Dear team,
Can you believe it’s October already? We feel like we were just writing, “Happy New Year!” It is finally starting to feel like fall (goodbye, 97-degree weather) and we’re excited to see the colors begin to change around us.
We started this newsletter in October of 2020. We’ve loved crafting news, shout outs, and resources each month and hope that you have found Monthly Matters helpful and enjoyable, as well.
This month, we’re focusing on wholeness. “When we don’t recognize our basic wholeness, we can feel that something’s amiss in our life. When we realize our wholeness, we recognize an indestructible resource that allows us to weather every challenge that life puts before us.” (Embodying Unbreakable Wholeness and Well-Being)
We know these are tough times, and we want you to know that we care about your wellness and we want you to feel free to bring your whole selves to work. You matter as a part of this team and as a person in our community, our family, really. We will continue to work for you and represent you in order to try to make this the best place to work and care for children and their families.
We recognize and appreciate you,
Jim, Liz, Karin, Billy, Ann, Jennifer, & Leigh
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Creating a Child Protection & Advocacy Program at UVA
Learn more about what it means to be a a Child Protection Pediatrician from Jennifer Andrews.
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Updated School Guidelines for COVID-19 |
Dr. Emily Wong shares her current guidance on COVID-19 and schools to help both symptomatic and exposed children return safely.
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Learn more about the latest updates on epidemiology, variants, vaccines, and more.
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Together We Make a Difference |
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Theme of the Month:
Wholeness
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Quotes of the Week
October 4: "When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other." ~ Margaret J. Wheatley
October 11: "We are already complete. All we need is the clarity to recognize the wholeness that is us." ~ Rod Stryker
October 18:"A life of wholeness does not depend on what we experience. Wholeness depends on how we experience our lives." ~ Desmond Tutu
October 25: "Love is the name for our pursuit of wholeness, for our desire to be complete." ~ Plato
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Mark Your Calendar
Professional Recognition & Health Awareness Days
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Health Literacy Month
- National ADHD Awareness Month
- National Bullying Prevention Month
- National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month
- National Healthcare Quality Week (October 17–23)
- Medical Assistants Recognition Week (October 18 – October 22)
- National Health Education Week (October 18–22)
- Respiratory Care Week (October 24–30)
- World Teachers’ Day (October 5)
- National Depression Screening Day (October 7)
- World Mental Health Day (October 10)
- Indigenous Peoples' Day (October 11)
- Global Handwashing Day (October 15)
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day (October 15)
- National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (October 15)
- World Food Day (October 16)
- Boss’s Day (October 16)
- Halloween (October 31)
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Check out the October calendar from Action for Happiness. This month focuses on goals. It doesn't matter if your goal for the day is something really small, the important thing is to give yourself the opportunity to feel like you've achieved something and to celebrate that!
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Welcome Tiffany Zarella, NNP-BC, NICU APP team |
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Q: Proudest/greatest achievement outside of the professional realm?
A: My greatest achievement was graduating at the top of my master's program. I was asked to prepare and give a commencement speech on behalf of the class.
Q: What are you usually doing on the weekend or during time off?
A: I spend a lot of time with my family and try to be outside whenever I can. I like to exercise and read, and I am always listening to music on my phone.
Q: Best advice anyone ever gave you?
A: Not to be so black and white. Everything in life is on a spectrum and can be seen differently by other individuals. It's important to be open to all sides and perspectives.
Q: What about you would surprise us?
A: I've spent the last seven years traveling the world, mostly by myself.
Q: What would someone underestimate about you?
A: My independence and capacity for self-reflection and redirection.
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Service of Remembrance
Please join us for the annual Service of Remembrance Saturday, October 9 at noon. Held annually since 1995, the UVA Children’s Service of Remembrance celebrates the lives of children, their courage and the love they shared with their families and the staff at UVA Children’s. Parents, family members and friends of UVA Children’s patients who have died within the past two years, either in the hospital or at home, are invited to attend.
Date: Saturday, October 9
Time: 12:00pm
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CHRC Seminar Series
Topic: Monitoring of Regional Oxygen Saturation by Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Outcomes in Neonates Following Cardiac Surgery
Speaker: Dr. Michael C. Spaeder, Program Director, Fellowship in Pediatric Care Medicine, Associate Professor, Pediatric Critical Care
Date: Friday, October 22
Time: 12:00pm
One tap mobile: 13017158592
Meeting ID: 965 0888 1260
Passcode: 497839
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Thank you Jef Ferguson, for 12 years as Chair! |
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Dr. James E. (Jef) Ferguson, II, MD, MBA, W. Norman Thornton, Jr., Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologyas Chair stepped down in July 2021 after 12 years of service as Chair.
Learn more about Dr. Ferguson's accomplishments, as well as his plans for retirement, from Dr. Leigh Cantrell.
