as well. This is a beautiful celebration of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Learn more.

PREVIOUS UPDATES

Friday, Oct. 21, 2022

We Need Everyone’s Participation in Our 2022 Engagement Surveys

Deadline: Friday, Nov. 11 | Participation numbers are increasing for the Press Ganey 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey and AAMC StandPoint Survey, however, we have some more work to do to reach 100% participation. If you haven’t completed the confidential survey yet, now is the time.

Both surveys are an important opportunity for every team member to provide direct feedback about how we are succeeding and where we have opportunities to be even better. Everyone’s thoughtful and candid responses will help chart our course for transformational change. To take the survey, check your email for a personalized invitation, or team members (excluding School of Medicine Faculty) can access the Press Ganey survey here. UVA School of Medicine faculty is participating in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Standpoint Faculty Engagement Survey, and all other team members are participating in the Press Ganey survey.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 2:49 p.m. Oct. 21)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Oct. 21)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

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

Operations

PolicyTech Launch Will Not Include Removal of Embedded Epic Links

In response to feedback and questions from team members, links to clinical resource documents embedded in Epic will not be removed when our new document management platform, PolicyTech, goes live on Monday, Oct. 24. These links are embedded within Order Sets, Order Panels, Nursing Orders, Flowsheets Medications, and other pages. To ensure that only the appropriate users have access to these links, they are being designed to restrict access by UVA Community Health users. In addition, a curation process is under development for existing and new links going forward, likely at the Patient Care Committee level. For details about the PolicyTech implementation, refer to the Oct. 18 email from Dr. Tracey Hoke or read it on Connect. Questions? Contact Kristine Hall at KRH3E@uvahealth.org or Kerri Murphy at KDM5D@uvahealth.org.

Construction Alert | Lane Road

Saturday, Oct. 22 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Lane Road will be partially closed between the hospital’s loading dock and Crispell Drive and will impact MR-4 permit holders. Parallel parking in front of MR-4 will be closed during this time and access to the loading dock will be limited. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk on Lane Road in front of MR-4.

UVA Night Tour: Suggest Areas or Issues to Examine for Safety

Deadline: Sunday, Oct. 23 | The UVA Security and General Safety Committee is soliciting suggestions for its upcoming Fall Night Tour to be held in November. Committee members walk areas around Grounds in darkness to assess physical safety conditions, particularly lighting, pathways, crosswalks, infrastructure hazards, and emergency phones. To suggest places or issues for the committee to examine, please fill out this short survey through Oct. 23. You can upload photographs, maps, or diagrams. Questions? Contact Tim Eckert, Special Assistant to the Chief of Police and Associate Vice President of Safety and Security, at tre8g@virginia.edu.

Team Member Notice: Email Migration Project

UVA Health Information and Technology (HIT) is migrating team member email software from Microsoft Outlook to Microsoft 365 (M365), which will enhance collaboration capabilities and provide a consistent email product for all UVA Health entities, including UVA Community Health. The following will be migrated to M365 in a phased approach by the end of the calendar year:

• Team member email accounts
• Shared group email accounts
• Meeting/Resource room calendars

When it is time for your email account to be migrated to M365, you will receive an email from HIT (email@uvahealth.org) that includes instructions and timelines one week before your scheduled migration date. An email reminder will be sent the weekday before the migration (i.e., if your migration is scheduled for a Monday, you will receive your email reminder the Friday before). Notification emails will contain a subject line starting with “Microsoft 365 Migration.” Please be on the lookout for your notification in the coming weeks and months.

Black Faculty and Staff-Employee Resource Group

The Black Faculty and Staff-Employee Resource Group (BFSERG) serves as a representative voice for Black faculty and staff in matters related to intellectual, professional, and emotional betterment within the UVA community and beyond. The group actively engages in the recruitment, mentorship, collegiality, professional development, and retention of its members and promotes an inclusive environment that benefits the University and local communities. Subscribe to the BFSERG newsletter for resource and event information. Learn more.

Leadership

From the September UVA Health Town Hall: Your Questions Answered

During the UVA Health Town Hall on Sept. 27, leaders made time to answer questions from the team. While many questions were answered during the event, the leaders were unable to address them all due to time constraints. Answers to the unanswered submitted questions were recently published on Connect. Submitted questions that contained personal information or situations were forwarded to appropriate leaders for direct follow-up and outreach. If you missed the meeting, catch up by watching the speed-watcher’s guide. If you would like to share feedback about the meeting, please email YourTownHall@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. 

Happenings

“Fantastic Single Molecule Technologies and Where to Find Them”

Monday, Oct. 24 | 4-5 p.m. | Claude Moore Medical Education Building | Auditorium | Taekjip Ha, PhD, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, presents the 2022 John F. Anderson Distinguished Lecture. Reception to follow in the first-floor lobby. Read more. 

Medical Center Hour | CDC’s Action-Oriented Response to Public Health

Wednesday, Oct. 26 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom only | Speaker: Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. This Hayden-Farr Lecture in Virology and Epidemiology is co-presented with the Department of Medicine. 

Celebrate the School of Nursing's First-Ever Accent Day With International Food and Stories

Monday, Oct. 31 | noon-2 p.m. | McLeod Hall | Enjoy free international fare from Palestine, Latin America, and Asia. Marianne Baernholdt, School of Nursing Dean, will share words and stories. The event is organized by second-year BSN student Abdallah Majer Al Jarjawi and his fellow English-as-a-second-language students.

Complete the Open Enrollment Survey for a Chance to Win Free Tickets to UVA Basketball and Football Games

Deadline: Monday, Oct. 31 | HR is looking for feedback on your experience during Open Enrollment to improve the process for next year. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win free tickets to the UVA Men’s Basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 6, vs. James Madison or the UVA Football game on Saturday, Nov. 19, vs. Coastal Carolina. Complete the survey now.

UVA Cancer Center Wreath Auction Returns 

The UVA Cancer Center Wreath Auction is back after a hiatus due to COVID. This year, wreath auctions will occur at the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center (ECCCC) and UVA Cancer Center Augusta. UVA Health will provide the wreath bases, you provide the creativity! Sign up to reserve a wreath to decorate. Supplies limited, so reserve early. Pick-up times for the wreath bases:

• Thursday, Nov. 3 | 1-6 p.m. 
• Friday, Nov. 4 | 7 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Pick-up and drop-off will occur in the ECCCC lobby and at the front desk of Augusta. Team members must drop off their completed wreaths on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Wreaths will be auctioned in December to raise money for UVA Health cancer patients experiencing barriers to care, such as funds for travel and lodging while receiving treatment. Questions? Contact Haeli Knox at hnk3zh@virginia.edu.

Schwartz Center Rounds | GRIT

Friday, Nov. 4 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Auditorium | Join colleagues from across UVA Health for in-person Schwartz Center Rounds to reflect and share about how you are affected by your work. The goal of the program is to foster and support empathy, collaboration, and compassion for self and others. Panelists include Patrick Ahern, APRN; Robyn Evans, MEd; Elaine Finley, LCSW; Joy Miller, MSN, PNP, RN; William Petersen Jr., MD; and Grace Sandridge, MSN, RN. Continuing Education credits are available, and grab-and-go box lunches will be provided to the first 40 people to arrive. Send questions to Beeca Lin bl7zb@virginia.edu. Register.

The Therapeutic Use of Self in the Land of ALS

Thursday, Nov. 17 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Auditorium | Jim Plews-Ogan, MD, Associate Professor Emeritus in Pediatrics, retired in March 2022 due to a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Dr. Plews-Ogan discusses “The Therapeutic Use of Self in the Land of ALS” in this 2022 McGehee Lecture. Learn more.

Now Open: Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Awards Nominations

Through Friday, Nov. 4 | Nominations are now being accepted for the Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Awards. This award recognizes outstanding University staff or team members who demonstrate dedication to service through individual efforts, group contributions, and commitment to our larger community. Currently employed, salaried, and non-probationary University staff, classified staff, UPG staff, UVA Health team members, and Contingent Workers (UVA Foundation, Aramark, Morrisons) are eligible for consideration. Faculty are ineligible for this award. Honorees will receive a $1,000 monetary award and an engraved gift. Nominate.

Appreciation

A Shoutout to the Breast Care Center!

Today’s Appreciation goes out to the team at the Breast Care Center. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so they have a lot of activity this time of year, but this team is rocking it year-round. A team member recently shared her personal experience with the team and wanted to make sure they know they are appreciated. Here is what she had to say:  

“I have had a couple of absolutely amazing experiences with the staff at the Pantops Breast Care Clinic. I am lucky in that I’ve only really ever needed the Breast Care Clinic for preventative care. I found out a few years ago that I am at high risk for breast cancer due to significant family history and then ended up in their clinic when they found swollen lymph nodes on my first MRI (they turned out to just be from the COVID vaccine, thank goodness!). The care that team provided me during the scary ultrasounds and biopsies was amazing, and every single followup I’ve had with them has been wonderful. Their communication is top-notch, and their compassion is unmatched. I want to recognize them for all the amazing work they do!”

Reminder: Veterans, Send Us Your Photo and Story

If you're a UVA Health team member who is also a veteran, we would like to include you in celebration posts on Connect and in the UVA Health Update on Nov. 11. To participate, email a photo of you in uniform and send the below information to uvaconnect@virginia.edu. 

• Name, title, job at UVA Health?
• In which branch did you serve? What was your rank? When did you serve? What was your job in the military?
• What does Veterans Day mean to you?
• How did your military experience impact your role in healthcare? Does it affect how you care for patients, conduct research, or train students?

Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022

Next Week: PolicyTech Go-Live

Monday, Oct. 24 | An important and positive change is about to happen at UVA Health for everyone who uses, creates, reviews, and approves clinical and operational guidance documents. On Monday, Oct. 24, our first dedicated document management system, PolicyTech, will go live. PolicyTech will make document access and management much easier and also support our transition to a common Epic platform for all UVA Health entities. For details on implementation, refer to the Oct. 18 email or read it on Connect. Questions? Contact Kristine Hall at krh3e@uvahealth.org or Kerri Murphy at kdm5d@uvahealth.org.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 2:49 p.m. Oct. 19)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Oct. 19)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

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

UVA Health to Begin Scheduling Bivalent COVID Boosters for 5-11 Year Olds

Booster administration begins Wednesday, Oct. 26 | Starting Oct. 20, UVA Health will be scheduling Pfizer bivalent COVID booster appointments for a new group of patients, children between the ages of 5 and 11. Appointments are available at multiple locations:

• Pediatric clinics at Northridge, the Battle Building, and Orange for existing patients
• UVA Health Outpatient Pharmacy at the Education Resource Center is booking appointments through UVA Health Vaccine Call Center (Call 434.297.4829, Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
• Select UPG clinics will also begin administering these boosters when supply is available

Important notes for clinic teams and providers:

• Pfizer 5-11 COVID boosters will be a separate vial formulation than the monovalent primary series vial.
• Pfizer bivalent vaccine vials are a 10-dose multi-dose vial and stored at refrigeration. The vial REQUIRES DILUTION.
• Safety Alert! The Pfizer bivalent booster vial has an Orange top and looks similar to the original Pfizer 5-11 year-old vaccine supply. Please make sure these are stored separately and not used interchangeably.
• Resources/Tip sheets: The UVA COVID Vaccine Protocol is being updated and will be available here before Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Ambulatory

The ARD Project Will Impact 137 Ambulatory Clinics

The Ambulatory Role Delineation (ARD) Project, announced today by Chief Ambulatory Operations Officer John Bennett and Ambulatory Nursing Administrator Rachel Nauman, will create universal scope of practice and competency standards for roles across 137 UVA Ambulatory clinics. Read more on Connect about what these changes mean for patients and team members.

Operations

Annual Fit and TB Testing to Resume Soon

Many team members have been asking if annual respiratory fit testing and tuberculosis (TB) screenings will resume after being suspended during the COVID pandemic. The answer is yes! Employee Health now anticipates that the fit testing program will restart in January 2023 to ensure we comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines. Details will be forthcoming. In the meantime, any team member who wants to be fit tested can schedule an appointment at the new Employee Health facility on Brandon Avenue through VaxTrax.

Health System Policy OCH-002 requires all qualifying team members to complete a TB screening annually, and Employee Health is re-establishing this program as well. UVA Medical Center team members can schedule appointments for TB screenings by calling Employee Health (434.924.2013); Academic Division and UPG team members should schedule their TB screening at WorkMed (434.243.0075).

Team members will begin receiving birth-month email reminders about testing as soon as Employee Health addresses two major issues: replacing the systems and workflows that were in place pre-COVID but no longer exist and updating birth-month data on the occupational health electronic medical record. As Employee Health reports, “We are very close to resolving these issues, and will communicate more as soon as we can.”

Construction Alert | Fontaine Research Park

Thursday, Oct. 20 | 8-9 a.m. | The left turn lane (when exiting Fontaine) on Ray C. Hunt Drive will be partially blocked to allow for construction equipment. It will remain open near the intersection.

Construction Alert | Lane Road

Saturday, Oct. 22 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Lane Road will be partially closed between the hospital’s loading dock and Crispell Drive and will impact MR-4 permit holders. Parallel parking in front of MR-4 will be closed during this time, and access to the loading dock will be limited. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk on Lane Road in front of MR-4.

UVA Night Tour: Suggest Areas or Issues to Examine for Safety

Deadline: Sunday, Oct. 23 | The UVA Security and General Safety Committee is soliciting suggestions for its upcoming Fall Night Tour to be held in November. Committee members walk areas around Grounds in darkness to assess physical safety conditions, particularly lighting, pathways, crosswalks, infrastructure hazards, and emergency phones. To suggest places or issues for the committee to examine, please fill out this short survey through Oct. 23. You can upload photographs, maps, or diagrams. Questions? Contact Tim Eckert, Special Assistant to the Chief of Police and Associate Vice President of Safety and Security, at tre8g@virginia.edu.

Leadership

Sign Up Today: Strategic Plan Virtual Coffee Talks With Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer

Grab your coffee and learn more about UVA Health’s first enterprise-wide strategic plan, One Future Together | Hope and Health for All,  by joining a virtual coffee talk session with Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer. Jason will share details of our plan and discuss how we will work together to put the strategic plan in action to achieve our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond. Don’t miss this great opportunity to join in the conversation about UVA Health’s bright future. All UVA Health team members are invited to attend:

• Monday, Oct. 31 | 7-8 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 14 | 7-8 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 28 | noon-1 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 12 | noon-1 p.m.

Space is limited. Please email Peggy Pasternak at psp3p@uvahealth.org to RSVP.

Human Resources

2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey: Numbers Are Climbing

Deadline: Friday, Nov. 11 | As of Oct. 19, 48% of team members have taken the Press Ganey 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey,  and 50% of faculty have participated in the AAMC StandPoint survey. These surveys are an important opportunity for every team member to reflect and provide direct feedback about how we are succeeding and where we have opportunities to be even better. Your thoughtful and candid responses will help set us on a course for transformational change. To take the survey, check your email for a personalized invitation. Important to know:

• Your comments are confidential.
• All team members, with the exception of School of Medicine faculty, are participating in a survey administered by Press Ganey.
• UVA School of Medicine faculty is participating in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Standpoint Faculty Engagement Survey.

Everyone’s feedback is essential to achieving our bold new vision of being the nation’s leading public academic health system and best place to work. Access the Press Ganey survey here.

Community

Give to the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign

Through Monday, Dec. 19 | The annual Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) is an opportunity for UVA team members to support nonprofits doing important work in the Charlottesville area and across the state. In the past 24 years, UVA employees have raised $18 million, surpassing not only every Virginia college and university but all state agencies. Contribute today. Learn more on Connect.

Additionally: In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, highlights the CVC as a special way to support many worthy causes right in our backyard. Read more.

Happenings

Pick Up a Button for International Pronouns Day

West Complex ID office | In honor of International Pronouns Day, the LGBTQ & Transgender Advisory Committee provided a basket of pronoun pins near the library today and invited team members to select a pronoun pin that matches their identity. These pins will continue to be available at the ID office in the West Complex. Allies can show support and give transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming patients and fellow team members the opportunity to self-identify.

Buy One, Get Three Tickets: UVA Women’s Soccer

Thursday, Oct. 20 | 7 p.m. | Tickets | This UVA women’s soccer game versus Wake Forest has been designated as a breast cancer awareness game. For each ticket purchased, UVA Health team members can redeem up to three complimentary tickets — that’s four tickets for the price of one! The first 400 fans receive a free pink T-shirt.

Recruitment Events: School of Nursing Information Sessions

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | Monday, Oct. 24 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | RSVP.
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) | Monday, Nov. 7 | 6-7 p.m. | Facebook Live | RSVP.
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) & Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | RSVP.

Webinar: Sustaining Personal Resilience in Challenging Times

Wednesday, Oct. 26 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | UVA Professor Lili Powell, an expert in leading people and organizations mindfully, will describe how resilience works and what practical tools are available to help grow your own resilience and that of your team. Register.

UVA Cancer Center Wreath Auction Returns

The UVA Cancer Center Wreath Auction is back after a hiatus due to COVID. This year, wreath auctions will occur at the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center (ECCCC) and UVA Cancer Center Augusta. UVA Health will provide the wreath bases, you provide the creativity! Sign up to reserve a wreath to decorate today. Supplies limited, so reserve early. Pick-up times for the wreath bases are:

• Thursday, Nov. 3 | 1-6 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 4 | 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

Pick-up and drop-off will occur in the ECCCC lobby and at the front desk of Augusta. Team members must drop off their completed wreaths on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Wreaths will be auctioned in December to raise money for UVA Health cancer patients experiencing barriers to care, such as funds for travel and lodging while receiving treatment. Questions? Contact Haeli Knox at hnk3zh@virginia.edu.

2022 Virginia Film Festival

UVA Health is sponsoring two films at this year’s Virginia Film Festival:

• "Dani’s Twins" | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Culbreth Theatre | Details and tickets | This documentary challenges audiences to confront and overcome prejudices and assumptions about people with disabilities, while at the same time sharing a window into a remarkable couple’s unconventional and beautiful journey to parenthood.
• "Stay Awake" | Friday, Nov. 4 | 8-10:15 p.m. | The Paramount Theater | Details and tickets | The film illustrates scenarios familiar to households struggling with addiction through a sympathetic but watchful lens.

Appreciation

Amit Shahane, PhD, Advocates for Integrated Behavioral Health During Congressional Briefing

On Oct. 11, the Association of American Medical Colleges hosted a virtual congressional briefing, “Confronting the Mental Health Crisis: The Value of a Team-Based Approach.” The briefing outlined the value of integrated behavioral health (IBH), a model of care in which primary and specialty care providers work directly with behavioral health clinicians to address the medical, behavioral, and social determinants of health and well-being. Over 100 congressional staff and other attendees participated in the briefing.
 
On the panel of behavioral health experts was UVA Health’s Amit Shahane, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences. He provided attendees with an overview of IBH, detailing how these models differ from traditional models of behavioral healthcare. In a traditional model, if a medical provider identifies a behavioral health condition during a visit, they can provide a referral to a specialty mental health clinic, but the onus is on the individual patient to fulfill the referral. Due to workforce shortages and network adequacy challenges, it is often difficult for patients to identify a behavioral health provider who accepts their insurance. Shahane explained how IBH models can help address this challenge and connect patients to care by embedding behavioral health providers in primary care and specialty care settings, such as at UVA Health. He concluded by summarizing the robust body of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of IBH models at expanding access to care and reducing wait times, improving mental health outcomes, and promoting patient and provider satisfaction. Thank you, Dr. Shahane, for advocating for better care for patients!

