Women in Medicine Month | A Bond That Began at UVA Health Strengthened as Mom and Daughter Become Colleagues

9.19.2023

Women in Medicine Month | A Bond That Began at UVA Health Strengthened as Mom and Daughter Become Colleagues

By Holly Ford
Photos by Kay Taylor

In recognition of Women in Medicine Month, we’re honoring some of the women who have dedicated their careers to making a positive impact on the lives of patients, women who are furthering our efforts to deliver quality care and who are shaping the future of healthcare here at UVA Health and beyond.

We are fortunate to have many women on staff who have not only made this their home for decades, but who are also passing the torch and sharing their passion for caring — and their dedication to UVA Health — to their daughters and granddaughters. Ann and Kanisha Brown have shared a connection to UVA Health from day one.

In Ann’s first year working at UVA Health, she gave birth to her daughter, Kanisha, who arrived prematurely. “I have been working here for 28 years, the same age as my daughter. She came early and was in the NICU for about four months,” says Ann. “I knew then that I made the right decision working here. The people at UVA cared about me as a patient, as an employee, and as a family member.”

Get to Know: Ann and Kanisha

Tell us about your background.

Ann: I moved to Virginia from Kansas City, Mo., at a very young age. I was adopted by my cousin, who raised me, and I called her mom. I graduated from Fluvanna County High School and continued my education at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC). I did not complete my associate’s degree, and that is why I have always encouraged my daughter to stay in school. I did not have a support system in my life that encouraged continuing my education. But I am now enrolled in my second semester of the UVA Edge Program, where adult learners can earn 20 undergraduate credits over three semesters that can be used toward an associate’s degree at PVCC.

Kanisha: I was born here at UVA and raised in Fluvanna County. I also attended Piedmont Virginia Community College, where I graduated and got my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license.

Why did you choose medicine as a career?

Ann: I chose medicine as a career because of my grandmother. She had Alzheimer’s, and we had to put her into a nursing home. I knew that she was a strong woman who had no control over what was happening to her. This disease had taken over her mind. With that being said, I got my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license and started working at the nursing home so that I could help take care of her. I then had the opportunity to get a job at UVA because they started a program hiring personal care assistants (PCAs).

Kanisha: I have always said that the field of medicine is like a gift that keeps on giving. There are many different avenues you can choose from and expand your career. Medicine is forever changing, and being able to help people and be a part of that change is a great thing. Also, having a doctor play set as a kid played a miniscule part in my career choice.

Why did you choose to work at UVA Health?

Ann: Getting a job at UVA meant something in our community. My father use to say that if you had a job at UVA, you had a good and stable job and that the turnover was very low because people were happy once they got it. The pay was better, the benefits were great, there were always opportunities to move up, and I was happy to make my family proud. I will be coming up on 30 years with UVA in November of 2024. I went from a PCA, to a Health Unit Coordinator (HUC), then a supervisor of the HUC team and now I’m working as senior administrative assistant in the Surgery Department of Research with Dr. Craig Slingluff.

Kanisha: Having a mother who has worked at UVA since before I was born made the case for me to choose UVA as a place to work. My first position was working in Health Information Management on Fridays and Saturdays, then that position turned into a full-time position, and the rest is history. I will be with UVA going on nine years next year, and I have no thoughts of leaving. UVA always has great employee initiatives and there is always room to grow.

What are the pros and cons of working at the same place as your mom/daughter?

Ann: I think I have nothing but pros to having my daughter work here at UVA. No cons. I was able to have lunch with her when she was doing her clinicals here. I am happy that she is at a place that encourages continuing education and she will be able to grow here. I think that she would be the one with the cons because everyone that she comes in contact with asks her if she is my daughter.

Kanisha: When I was working in the main hospital, having lunch together was a pro for me. I worked in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) as a CNA before transferring to my current LPN position. For that unit to be the start of my nursing career, I saw a lot of "firsts." Some of those firsts included experiencing a code, having to do post-mortem care and having to be there for families who are going through the hardest moment in life. Having my mother within walking distance for those hard moments was the biggest pro. The only con was figuring out who was going to ride the bus to get the car at the end of the day!

What inspires you?

Ann: My father and knowing that I made him proud. He put working at UVA on my radar a long time ago, and I have enjoyed each and every day of it. I have a quote that I love by Aristotle: "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work."

Kanisha: My parents and patients inspire me. My parents instilled in me at a young age to have a great work ethic. To work hard, be the best that you can be at your craft, and be someone people can rely on. Seeing them work hard and never miss a day of work when I was younger gave me the best picture of the employee that I wanted to be when I got older. They stressed the importance of being reliable, but also the importance of taking care of yourself first. Any patient that I come in contact with and the ones that tell me their stories inspire me to be the best nurse that I can be.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

Ann: Helping others and making a difference. People like my grandmother who do not know anything about UVA MyChart, email, or internet access can still pick up a phone and get someone on the other line. It is rewarding to be that person on the other line saying: "Hello, how can I help you?"

Kanisha: Having the opportunity to help people in their most vulnerable and often most unexpected moments. I have learned that, in medicine, things can change in a blink of an eye. It is like that in life also, so being able to be there for someone physically and emotionally is very rewarding.

What advice do you have for women joining the field of medicine?

Ann: My advice is to always keep learning. Make sure you grab every opportunity that comes your way. The field of medicine is always evolving and the more you know, the better you will be.

Kanisha: Have patience and confidence in yourself and your skills. As a newly graduated LPN, I am still heeding that advice every day I go into work. Have patience with yourself, be confident in your skills and abilities, and remember to take one thing at a time. Women are amazing. Period! Being a woman in medicine is the best!

*****

Thank you, Ann and Kanisha, for sharing your story! During Women in Medicine Month in September, Connect will continue showcasing UVA Health team members, including a series featuring pairs of mothers, daughters, and/or sisters — all working at UVA Health. While many of our colleagues offered to participate, we regrettably can not share all of their stories (as much as we would love to!). Connect is incredibly grateful to all of them, including: