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What began in February 2024 as a new collaboration between UVA Health and NurseMatch to recruit nurses from Canada quickly has become a success story. Not only have international nurses filled essential nursing roles, they're also supporting a strategic plan goal of strengthening our foundation with their expertise, dedication, and wide range of perspectives.

Meet Ivan Urcia, RN, and Hojat Galeh, RN. The nurses came to Charlottesville, Virginia through NurseMatch — bringing years of experience from living and working abroad, and a deep commitment to patient care. Today, they are helping to build our UVA Health workforce, mentor colleagues, and enriching UVA Health's culture of collaboration and compassion.

Ivan Urcia, RN: Building Teams in the OR

Currently a nurse manager in the operating room (OR), Urcia grew up in the Philippines surrounded by relatives working in healthcare. “When I was younger, I looked after my grandmother who had dementia,” he says. “That experience paved the way for me to learn nursing. I also carried forward my mother’s dream of becoming a nurse, which she'd set aside to support our family.”

Urcia’s path spanned the Middle East, and Canada — where he managed perioperative services in British Columbia — when NurseMatch reached out to him, recognizing his OR leadership experience and career preferences. “They helped bridge me into this role at UVA Health — everything from licensing to finding an apartment. I saw UVA Health as a great opportunity — it is the number one hospital in Virginia with 33 operating rooms — and as a bigger organization where I could continue to grow.”

Since arriving in March 2025, Urcia has been trusted to expand his scope on an interim basis from orthopedics to include plastic surgery, otolaryngology, dental, and ophthalmology. He says the welcoming atmosphere has been overwhelming. “The leadership team, the surgical faculty, frontline team members — they all gave me a warm welcome. I admire that UVA Health offers so many learning opportunities available to our team — resources that I can leverage to guide and support their growth and professional development.”

'The Perfect Time'

For Urcia, the OR is about teamwork and coordination. He said that there are day-to-day pressures and challenges, which he addresses through collaboration with surgeons, anesthesia, and fellow healthcare team members. "It’s a sense of accomplishment when we help someone walk again after a knee replacement or repair a broken bone.”

He is also proud of his team’s success in surgical efficiency: “In orthopedics, we’ve reached more than 70% first case on-time starts. That means patients aren’t delayed, and care runs smoothly.”

As a PhD candidate, Urcia brings an academic focus to his leadership. His research in interprofessional, team-based care directly informs his work at UVA Health. “By bridging evidence-based research with everyday practice, I help strengthen collaborative and patient-centered care,” he explains. “I’m grateful UVA Health gave me this opportunity — it feels like the perfect time to be here!”

Hojat Galeh, RN: Finding Balance

For Galeh, joining UVA Health as a critical care nurse meant both a professional transition and a personal reset. Born in Iran and raised in Canada, he built his career in Toronto’s emergency and neurotrauma units — eventually becoming a nurse manager.

But when his daughter Hazel was born, his priorities shifted. “I grew up in a family in which both parents worked shifts, and I wanted to be more present for my daughter,” he says. “Coming to UVA Health offered me more work-life balance — and so much more than I expected.”

'That's How Growth Happens'

Galeh arrived in May 2025 as part of the Staffing Resource Office (SRO) team, floating across critical care units. The change was humbling. “Back home, I was the one people came to for answers. Here, I had to ask all the questions. At first, it shook my confidence — but I realized that’s how growth happens. Every day you get a little more confident. If you come with compassion for yourself and others, things slowly fall into place. UVA Health has shown me what community really means.”

'Like a Fairy Tale'

He credits colleagues with helping him thrive — including Susan Prather, MSN, RN, and Jenny Mellott, RN, MSN, who oversee the NurseMatch program; Nurse Manager Nina Carter, DNP, RN, NEA-BC; Nursing Professional Development Specialist Keri Tifft, DNP, MSN, RN; and Preceptor Alexandra Hodge, RN.

Hodge even walked Galeh through the hospital units after hours and left a welcome basket at his door with gifts for his wife, Sophia, daughter Hazel, and their dog. “I came in guarded, but the kindness I’ve experienced has been overwhelming,” says Galeh. “It’s been like a fairy tale.”

Paying It Forward

Now, Galeh is mentoring other international nurses, sharing encouragement and practical advice during onboarding. “I tell them: don’t question your skills. You already know how to be a nurse. Learn UVA Health’s tools and ask questions — that’s how you succeed!”

Galeh is especially motivated by UVA Health’s community focus. “What I’ve learned here is the value of serving the same community where you live. At any moment, the patient in front of me could be my neighbor or family. That makes the work even more meaningful.”

One Future Together | Health and Hope for All

Urcia and Galeh are just two examples of the many international nurses who bring exceptional talent to UVA Health with global experience and personal dedication.

As Urcia puts it: “International nurses bring not just skills, but new ways of thinking. Together, we make the team stronger.”

And as Galeh reflects: “International nurses bring a depth of experience, different perspectives, and a shared resilience from having worked in a variety of healthcare settings. At UVA Health, this has created a richer mix of skills and approaches. It’s a powerful combination in which everyone learns from each other — and that ultimately benefits our patients."