PREVIOUS UPDATES

Monday, Oct. 17, 2022

Provider Alert: Shortage of Albumin 5% Necessitates Conservation Steps

Due to an ongoing nationwide shortage, shipments of albumin 5% continue to be on backorder from drugmakers. Based on our current usage rates, we have approximately a two-week supply of albumin 5% on hand. We will be tracking usage rates and will follow up with formal guidelines as needed. To help conserve our supply, we have centralized our remaining 5% albumin to central pharmacy for use in the OR and renal units. When clinically appropriate, providers should use alternatives such as albumin 25%, which is still available. Instead of 5% albumin, please use 25% albumin with the following IV fluids:

• For 12.5 g of albumin 5%: Give 50 mL of albumin 25% with 200 mL of normal saline or dextrose 5%.
• For 25 g of albumin 5%: Give 100 mL of albumin 25% with 400 mL of normal saline or dextrose 5%.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 2:04 p.m. Oct. 17)

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

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

Vaccinators Needed for UVA Health Programs

Paid vaccinators are needed for the following groups:

• Team member vaccinations | Employee Health needs support in administering COVID-19 boosters and flu shots to team members on weekdays and weekends. To sign up, contact vaccine coordinator Valerie Goodman, RN, at VAB4U@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.
• Community COVID testing/vaccination events | MAs, LPNs, and RNs are needed to provide COVID-19 vaccinations at weekly events for vulnerable community members in Charlottesville. See schedule below. Please use this link to sign-up. Contact Amy Luu at al2hf@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu if you have questions.
  • Mondays | 6-7:30 p.m. | Church of the Incarnation
  • Tuesdays | 5:30-7 p.m. | Mt. Zion Church

Patient Care

Prevnar 20 Pneumonia Vaccine Will Be Available to Adult Patients 

Starts Thursday, Oct. 20 | UVA Health locations that now administer Prevnar 13 will receive supplies of Prevnar 20 (PCV20) for use in patients ages 19 and older. Those locations will continue to administer Prevnar 13 to patients who are 18 and younger. Over time, using Prevnar 20 will simplify the pneumococcal vaccine regimen for adults while providing good protection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed two tools that will be helpful to providers in determining which pneumonia vaccine is most appropriate for their patients. The first is a chart that can be shared, and the second is an app that will help physicians make individual patient decisions based on the patient’s age, condition, and previously received pneumonia vaccine type.

• Pneumococcal Vaccine Timing for Adults
• PneumoRecs VaxAdvisor: Vaccine Provider App

Operations

Construction Alert | Lane Road

Saturday, Oct. 22 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Lane Road will be partially closed between the hospital’s loading dock and Crispell Drive and will impact MR-4 permit holders. Parallel parking in front of MR-4 will be closed during this time and access to the loading dock will be limited. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk on Lane Road in front of MR-4.

UVA Night Tour: Suggest Areas or Issues to Examine for Safety

Deadline: Sunday, Oct. 23 | The UVA Security and General Safety Committee is soliciting suggestions for its upcoming Fall Night Tour to be held in November. Committee members walk areas around Grounds in darkness to assess physical safety conditions, particularly lighting, pathways, crosswalks, infrastructure hazards, and emergency phones. To suggest places or issues for the committee to examine, please fill out this short survey through Oct. 23. You can upload photographs, maps, or diagrams. Questions? Contact Tim Eckert, Special Assistant to the Chief of Police and Associate Vice President of Safety and Security, at tre8g@virginia.edu.

Human Resources

Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Take the 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey

1. It’s confidential | Your survey responses are kept private.  
2. It’s quick and easy | The survey will take only a few minutes of your time yet is an important opportunity for every team member to reflect and provide direct feedback about how we are succeeding and where we have opportunities to be even better.
3. Make a big impact | Sharing your opinion is important, and it becomes even more powerful when it’s combined with the voices of your colleagues. The survey results will provide definitive data and a cumulative voice to set us on a course for positive change.

All team members, with the exception of School of Medicine faculty, have been invited to complete a survey administered by Press Ganey. UVA School of Medicine faculty are participating in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Standpoint Faculty Engagement Survey. To take the survey, check your email for the personalized invitation sent on Oct. 4. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, Nov. 11. Thank you for sharing your voices and essential input as we work to achieve our vision to be the nation’s leading public academic health system and best place to work.

Happenings

Roll Up Your Sleeve, Donate Blood, and Save a Life

Wednesday, Oct. 19 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Quayle Learning Center, Battle Building, First Floor | This is the last scheduled in-house blood drive until December and an opportunity to support The American Red Cross – UVA Health’s primary supplier of blood products – in alleviating a severe blood shortage. Swag alert: All donors will receive a complimentary e-gift card. Details. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu or visiting redcrossblood.org. Read more on Connect.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month | Password Management Tools

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month at UVA Health. Check out the UVA Health Cybersecurity Awareness Month webpage to review this week’s takeaway topic: Use Trusted Password Management Tools and Strong Passwords. Take simple actions to craft and secure strong passwords and keep your digital life secure. 

“Fantastic Single Molecule Technologies and Where to Find Them”

Monday, Oct. 24 | 4-5 p.m. | Claude Moore Medical Education Building | Auditorium | Taekjip Ha, PhD, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, presents the 2022 John F. Anderson Distinguished Lecture. Reception to follow in the first-floor lobby. Read more. 

It’s Socktober: Donate Socks for Feet in Need

Through Monday, Oct. 31 | Cafés | Support Socktober by donating socks and win prizes. Bins for socks will be stationed at the cafés in the following locations: University Hospital Cafeteria, Wahoo West Café, the OR waiting room, Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, Orthopedic Center at Ivy Road, and Fontaine. When dropping off socks, ask for the retail manager on duty who will record how many socks are being collected from your area. The top three departments that bring in the most socks (accounting for department size) will receive prizes. Socks will be donated to The Salvation Army. Questions? Contact Chadwick French, Director of Retail, at cf4cp@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Find donation locations and read more on Connect.

Earn College Credits and Advance in Your Career With UVA Edge

Deadline for Spring Session: Tuesday, Nov. 1 | UVA Edge is a part-time, online program for working adults. Students earn 20 undergraduate credits while building career and digital skills. UVA Edge is covered by the UVA education benefit for eligible employees and is ideal for students without college experience or with less than 30 credits. Learn more online, or join a free virtual information session on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Contact edge@virginia.edu with questions.

Apply Now: 2022 Charles L. Brown Award

Deadline: Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 5 p.m. | The Charles L. Brown Award for Patient Care Quality recognizes care teams who work 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 for excellence in patient care. Apply here. Questions? Contact Jeff Lucas, Director, Performance Improvement, at 434.243.1755 or jl2bd@virginia.edu.

Appreciation

Thank You to Pharmacy Team Members and Medical Assistants

Today’s appreciation goes out to two special groups at UVA Health who are taking care of patients and deserve recognition:

• Happy National Pharmacy Week | National Pharmacy Week is a time to recognize the significant contributions pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy staff make to the healthcare team and to recognize their role in ensuring that our patients receive optimal outcomes from their medications. Pharmacy team members in our hospital, ambulatory care clinics, and outpatient pharmacies are essential in providing safe and effective medication use, patient care, and medication education. Please take a moment to thank a pharmacy team member!
• Happy Medical Assistants Recognition Week | The third full week of every October is Medical Assistants Recognition Week. In 2022, the theme is “Medical Assistants Are Magic.” Thank you to all medical assistants who work their magic and provide superlative patient care. You ensure healthcare reaches patients in the most effective and efficient way, and you are appreciated for all you do daily!

Friday, Oct. 14, 2022

Due Today: Select Your Benefits for 2023

Deadline: Friday, Oct. 14 | midnight | Choosing the right health plan option and benefit savings accounts is important for you and your family’s healthcare spending and financial well-being for the coming year. View plan changes and premiums on the Open Enrollment website before using the Open Enrollment event in Workday to select your 2023 benefits. For details, refer to the email sent from UVA Human Resources on Monday, Oct. 3, or the article on Connect.

• Reminder: HSA/FSA | Your 2022 elections for FSA and/or HSA will NOT automatically carry over to 2023. Visit the Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account webpages for more information.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 12:34 p.m. Oct. 14)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Oct. 14)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

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

Patient Care

UVA Health Will Make Prevnar 20 Pneumonia Vaccine Available to Adults

Starts Thursday, Oct. 20 | UVA Health locations that now administer Prevnar 13 will receive supplies of Prevnar 20 (PCV20) for use in patients ages 19 and older. Those locations will continue to administer Prevnar 13 to patients who are 18 and younger. Over time, using Prevnar 20 will simplify the pneumococcal vaccine regimen for adults while providing good protection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed two tools that will be helpful to providers in determining which pneumonia vaccine is most appropriate for their patients. The first is a chart that can be printed and posted or shared, and the second is an app that will help physicians make individual patient decisions based on the patient’s age, condition, and previously received pneumonia vaccine type.

• Pneumococcal Vaccine Timing for Adults
• PneumoRecs VaxAdvisor: Vaccine Provider App

Operations

Construction Alert | Partial Closure of Lane Road

Saturday, Oct. 15 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Lane Road will be partially closed between the hospital’s loading dock and Crispell Drive and will impact MR-4 permit holders. Parallel parking in front of MR-4 will be closed during this time, and access to the loading dock will be limited. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk on Lane Road in front of MR-4.

Shining Moments

Opening Channels for Two-Way Feedback and Communication

UVA Health leadership has made a commitment to open and honest communication — inviting all team members to engage with leadership and “Be Heard.” In support of this commitment, leadership has created new channels for sharing your voice and receiving genuine feedback. For example, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, started her Vision and Voice blog on the premise of using feedback and communication to “meet challenges head-on and uncover the opportunities that will continue to drive UVA Health to new heights.” Examples that resulted include We Hear You Wednesday reports, Be Heard Breakfasts, compensation adjustments, and the Earn While You Learn program. Other examples of "listening" across the health system have resulted in the SPARK competition and the completion of the Strategic Plan. A major two-way communications channel — this year’s engagement survey — is open now through Friday, Nov. 11. Leadership is asking that you take time to take this survey and provide direct feedback about where our organization is succeeding and where we have opportunities to grow. You can find your personalized survey invitation in your inbox, dated Tuesday, Oct. 4. Read more on Connect.

