As I look back on 2024, I am so inspired by our UVA Health University Medical Center team members. What better time to reflect on and celebrate your excellence, compassion, and innovation? You have made so many remarkable accomplishments possible this year. Thanks to you, we:
- Earned a variety of accolades that honor the high-quality care you provide every day, including:
- Named the No. 1 hospital in Virginia and among the top 40 hospitals nationally (Newsweek)
- Ranked among America’s Best Specialized Hospitals (Newsweek)
- Earned LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader award (Human Rights Campaign Foundation)
- Earned the 2024 High-Value Pharmacy Award (Premier Inc., a leading healthcare improvement company)
- Named No. 1 Children’s Hospital in Virginia four years running (U.S. News & World Report)
- Completed our triennial Joint Commission safety survey, showing improvement over our last survey period.
- Opened the UVA Health Children’s Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Health Clinic to expand outpatient neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and mental health services at UVA Health Children’s.
- Also expanded care through a new outpatient laser eye surgery clinic, comprehensive Parkinson’s disease clinic, asthma, allergy and immunology clinic, and family and sports medicine clinic.
- Enhanced community outreach efforts through innovative Cancer Center programs and grants.
- Celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Battle Building as well as its national sustainability award.
- Expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) services with six new beds on 8N.
- Announced plans to expand the South Tower by 2028.
- Furthered our initiative to be the best place to work by opening an employee primary care clinic and team member gym at the University Medical Center.
- Submitted the 2024 Magnet document as a step toward redesignation.
- Celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the UVA Health Pegasus Air program.
- Launched a new two-year nursing program and an LPN to RN bridge program as part of Earn While You Learn.
- Developed a new path for Medical Center team members to earn a college degree through the UVA Enlighten program.
- Kicked off a new statewide advertising campaign for UVA Health and launched new social media accounts for UVA Health Children’s.
- Enhanced communication with patients through a new text messaging service and added translation services on uvahealth.com and childrens.uvahealth.com in Spanish, Korean, Arabic, and Dari.
This and so much more are possible through our work together! As we move into 2025, I am so excited to see the new ways we will advance our mission and serve our communities. We are truly transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Take care, be well and happy new year,
Wendy
P.S. I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas for 2025! Share them with me through the Be Heard Suggestion Box.