Leadership

Sign Up Today: Strategic Plan Virtual Coffee Talks With Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer

Grab your coffee and learn more about UVA Health’s first enterprise-wide strategic plan, One Future Together | Hope and Health for All,  by joining a virtual coffee talk session with Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer. Jason will share details of our plan and discuss how we will work together to put the strategic plan in action to achieve our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond. Don’t miss this great opportunity to join in the conversation about UVA Health’s bright future. All UVA Health team members are invited to attend:

• Monday, Oct. 31 | 7-8 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 14 | 7-8 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 28 | noon-1 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 12 | noon-1 p.m.

Space is limited. Please email Peggy Pasternak at PSP3P@uvahealth.org to RSVP.

A Few Spots Remain: Breakfast With the CEO

McKim Hall, Room 3001 | A few slots are left for Dr. Craig Kent’s breakfast and conversation events in the coming months. These small-group breakfasts are a great opportunity for our teams to share their experiences and offer ideas to help shape the future of our organization. Sign up.

Happenings

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Class

Mondays, Oct. 17-Dec. 12 | 4-6:30 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, Dec. 3 | Zoom | Register.

Physicians and APPs: Get a New Provider Directory Headshot

McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G045 | Physicians and advanced practice providers who need a headshot (or updated one) for the provider directory are invited to stop by to get their photo taken. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided.

• Tuesday, Oct. 18 | 7:30-10:30 a.m.
• Monday, Oct. 24 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 9 a.m.-noon
• Friday, Nov. 11 | 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 17 | 2-5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 29 | 8-11 a.m.

2022 Human Services Grant Award Luncheon Featuring Jennifer Breen Feist

Tuesday, Oct. 18 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Farmington Country Club, 1625 Country Club Circle, Charlottesville | During the luncheon, two non-profits serving local women and children will receive $20,000 grants, and Jennifer Breen Feist will share the progress of Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, which focuses on the mental health of our healthcare professionals. Learn more.

Roll Up Your Sleeve, Donate Blood, and Save a Life

Wednesday, Oct. 19 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Quayle Learning Center, Battle Building, First Floor | This is the last scheduled in-house blood drive until December and an opportunity to support The American Red Cross — UVA Health’s primary supplier of blood products — in alleviating a severe blood shortage. Swag alert: All donors will receive a complimentary e-gift card. Details. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu or visiting redcrossblood.org. Read more on Connect.

Now Open: Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Awards Nominations

Through Friday, Nov. 4. | Nominations are now being accepted for the Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Awards. This award recognizes outstanding University staff or team members who demonstrate dedication to service through individual efforts, group contributions, and commitment to our larger community. Currently employed, salaried, and non-probationary University staff, classified staff, UPG staff, UVA Health team members, and Contingent Workers (UVA Foundation, Aramark, Morrisons) are eligible for consideration. Faculty are ineligible for this award. Honorees will receive a $1,000 monetary award and an engraved gift. Nominate.

Appreciation

Calling All Veterans: Send Us a Photo and Share Your Story!

Veterans Day is on Friday, Nov. 11, and we know there are many veterans who work alongside us at UVA Health. We’d like to share your story. If you're a veteran and would like to be included in this celebration, email a photo of you in uniform and your answers to the questions below to uvaconnect@virginia.edu. (Or, if you're short on time, just send us a photo of you in uniform, and include your name, branch of service, and rank.)

• Name, title, job at UVA Health?
• In which branch did you serve? What was your rank? When did you serve? What was your job in the military?
• What does Veterans Day mean to you?
• How did your military experience impact your role in healthcare? Does it affect how you care for patients, conduct research, or train students?

This information will be published on Connect and shared in the UVA Health Update on Nov. 11. Thank you in advance.

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022

COVID Monovalent Boosters Deauthorized for Younger Age Groups Today (Bivalent Boosters Expected Soon) 

Earlier today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized bivalent formulations of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use as a single booster dose in younger age groups down to 5 years of age. Shortly after, the CDC updated their guidance to support updated bivalent boosters in this age group as well.

The monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is no longer authorized as a booster dose for individuals 5 through 11 years of age now that the bivalent booster vaccines are authorized. Both the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 monovalent vaccines continue to be authorized for primary series administration in individuals 6 months of age and older, with the age-appropriate vaccine formulation and dose. UVA Health is only using Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for appropriate pediatric patients. Distribution of the new bivalent Pfizer formulation is expected soon. The bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for those 12 years and older should not be administered to younger patients.

Any appointments for monovalent Pfizer boosters in children 5-11 years of age at UVA must be canceled at this time. These appointments can be rescheduled when the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines become available. Preordering of a Pfizer bivalent booster for this age group has begun and planning for their distribution is underway. More details will be shared as soon as possible.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 2:20 p.m. Oct. 12)

Workforce Impact (as of 4:30 a.m. Oct. 12)
UVA Health team members affected and on leave

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

Employee Health Needs Vaccinators 

Employee Health needs support in administering COVID-19 boosters and flu shots to team members on weekdays and weekends. To sign up, contact vaccine coordinator Valerie Goodman, RN, at VAB4U@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. 

Walk-In Flu Clinics 

Need to get a flu shot? Employee Health is offering the following walk-in clinics: 

• Thursday, Oct. 13 | 3-7 p.m. | University Hospital Dining Conference Rooms
• Saturday, Oct. 15 | 1-7 p.m. | University Hospital Dining Conference Rooms

The full flu-clinic schedule can be seen here. Please note that COVID booster shots will not be available at these walk-in clinics. To receive both the COVID booster and flu vaccines in one appointment, please schedule through VaxTrax. Check back often, as new appointments are opened when additional vaccinators become available.

Ambulatory

Enhancing the Experience for Patients and Team Members

The One Team United on Access project is developing an enterprisewide access model that will make it easier for patients to schedule appointments, a worthy effort we can all get behind. Leaders are hearing consistent questions about the impact of these changes on providers, Access Associates, and other team members. To clarify, here is what the One Team United on Access project is and what it is not:

• The project is:
  • Providing clear structures and pathways for patient scheduling
  • Empowering Access professionals with training and tools to best serve patients
  • Reducing the administrative burden for providers and clinic care teams
  • Supporting the Strengthening Our Foundation plank of our new strategic plan
•  The project is not:
  • Eliminating jobs by automating work
  • Mandating one way of doing things
  • Doing away with personalized service for our patients

The aim is to enhance the patient experience and in doing so, also enhance the workplace experience of team members. Anyone with outstanding questions should contact their manager or visit the project intranet site.

Leadership

Medical Center CEO Blog: The Power of Effective Collaboration

In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, highlights a few of the many champions of interprofessional collaboration at UVA Health. Read more.

Operations

UVA Health Pharmacy Ivy Road Has Opened

Our newest outpatient pharmacy opened for business on Monday, Oct. 10. Located on the first floor of the UVA Health Orthopedic Center, it is serving orthopedic patients, community members, and employees. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for a brief lunch break from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Prescriptions are accepted from UVA providers and non-UVA providers, and there is free parking on site. The Pharmacy team looks forward to serving all who come to their newest location!

Construction Alert | Partial Closure of Lane Road

Saturday, Oct. 15 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Lane Road will be partially closed between the hospital’s loading dock and Crispell Drive and will impact MR-4 permit holders. Parallel parking in front of MR-4 will be closed during this time, and access to the loading dock will be limited. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk on Lane Road in front of MR-4.

Change: HIT Now Reviewing and Approving Technology Proposals Annually

Deadline: Friday, Jan. 13, 2023 | Health Information and Technology (HIT) recently announced a change to the intake of technology proposals. Previously, proposals were accepted on a rolling basis, and starting immediately, there will be an annual intake cycle. This updated process assesses projects in alignment with annual budgeting and based on organizational priorities and strategic goals. Team members should analyze technology needs and potential acquisitions for the coming fiscal year and submit proposal(s) no later than Jan. 13, 2023, for consideration for the fiscal year 2024 portfolio. You may also resubmit proposals that were not previously selected. To learn more about HIT Governance, including the guiding principles for project selection, please visit the HIT Governance website, or contact Kevin Greenwood, Director, Health IT Initiatives & Portfolio, at KTG3H@uvahealth.org. Read more on Connect. 

Human Resources

Two Days Remain: Select Your Benefits for 2023

Through Friday, Oct. 14 | Choosing the right health plan option and benefit savings accounts is important for you and your family’s healthcare spending and financial well-being for the coming year. View plan changes and premiums on the Open Enrollment website before using the Open Enrollment event in Workday to select your 2023 benefits. For details, refer to the email sent from UVA Human Resources on Monday, Oct. 3, or the article on Connect.

• Reminder: HSA/FSA | Your 2022 elections for FSA and/or HSA will NOT automatically carry over to 2023. Visit the Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account webpages for more information.

The Time Is Now: About 64% of Team Members Still Need to Take the 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey

Deadline: Friday, Nov. 11 | The 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey is an important opportunity for every team member to reflect and provide direct feedback about how we are succeeding and where we have opportunities to be even better. Your thoughtful and candid responses will help set us on a course for transformational change. Following are some important facts about this year’s survey. 

• Your comments are confidential.
• All team members, with the exception of School of Medicine faculty, will participate in a survey administered by Press Ganey.
• UVA School of Medicine faculty will participate in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Standpoint Faculty Engagement Survey.

To take the survey, check your email for a personalized invitation. Thank you for sharing your voices and essential input as we work to achieve our bold new vision to be the nation’s leading public academic health system and best place to work.

Community

Give to the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign

Through Monday, Dec. 19 | The annual Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign is an opportunity for UVA team members to support nonprofits doing important work in the Charlottesville area and across the state. In the past 24 years, UVA employees have raised $18 million, surpassing not only every Virginia college and university, but all state agencies. Contribute today. Learn more on Connect.

Happenings

Hospital Auxiliary Book & Gift Sale

Through Friday, Oct. 14 | Brick link near Primary Care Center | Hours are as follows: Through 5 p.m. Wednesday; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday; and 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday. This sale is sponsored by and benefits the UVA Hospital Auxiliary.

Recruitment Events: School of Nursing Information Sessions

• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) | Wednesday, Oct. 12 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | RSVP.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | Monday, Oct. 24 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | RSVP.
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) | Monday, Nov. 7 | 6-7 p.m. | Facebook Live | RSVP.
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) & Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | RSVP.

Dr. Cornel West: The Idea of a University in Our Time

Thursday, Oct. 13 | 6 p.m. | Old Cabell Hall | The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary, Dr. Cornel West teaches about the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as well as courses in Philosophy of Religion, African American Critical Thought, the classics, philosophy, politics, cultural theory, literature, and music. Q&A will be moderated by Robert Trent Vinson, Director and Chair of the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African American & African Studies. Learn more.

Hispanic Heritage Month Event: A Tribute to Award-Winning Author Julia Alvarez

Thursday, Oct. 13, and Oct. 18-20 | A virtual discussion and reading marathon. Learn more.

2022 Human Services Grant Award Luncheon Featuring Jennifer Breen Feist

Tuesday, Oct. 18 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Farmington Country Club, 1625 Country Club Circle, Charlottesville | During the luncheon, two non-profits serving local women and children will receive $20,000 grants, and Jennifer Breen Feist will share the progress of Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, which focuses on the mental health of our healthcare professionals. Learn more. 

Webinar: Sustaining Personal Resilience in Challenging Times

Wednesday, Oct. 26 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | UVA Professor Lili Powell, an expert in leading people and organizations mindfully, will describe how resilience works and what practical tools are available to help grow your own resilience and that of your team. Register. 

Apply Now: 2022 Charles L. Brown Award

Deadline: Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 5 p.m. | The Charles L. Brown Award for Patient Care Quality recognizes care teams who work 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 for excellence in patient care. Apply here. Questions? Contact Jeff Lucas, Director, Performance Improvement, at 434.243.1755 or jl2bd@virginia.edu.

Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Awards Nominations Are Open

Through Friday, Nov. 4. | Nominations are now being accepted for the Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contributor Awards. This award recognizes outstanding University staff or team members who demonstrate dedication to service through individual efforts, group contributions, and commitment to our larger community. Currently employed, salaried, and non-probationary University staff, classified staff, UPG staff, UVA Health team members, and Contingent Workers (UVA Foundation, Aramark, Morrisons) are eligible for consideration. Faculty are ineligible for this award. Honorees will receive a $1,000 monetary award and an engraved gift. Nominate.

Appreciation

Nursing Supported Career Advancement and Education at Their Annual Fair

Thank you to everyone who came and participated in, helped coordinate, and otherwise made the recent Nursing & Healthcare Education Fair a success. The annual event provides information and resources to team members who wish to get into healthcare or pursue a nursing or higher healthcare degree. Overall, there were 85 participants, 12 school/program representatives, and nine volunteers. Represented programs included Radiography, Advanced Imaging, Surg Tech, Medical Lab Tech, CNA, CMA, LPN, Earn While You Learn, and all levels of nursing degrees. A special thank you goes to Chris Moubray, Nursing Professional Development Specialist, and the Professional Nurse Staffing Organization’s (PNSO) Professional Development Committee who hosted this event. Also, there was a drawing for free coffee cards, and the winners were Amy Woolley, Wenxia Li, and Melissa Johnson — congratulations! If you missed the event or want more information, view contacts and resources on the PNSO website.

Monday, Oct. 10, 2022

Due This Week: 2023 Benefits Open Enrollment

Through Friday, Oct. 14 | Choosing the right health plan option and benefit savings accounts is important for you and your family’s healthcare spending and financial well-being for the coming year. View plan changes and premiums on the Open Enrollment website before using the Open Enrollment event in Workday to select your 2023 benefits. For details, refer to the email sent from UVA Human Resources on Monday, Oct. 3, or the article on Connect.

• Reminder: HSA/FSA | Your 2022 elections for FSA and/or HSA will NOT automatically carry over to 2023. Visit the Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account webpages for more information.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 12:52 p.m. Oct. 10)

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

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

Patient Care

New Workflows Will Give Patients Easier Access to Video Visits

Go-live: Tuesday, Oct. 11 | The video visit workflow has been streamlined to simplify the process for both patients and front-line staff. The changes affect schedulers, front-desk team members, providers, and patients. Starting Oct. 11:

• Patients and proxies will not need a MyChart account to access their video visit.
• All patients will receive a reminder text three days before their video visit.
• All patients will receive a MyChart link via text and email at 6 a.m. on the day of their video visit.
• Schedulers will no longer need to manually send links. Using the new method, patients enter directly into the Pre-Visit Update screen.

Email Telemedicine@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu or HIT Help Desk with any questions. Learn more.

UVA Health Now Releasing Patient Test Results Daily, No More Weekend Hold Period

Go-live: Tuesday, Oct. 11 | Epic has begun releasing test results via MyChart to patients on a daily basis. This change eliminates the weekend hold period that was in effect for all test results, except those for COVID-19, which are auto-released to MyChart as soon as they are finalized. (Note: Some test result types will not auto-release at all. See the result-type exceptions to this schedule here.) This change is being made to:

• Better support patient needs and expectations and increase their satisfaction.
• Gain parity with other healthcare systems in terms of the time it takes for us to release test results to patients.
• Comply with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requirements and avoid fines for information blocking.

Main OR: Asymptomatic Admissions Testing for COVID-19

Begins Wednesday, Oct. 19 | To facilitate the timeliness of specimen collection for asymptomatic patients with a planned admission to a postoperative bed, the PeriAnesthesia Main OR Preop unit will begin specimen collection in Preop on Oct. 19. Testing will be proctored, self-collected mid-turbinate PCR specimens. This update applies only to patients who are asymptomatic and are being admitted to a postoperative bed location from Main OR. There is no change to existing asymptomatic admissions testing for the Health System.

• Provider reminder | Asymptomatic admissions testing orders should be placed prior to patient arrival in Preop location to communicate the need for collection to the preoperative team. Tip sheet.

Additional resources:

• COVID Admission Testing and Unit Placement Guiding Principles
• COVID-19 Surveillance Testing
• Epic Workflow for Universal Admission Testing for COVID19 in Asymptomatic Patients

Leadership

Town Hall Replay and Speed-Watcher’s Guide

If you missed the recent Town Hall, you can catch up with the speed-watcher’s guide on Connect. K. Craig Kent, MD, CEO, UVA Health, and other leaders discussed a range of topics and unveiled the new strategic plan: One Future Together | Health and Hope for All. Watch.

• Provide Feedback | UVA Health leadership wants to hear from you, and feedback on the Town Hall is welcome. Any comments can be shared through the Town Hall email: YourTownHall@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.

Operations

Walk-In Flu Clinics

Need to get a flu shot? Employee Health is offering the following walk-in clinics:

• Tuesday, Oct. 11 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | McKim Hall, Room 3001
• Tuesday, Oct. 11 | 3-7 p.m. | Pinn Hall
• Thursday, Oct. 13 | 3-7 p.m. | University Hospital Dining Conference Rooms
• Saturday, Oct. 15 | 1-7 p.m. | University Hospital Dining Conference Rooms

Please note that COVID booster shots will not be available at these walk-in clinics. To receive both the COVID booster and flu vaccines in one appointment, please schedule through VaxTrax. Check back often, as new appointments are opened when additional vaccinators become available.

Monthly Epic Update: Changes Go Live Tuesday, Oct. 11

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

Construction Alert | Partial Closure of Lane Road

Saturday, Oct. 15 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Lane Road will be partially closed between the hospital’s loading dock and Crispell Drive and will impact MR-4 permit holders. Parallel parking in front of MR-4 will be closed during this time, and access to the loading dock will be limited. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk on Lane Road in front of MR-4.

Sparks of Innovation Abound at UVA Health: Competition Outcomes Positively Impacts Many Areas

The inaugural year of UVA Health’s Spark Innovation Competition has ended with the announcement of six ideas selected for implementation. The competition, which was established to leverage the wisdom, energy, and dedication of our team members and bring positive change to our organization’s culture, was a resounding success and will run again next year. Read more.

Human Resources

2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey

Through Friday, Nov. 11 | The 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey is an important opportunity for every team member to reflect and provide direct feedback about how we are succeeding and where we have opportunities to be even better. Your thoughtful and candid responses will help set us on a course for transformational change. Following are some important facts about this year’s survey.

• Your comments are confidential.
• All team members, with the exception of School of Medicine faculty, will participate in a survey administered by Press Ganey.
• UVA School of Medicine faculty will participate in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Standpoint Faculty Engagement Survey.

To take the survey, check your email for a personalized invitation. Thank you for sharing your voices and essential input as we work to achieve our bold new vision to be the nation’s leading public academic health system and best place to work.

Happenings

It’s Socktober: Donate Socks for Feet in Need

Through Monday, Oct. 31 | Cafés | Support Socktober by donating socks and winning prizes. When dropping off socks, ask for the retail manager on duty who will record how many socks are being collected from your area. The top three departments that bring in the most socks (accounting for department size) will receive prizes. Socks will be donated to The Salvation Army. Questions? Contact Chadwick French, Director of Retail, at cf4cp@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Find donation locations and read more on Connect.

Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month | Together We Scan

Tuesday, Oct. 11 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | UVA Health Medical Center Dining Conference Rooms 1, 2 & 3 | Celebrate Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month with UVA Health’s echocardiographers, sonographers, and vascular technologists. Highlights of the event include live ultrasound demonstrations, Q&As, hands-on demonstrations, ultrasound procedures and protocols, ergonomics Information and equipment display, raffles, and snacks. For more information, contact Alisa Wartella at ARH3D@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.

Active Attacker Prevention, Response, and Notification Training

Tuesday, Oct. 11 | noon-1 p.m. | Newcomb Hall, South Meeting Room | Although incidents of active attackers at universities and medical centers are rare, the impact on the individuals and communities affected cannot be overstated. In this 60-minute training, the Department of Safety & Security will discuss what University Threat Assessment, Emergency Management, and University Police are doing to prevent and, if needed, respond to and notify the UVA community about an active attacker event. Participants will learn about Emergency Notifications, how to report concerning behavior, and easy-to-remember options for people who are faced with a violent situation. This training is free and open to all students, employees, faculty, and staff of the Academic and UVA Health divisions. For more information, contact Rachel Slotter, Office of Emergency Management, at ras5zm@virginia.edu. Register.

In October: Save a Life, Donate Blood

1-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19 | Quayle Learning Center, Battle Building, First Floor | The American Red Cross, UVA Health’s primary supplier of blood products, is facing a severe blood shortage. You can help by donating blood. Appointments required. Swag alert: All donors will receive a complimentary e-gift card. Details. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu or visiting redcrossblood.org. Read more on Connect.

Medical Center Hour | The Purpose of the Pelvic Exam: A Historical Analysis

Wednesday, Oct. 12 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium or Zoom |Featuring speaker Wendy Kline, PhD, Dema G. Seelye Chair in the History of Medicine, Director, Medical Humanities Program, Department of History, at Purdue University. A History of the Health Sciences Lecture co-presented with the History of the Health Sciences Lecture Series.

Refugee Mental Health and Adaptation

Wednesday, Oct. 12 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual | This four-part series is for clinical providers and relevant community members to gain awareness of the unique challenges and resources for providing mental healthcare for refugee patients. Register.

Mindfulness Classes

• Advanced Mindful Leadership Training Class | Wednesdays, Oct. 12-Dec. 7 | 4-6 p.m. | Zoom | Register. Learn more.
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Class | Mondays, Oct. 17-Dec. 12 | 4-6:30 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, Dec. 3 | Zoom | Register.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month | Multi-Factor Authentication

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month at UVA Health. Check out the UVA Health Cybersecurity Awareness Month webpage to review this week’s takeaway topic: Embrace Multi-Factor Authentication. Create extra barriers against threat actors by enabling multi-factor authentication on your accounts at both work and home.

Appreciation

Congratulations Nursing Scholarship Awardees!

Recently, 81 team members learned they would be receiving a nursing scholarship. This year’s scholarship awards again totaled $90,000 — twice the amount given out before 2021! In addition to our traditional support of UVA nurses seeking BSN and advanced nursing degrees, this continued extra funding again extended support to CNAs, Specialty Technicians, Access Associates, and so many more in taking their first classes toward a nursing career. Congratulations and best wishes in your education endeavors! (Photo: Kris Blackstone, RN, Assistant Nurse Manager, received a scholarship in 2021 to pursue a Master’s in Nursing and a Master’s in Health Administration to lead “our teams to be better and stronger than we were pre-pandemic.”)

Friday, Oct. 7, 2022

Vaccines Now Available for Patients at High Risk of Exposure to Monkeypox Virus

We continue to monitor the impact of monkeypox in the communities we serve and want to keep you informed about the resources available to our patients. Providers caring for individuals with possible exposure to the monkeypox virus now have two vaccination pathways to consider:

• UVA Health COVID and Special Pathogens Clinic | We are now offering Jynneos vaccines to patients eligible to receive monkeypox expanded post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP++). Vaccination is for patients with certain risk factors who are more likely to have been recently exposed to monkeypox but do not have a documented known exposure.
  • How to Refer | An appointment is required, and you can refer eligible patients by placing an “Ambulatory Referral Monkeypox Vaccine” order in Epic [REF228]. To conserve limited vaccine supplies and avoid waste, patients are being scheduled on select clinic days. 
• Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD)| Patients with a known monkeypox exposure are eligible to receive the Jynneos vaccine for postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP) as part of contact tracing efforts. The sooner an exposed person gets the vaccine, the better. Monkeypox vaccinations are also available at BRHD for community members who are at high risk of being exposed to it (PEP++). 
  • How to Refer | When appropriate, clinicians can direct patients to the monkeypox vaccine interest survey to register on BRHD website. Patients residing in other Virginia health districts can register for an appointment by logging onto VASE+ and searching under the “Monkeypox” tab for their ZIP code.

For information about the groups that are eligible for vaccination and other details, see the email sent on Thursday, Oct. 6, or visit Connect. 

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 12:37 p.m. Oct. 7)

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

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

Patient Care

UVA Health Will Begin Releasing Patient Test Results 7 Days a Week

Starting Oct. 11, Epic will begin releasing test results via MyChart to patients on a daily basis. This change will eliminate the weekend hold period now in effect for all test results, except those for COVID-19, which are already being auto-released to MyChart as soon as they are finalized. (Note: Some test result types will not auto-release at all. See the result-type exceptions to this schedule here.) This change is being made to:

• Better support patient needs and expectations and increase their satisfaction.
• Gain parity with other healthcare systems in terms of the time it takes for us to release test results to patients.
• Comply with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requirements and avoid fines for information blocking.

We are notifying patients about this change via MyChart. Anyone with questions about test results is being asked to contact their provider through MyChart or by calling during regular business hours. Patients are being told that they will receive a response within three business days. 

Operations

Walk-In Flu Clinics 

Need to get a flu shot? Employee Health is offering the following walk-in clinics: 

• Tuesday, Oct. 11 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | McKim Hall, Room 3001
• Tuesday, Oct. 11 | 3-7 p.m. | Pinn Hall
• Thursday, Oct. 13 | 3-7 p.m. | University Hospital Dining Conference Rooms
• Saturday, Oct. 15 | 1-7 p.m. | University Hospital Dining Conference Rooms

The full flu-clinic schedule can be seen here. Please note that COVID booster shots will not be available at these walk-in clinics. To receive both the COVID booster and flu vaccines in one appointment, please schedule through VaxTrax. Check back often, as new appointments are opened when additional vaccinators become available.

Construction Alert | Partial Closure of Lane Road 

Saturday, Oct. 15 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Lane Road will be partially closed between the hospital’s loading dock and Crispell Drive and will impact MR-4 permit holders. Parallel parking in front of MR-4 will be closed during this time, and access to the loading dock will be limited. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk on Lane Road in front of MR-4.

Monthly Epic Update: Changes Go Live Tuesday, Oct. 11

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

Leadership

Sign Up Now: Strategic Plan Virtual Coffee Talks With Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer

Grab your coffee and learn more about UVA Health’s first enterprise-wide strategic plan, One Future Together | Hope and Health for All, by joining a virtual coffee talk session with Jason Lineen, Chief Strategy Officer. Jason will share details of our plan and discuss how we will work together to put the strategic plan in action to achieve our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond. Don’t miss this great opportunity to join in the conversation about UVA Health’s bright future. All UVA Health team members are invited to attend:

• Monday, Oct. 31 | 7-8 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 14 | 7-8 a.m. 
• Monday, Nov. 28 | noon-1 p.m. 
• Monday, Dec. 12 | noon-1 p.m.

Space is limited. Please email Peggy Pasternak at PSP3P@uvahealth.org to RSVP.

Reminder: Speed-Watcher’s Guide to the Town Hall

If you missed last week’s Town Hall, you can catch up with the speed-watcher’s guide on Connect. K. Craig Kent, MD, CEO, UVA Health, and other leaders discussed a range of topics and unveiled the new strategic plan: One Future Together | Health and Hope for All. Watch.

• Provide Feedback | UVA Health leadership wants to hear from you and feedback on the Town Hall is welcome. Any comments can be shared through the Town Hall email YourTownHall@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.

Medical Center CEO Blog: Spotlight on Pet and Music Therapy

In her new Vision and Voice blog post, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, highlights the dedicated volunteers who do music and pet therapy for patients and team members to enjoy at the hospital. Read more.

Human Resources

Time to Choose: 2023 Benefits Open Enrollment

Through Friday, Oct. 14 | Choosing the right health plan option and benefit savings accounts is important and reflects thoughtful planning for you and your family’s healthcare spending and financial well-being for the coming year. View plan changes and premiums on the Open Enrollment website before using the Open Enrollment event in Workday to select your 2023 benefits. For details, refer to the email sent from UVA Human Resources on Monday, Oct. 3, or the article on Connect. 

• Reminder: HSA/FSA | Your 2022 elections for FSA and/or HSA will NOT automatically carry over to 2023. Visit the Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account webpages for more information.

Now Open: 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey 

Oct. 4–Nov. 11 | The 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey is an important opportunity for every team member to reflect and provide direct feedback about how we are succeeding and where we have opportunities to be even better. Your thoughtful and candid responses will help set us on a course for transformational change. Following are some important facts about this year’s survey. 

• Your comments are confidential.
• All team members, with the exception of School of Medicine faculty, will participate in a survey administered by Press Ganey.
• UVA School of Medicine faculty will participate in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Standpoint Faculty Engagement Survey.

To take the survey, check your email for a personalized invitation. Thank you for sharing your voices and essential input as we work to achieve our bold new vision to be the nation’s leading public academic health system and best place to work.

Happenings

Hispanic Heritage Month Events

• Latinx Health Fair hosted by the UVA Latino Health Initiative | Saturday, Oct. 8 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Church of the Incarnation, 1465 Incarnation Dr., Charlottesville | Free health screenings — blood pressure tests, vision screening, hearing screening, dental counseling, and more — food, giveaways, and childcare. For more information, call 434.272.5910.
• A Tribute to Award-Winning Author Julia Alvarez | Thursday, Oct. 13, and Oct. 18-20 | A virtual discussion and reading marathon. Learn more.

Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month | Together We Scan

Tuesday, Oct. 11 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | UVA Health Medical Center Dining Conference Rooms 1, 2, & 3 | Celebrate Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month with UVA Health’s echocardiographers, sonographers, and vascular technologists. Highlights of the event include live ultrasound demonstrations, Q&As, hands-on demonstrations, ultrasound procedures and protocols, ergonomics Information and equipment display, raffles, and snacks. For more information, contact Alisa Wartella at ARH3D@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. 

Active Attacker Prevention, Response, and Notification Training

Tuesday, Oct. 11 | noon-1 p.m. | Newcomb Hall, South Meeting Room | Although incidents of active attackers at universities and medical centers are rare, the impact on the individuals and communities affected cannot be overstated. In this 60-minute training, the Department of Safety & Security will discuss what University Threat Assessment, Emergency Management, and University Police are doing to prevent and, if needed, respond to and notify the UVA community about an active attacker event. Participants will learn about Emergency Notifications, how to report concerning behavior, and easy-to-remember options for people who are faced with a violent situation. This training is free and open to all students, employees, faculty, and staff of the Academic and UVA Health divisions. For more information, contact Rachel Slotter, Office of Emergency Management, at ras5zm@virginia.edu. Register.

In October: Save a Life, Donate Blood

1-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19 | Quayle Learning Center, Battle Building, First Floor | The American Red Cross, UVA Health’s primary supplier of blood products, is facing a severe blood shortage. You can help by donating blood. Appointments required. Swag alert: All donors will receive a complimentary e-gift card. Details. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu or visiting redcrossblood.org. Read more on Connect.

Four-Week Virtual Class: Boost Your Health and Well-Being 

Tuesdays, Oct. 11-Nov. 1 | 3-4 p.m. | You'll learn the best strategies from health coaching and positive psychology to help identify and meet your personal goals and get your healthy habits and well-being back on track. Classes meet once a week. Register. 

Refugee Mental Health and Adaptation

Wednesday, Oct. 12 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual | This four-part series is for clinical providers and relevant community members to gain awareness of the unique challenges and resources for providing mental healthcare for refugee patients. Register.

Medical Center Hour | The Purpose of the Pelvic Exam: A Historical Analysis

Wednesday, Oct. 12 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium or Zoom | Featuring speaker Wendy Kline, PhD, Dema G. Seelye Chair in the History of Medicine, Director, Medical Humanities Program, Department of History, at Purdue University. A History of the Health Sciences Lecture co-presented with the History of the Health Sciences Lecture Series. 

Appreciation

UVA Black Student Nurses Alliance Uplifts Community

Created by a host of amazing School of Nursing students, including (left to right) second-year Elizabeth Zeleke and third-years Morgan Allen, Donna Nkurunziza, and Amia Graham, the newly formed UVA Black Student Nurses Alliance (BSNA) raises money and awareness for women's health and social justice issues and stands in solidarity with Black nurses everywhere. “We created the group with a goal to uplift the Black nursing community,” says Allen, BSNA president, “and to provide a safe space for ourselves and our peers. We also wanted to deepen our engagement and interactions with the Charlottesville community in a meaningful way, and plan to reach out to women’s health organizations and raise awareness of social injustices’ impact on people’s health.” Thank you to these nursing students and the BSNA for their outstanding work! Follow the group on Instagram @uva_bsna.

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022

Now Open: 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey

Oct. 4–Nov. 11 | The 2022 UVA Health Engagement Survey is an important opportunity for every team member to reflect and provide direct feedback about how we are succeeding and where we have opportunities to be even better. Your thoughtful and candid responses will help set us on a course for transformational change. Following are some important facts about this year’s survey.

• Your comments are confidential.
• All team members, with the exception of School of Medicine faculty, will participate in a survey administered by Press Ganey.
• UVA School of Medicine faculty will participate in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Standpoint Faculty Engagement Survey.

To take the survey, check your email for personalized invitations from Press Ganey. Thank you for sharing your voices and essential input as we work to achieve our bold new vision to be the nation’s leading public academic health system and best place to work.

Reminder: Speed-Watcher’s Guide to the Town Hall

If you missed last week’s Town Hall, you can catch up with the speed-watcher’s guide on Connect. K. Craig Kent, MD, CEO, UVA Health, and other leaders discussed a range of topics and unveiled the new strategic plan: One Future Together | Health and Hope for All. Watch.

• Provide Feedback | UVA Health leadership wants to hear from you and feedback on the Town Hall is welcome. Any comments can be shared through the Town Hall email YourTownHall@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 12:36 p.m. Oct. 5)

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

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

Reminder: Vaccinators Needed for Several UVA Health Programs

Paid vaccinators are needed for the following groups:

• Team Member Vaccinations | Employee Health needs support in administering COVID-19 boosters and flu shots to team members on weekdays and weekends. To sign up, contact vaccine coordinator Valerie Goodman, RN, at VAB4U@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.
• Community COVID Testing/Vaccination Events | MAs, LPNs, and RNs are needed to provide COVID-19 vaccinations at weekly events for vulnerable community members in Charlottesville. See schedule below. Please use this link to sign-up. Contact Amy Luu at al2hf@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu if you have questions.
  • Mondays | 6-7:30 p.m. | Church of the Incarnation
  • Tuesdays | 5:30-7 p.m. | Mt. Zion Church

Patient Care

New Workflows Will Give Patients Easier Access to Video Visits

Go-live: Tuesday, Oct. 11 | The video visit workflow has been streamlined to simplify the process for both patients and front-line staff. The changes affect schedulers, front-desk team members, providers, and patients. Starting Oct. 11:

• Patients and proxies will not need a MyChart account to access their video visit.
• All patients will receive a reminder text three days before their video visit.
• All patients will receive a MyChart link via text and email at 6 a.m. on the day of their video visit.
• Schedulers will no longer need to manually send links. Using the new method, patients enter directly into the Pre-Visit Update screen.

Email Telemedicine@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu or HIT Help Desk with any questions. Learn more.

Operations

Construction Alert | Well Drilling Will Impact Parking

Through Friday, Oct. 7 | Fontaine Research Park | Well drilling will occur at Fontaine Research Park. There will be minimal disruptions, however parking in the immediate area will be impacted.

Construction Alert | Partial Closure of Lane Road

Saturday, Oct. 15 | 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Lane Road will be partially closed between the hospital’s loading dock and Crispell Drive and will impact MR-4 permit holders. Parallel parking in front of MR-4 will be closed during this time, and access to the loading dock will be limited. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk on Lane Road in front of MR-4.

Community

Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign Launches

Through Monday, Dec. 19 | Today marks the kickoff of the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign, an opportunity for UVA employees to support nonprofits doing important work in the Charlottesville area and across the state. In the past 24 years, UVA employees have raised $18 million, surpassing not only every Virginia college and university, but all state agencies. Contribute today! Learn more on Connect.

Human Resources

Time to Choose: 2023 Benefits Open Enrollment

Through Friday, Oct. 14 |Choosing the right health plan option and benefit savings accounts is important and reflects thoughtful planning for you and your family’s healthcare spending and financial well-being for the coming year. View plan changes and premiums on the Open Enrollment website before using the Open Enrollment event in Workday to select your 2023 benefits. For details, refer to the email sent from UVA Human Resources on Monday, Oct. 3, or the article on Connect.

• Reminder: HSA/FSA | Your 2022 elections for FSA and/or HSA will NOT automatically carry over to 2023. Visit the Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account webpages for more information.

Recruitment Events: School of Nursing Information Sessions

• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) | Wednesday, Oct. 12 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | RSVP.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | Monday, Oct. 24 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | RSVP.
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) | Monday, Nov. 7 | 6-7 p.m. | Facebook Live | RSVP.
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) & Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 6-7 p.m. | Zoom | RSVP.

Happenings

Last Chance for BOGO Offer: UVA Football vs. Louisville

Saturday, Oct. 8 | Noon | Scott Stadium | Virginia Cavaliers football will be facing off against Louisville, and UVA Athletics is offering UVA Health team members a special buy one, get one free ticket offer (two for $22) in the upper level. Reserve now. (Offer expires Thursday, Oct. 6, at midnight.)

Mindfulness Classes

• Advanced Mindful Leadership Training Class | Wednesdays, Oct. 12-Dec. 7 | 4-6 p.m. | Zoom | Register. Learn more.
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Class | Mondays, Oct. 17-Dec. 12 | 4-6:30 p.m. | Retreat: Saturday, Dec. 3 | Zoom | Register.

Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month | Together We Scan

Tuesday, Oct. 11 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | UVA Health Medical Center Dining Conference Rooms 1, 2 & 3 | Celebrate Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month with UVA Health’s echocardiographers, sonographers, and vascular technologists. Highlights of the event include live ultrasound demonstrations, Q&As, hands-on demonstrations, ultrasound procedures and protocols, ergonomics Information and equipment display, raffles, and snacks. For more information, contact Alisa Wartella at ARH3D@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.

Dr. Cornel West: The Idea of a University in Our Time

Thursday, Oct. 13 | 6 p.m. | Old Cabell Hall | The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary, Dr. Cornell West teaches about the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as well as courses in Philosophy of Religion, African American Critical Thought, the classics, philosophy, politics, cultural theory, literature, and music. Q&A will be moderated by Robert Trent Vinson, Director and Chair of the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African American & African Studies. Learn more.

Apply Now: 2022 Charles L. Brown Award

Deadline: Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 5 p.m. | The Charles L. Brown Award for Patient Care Quality recognizes care teams who work 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 for excellence in patient care. Apply here. Questions? Contact Jeff Lucas, Director, Performance Improvement, at 434.243.1755 or jl2bd@virginia.edu.

FEAP’s On-Demand Resources

• Relating to Depression in New Ways | This recorded webinar introduces new and empowering options for relating to depression that may offer you more space, relief, and self-kindness. You'll learn straight-forward, evidence-based strategies from the fields of Mindfulness and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Watch.
• When You Need a Peaceful Moment | Tune as You Go is filled with soothing sounds and guided exercises and reflections to help you catch your breath and give your nervous system a chance to reset. Try the "Grounding for Five" practice and explore other ways to soothe yourself when you're feeling overwhelmed. Watch.

Appreciation

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Our Cafeterias

To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Chef Erick Herndon joined forces with team members Josephina Puentes and Juan Puentes to reminisce about a traditional dish from their hometown of Guanajuato, Mexico: Enchiladas Mineras. The chicken stew dish dates back to the boom of silver mining in Guanajuato. This is where the entrée got its name, which translates to “mining enchiladas,” because it was a hearty dish that could satisfy a miner’s hunger for the whole workday. It is composed of chicken thighs stewed with carrots, potatoes, and onions in a rich complex guajillo chili broth. The stew is served with cheese enchiladas garnished with fresh crema, lettuce, and pickled jalapeno. You can find Juan preparing pizzas in the University Hospital Cafeteria and his niece Josephina by the salad bar in the Wahoo West Café. They both have fond memories of large family gatherings in Mexico with an abundance of colorful food and dancing.

Monday, Oct. 3, 2022

Be Heard: Engagement Survey Begins Tomorrow

Those employed by UVA Medical Center, UVA Physicians Group, UVA School of Medicine, UVA School of Nursing, and Claude Moore Health Sciences Library will receive an invitation to participate in the 2022 Engagement Survey tomorrow, Oct. 4. Team members’ voices are essential to helping us achieve our bold new vision of being the nation’s leading public academic health system and best place to work — while transforming patient care, research, education, and engagement within the diverse communities we serve. 

The deadline to participate is Friday, Nov. 11. UVA Community Health team members will be invited to participate Nov. 28-Dec. 19. More details available at the UVA HR Engagement Survey website.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 1:35 p.m. Oct. 3)

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

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

Patient Care

Virginia at Home Referral Form Now Available Online

Virginia at Home (VaH) is a home-based primary care program for older adults living with complex medical concerns and needs, and are confined to their homes due to medical, functional, and/or cognitive difficulties. VaH currently serves participants living in the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle, Greene, Madison, Orange, Louisa, Fluvanna, Nelson, Buckingham, and Augusta counties. For provider convenience, VaH has recently added a program referral form to its website. Contact Population Health at populationhealth@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu or 434.243.6388 with questions. Learn more.

Operations

4 North Refurbishment: No Touchdown Space Available

Please be advised that 4 North is undergoing refurbishment for the next month. During this time, all computers are covered and no work is permitted in the touchdown spaces. Please do not enter the unit unless you have refurbishment-related activity.

Human Resources

UVA Benefits Open Enrollment Starts Today

Through Friday, Oct. 14 | Choosing the right health plan option and benefit savings accounts is important and reflects thoughtful planning for you and your family’s healthcare spending and financial well-being for the coming year. View plan changes and premiums on the Open Enrollment website before using the Open Enrollment event in Workday to select your 2023 benefits. For details, refer to the email sent from UVA Human Resources on Monday, Oct. 3, or the article on Connect. 

• Reminder: HSA/FSA | Your 2022 elections for FSA and/or HSA will NOT automatically carry over to 2023. Visit the Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account webpages for more information.

Shining Moments

UVA Children’s Has Lots to Be Proud of This Year

Stephanie McNerney, Nurse Practitioner, helped launch the Village Care Program (VCP) early this year, a multidisciplinary program at UVA Children’s designed to meet the complex medical and mental health needs of kids in foster care, group homes, or other unique living situations. In addition to launching VCP, McNerney's highlights from the year included being "supported by my colleagues in meaningful and tangible ways, from covering clinics, triaging patient care, thoughtful words, and even food," she says. "To see my colleagues continue to show up despite the intense exhaustion of our times and hold onto that glimmer of hope that this all has great meaning has been such an honor. I work with amazing, thoughtful, kind, and generous humans — this year was extra in that way." Read what else has made this year meaningful for UVA Children's on Connect.

Happenings

It’s Socktober: Donate Socks for Feet in Need

Through Monday, Oct. 31 | Cafés | Support Socktober by donating socks and winning prizes. When dropping off socks, ask for the retail manager on duty who will record how many socks are being collected from your area. The top three departments that bring in the most socks (accounting for department size) will receive prizes. Socks will be donated to The Salvation Army. Questions? Contact Chadwick French, Director of Retail, at cf4cp@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Find donation locations and read more on Connect.

Earn College Credits and Advance in Your Career With UVA Edge

Deadline for Spring Session: Tuesday, Nov. 1 | UVA Edge is a part-time, online program for working adults. Students earn 20 undergraduate credits while building career and digital skills. UVA Edge is covered by the UVA education benefit for eligible employees and is ideal for students without college experience or with less than 30 credits. Meet the UVA Edge team at UVA’s 2022 Benefits & Wellness Expo 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the UVA Health Educational Resource Center. You can also learn more online and join a free virtual information session. Contact edge@virginia.edu with questions.

Medical Center Hour | Diabetes and the Fragmented States of America: The Opportunity for Primary Care

Wednesday, Oct. 5 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium or Zoom | Using diabetes as a case example, this talk will examine three major aspects of fragmented care in the United States. Speaker: Mohammed K. Ali, MD, MSc, MBA, William H. Foege Distinguished Professor of Global Health, Co-Director, Emory Global Diabetes Research Center, Vice Chair (Research), Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University. This John F. Anderson Memorial Lecture is co-presented by the Generalist Scholars Program in celebration of National Primary Care Week.

Hispanic Heritage Month Events

• Webinar: Health Disparities of Severe Asthma Among Hispanic Adults | Wednesday, Oct. 5 | 2-3 p.m. | A discussion of health disparities as it relates to asthma care in the Hispanic community. Presented by The National Hispanic Medical Association. Register.
• Latinx Health Fair hosted by the UVA Latino Health Initiative | Saturday, Oct. 8 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Church of the Incarnation, 1465 Incarnation Dr., Charlottesville | Free health screenings — blood pressure tests, vision screening, hearing screening, dental counseling, and more — food, giveaways, and childcare. For more information, call 434.272.5910.
• A Tribute to Award-Winning Author Julia Alvarez | Thursday, Oct. 13, and Oct. 18-20 | A virtual discussion and reading marathon. Learn more.

Annual Nursing and Healthcare Education Fair

Wednesday, Oct. 5 | 5-8 p.m. | Virtual and Medical Center Dining Conference Rooms 1 and 2 | Admissions Counselors will be available to discuss healthcare programs, including pharmacy tech, radiology, certified nursing assistant, and nursing programs of all levels. Open to any UVA team member interested in going to school for a different role within healthcare. Learn more.

BOGO Offer: UVA Football vs. Louisville

Saturday, Oct. 8 | Noon | Scott Stadium | Virginia Cavaliers football will be facing off against Louisville, and UVA Athletics is offering UVA Health team members a special buy one, get one free ticket offer (two for $22) in the upper level. Reserve now.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month | Prevent Malware Attacks

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month at UVA Health. Check out the UVA Health Cybersecurity Awareness Month webpage to review this week’s takeaway topic: Update Your Software - Prevent Malware Attacks. Always patch your software and applications when updates become available — don’t delay.

Active Attacker Prevention, Response, and Notification Training

Tuesday, Oct. 11 | noon-1 p.m. | Newcomb Hall, South Meeting Room | Although incidents of active attackers at universities and medical centers are rare, the impact on the individuals and communities affected cannot be overstated. In this 60-minute training, the Department of Safety & Security will discuss what University Threat Assessment, Emergency Management, and University Police are doing to prevent and, if needed, respond to and notify the UVA community about an active attacker event. Participants will learn about Emergency Notifications, how to report concerning behavior, and easy-to-remember options for people who are faced with a violent situation. This training is free and open to all students, employees, faculty, and staff of the Academic and UVA Health divisions. For more information, contact Rachel Slotter, Office of Emergency Management, at ras5zm@virginia.edu. Register.

Four-Week Virtual Class: Boost Your Health and Well-Being 

Tuesdays, Oct. 11-Nov. 1 | 3-4 p.m. | You'll learn the best strategies from health coaching and positive psychology to help identify and meet your personal goals and get your healthy habits and well-being back on track. Classes meet once a week. Register. 

Refugee Mental Health and Adaptation

Wednesday, Oct. 12 | noon-1 p.m. | Virtual | This four-part series is for clinical providers and relevant community members to gain awareness of the unique challenges and resources for providing mental healthcare for refugee patients. Register.

Appreciation

4th Year Med Students Get a Better View of Procedures With Virtual Reality

Thanks to $54,973 in seed funding awarded by the Jefferson Trust, an inspiring UVA Health team is investigating an innovative training tool for medical students and clinicians: virtual reality (VR). The proposed VR educational model offers trainees a better view of both procedures themselves and the attendant diagnostic screens during their first-person/second-person hybrid observance experience. In addition, learning aids, such as anatomical models and other visual guides that are not typically available in live observances, are available within the VR training space, furthering students’ comprehension of the procedure. Learn more on Connect.

Archive of previous UVA Health Updates

• March 30-July 31, 2020
• Aug. 3-Sept. 30, 2020
• Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2020
• Jan. 1-March 31, 2021
• April 1-30, 2021
• May 1-31, 2021
• June 1-30, 2021
• July 1-31, 2021
• Aug. 1-31, 2021
• Sept. 1-30, 2021
• Oct. 1-29, 2021
• Nov. 1-30, 2021
• Dec. 1-31, 2021
• Jan. 1-31, 2022
• Feb. 1-28, 2022
• March 2-30, 2022
• April 1-29, 2022
• May 1-30, 2022
• June 1-30, 2022
• July 1-31, 2022
• Aug. 1-31, 2022
• Sept. 1-30, 2022