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Congratulations, Dr. Shakun Gupta |
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Congratulations to Dr. Shakun Gupta on winning a national AAP Excellence in Education award!
From the review committee: "The Section on Early Career Physicians Excellence in Education Award review committee was amazed by your work at University of Virginia as an invested, enthusiastic educator that is decorated with accolades for your commitment to your profession. You have and will continue to positively influence the success of the future pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists who are so lucky to have you as their teacher. Your reputation and drive to serve your students, patients, and families is why you were selected as the inaugural honoree for the SOECP Excellence in Education Award."
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From Dr. Gupta: "Teaching is a part of my daily life as a clinician and is my favorite part of my work in academia. Conveying the scope of pediatric medicine and educating the next generation of physicians fills me with enormous excitement for my work. A love for teaching is part of what drew me to general pediatrics as a career. Being a teacher and mentor is one of the central roles a pediatrician plays in the life of a child. In a similar way, I love guiding my learners along their professional development paths. I am honored to receive this award from the AAP recognizing a part of my work I am extremely passionate about."
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In the month of September, 188 babies were delivered on L&D! This continues our trend of upward volume. Five years ago 130-150 was the average. Thanks to all who continue to care for mothers and babies! |
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UVA Peds in the Community |
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Shout out to UVA Peds, doing their part to get kids back in school by organizing and volunteering for ACPS community testing event! |
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Five Year Old Donates to UVA Children’s |
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Five year old Easton Ragland and his mom Kristen wanted to do something for the community. They
raised over $300 dollars by selling donuts. With the money that they raised, they purchased over 4
boxes of coloring and activity books, and five cases of crayons. Thank you to the Ragland’s for their kind
and generous donation!
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Pillowcases Bring Sweet Dreams and Smiles to UVA Children's |
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Thank you to Sarah Buchannan, her daughter, and a few of their friends for making and donating 3
pillowcases for patients. It took 32 volunteer hours to make the make the pillowcases. These will help patients sleep better while in the hospital. Thanks you so much!
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Bone Marrow Transplant Playroom Update |
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The Bone Marrow Transplant playroom is coming along! On September 13, the furniture, chairs and bench seating was installed. Stay tuned for the wall mural designs. Thank you to all involved in the process. We couldn’t do it without you! |
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Soho Books Expands to the UVA Children's ED |
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Thank you to team member Jessica Williford for paving the way to get a Soho book cart in the ED! Now our patients and families have something to do while waiting their turn. The books are
being devoured by patients and our families - especially the chapter books. Way to go, Jessica!
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Thank you to George and Jeanna Beker of the Soho Center for the September donation and delivery of Soho books. Dragon Jelly and Fright Club are a few of the new titles that we will see this month!
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Cuddle Bear Books In-Kind Donations |
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UVAS Children’s received 50 sets of Cuddle Bear books with matching plush teddy bears from community member Rosetta Byers. These wonderful donation resides in the ED and are handed out to children by the administrative staff as they leave the ED. Thank you to all involved! |
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8 Central OB: I can't thank the labor and delivery team, and the mother and baby unit enough! They all made our stay as comfortable as they could. The care that my daughter and I received was so much more than I expected! I'd like to thank nutrition too! Everyone was amazing!!!!!
Endo: Dr. DeBoer is an incredibly thorough physician. He is concerned for my child's health, makes recommendations in a supportive way, and explains all aspects of my child's health concerns.
Allergy: THANK YOU to the entire team for making our child your top priority. We felt it throughout our visit and want you to know it makes ALL the difference.
Dev Peds: Jennifer Keys was amazing to my son! She is such a wonderful person and can't say anything bad about her! She was a breath of fresh air and just amazing!!! Even though my son was difficult she was awesome and so positive.
Rheumatology: Dr Patel is always great. Clear, transparent, recaps current health labs and discusses future plans.
7 West: A+ all around. Thank you UVA for caring!
7 Central: All the staff we had enter our room was wonderful.
Pulmonology: We absolutely love and adore this clinic & the staff. Always a cut above!
General Peds: I cannot thank the staff enough for her patient, kind, attentive, and gentle they were while my child was having a hard time. You all are wonderful, and I am one grateful mama!
Cardiology: Great experience. Top notch care & service from staff & Dr. Rheuban! Good job!! Well done.
Othro: Dr. Lather was amazing. Thoughtful, kind, and so good!! We love Dr. Lather.
Cardio: All very good experience in clinic. Everyone was kind , professional and competent.
Gastro: Dr. Barnes is one of the best doctors I have ever worked with. He is caring, kind, and knowledgeable. He is straightforward but does it in a caring and compassionate way. He has been with us every step of the way from symptoms to diagnosis to treatment. I feel confident in his ability to treat the disease in an intelligent way.
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New York Yankees Support UVA Children's |
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This generous gift from the New York Yankees, given on behalf of our patient Luke Post, will help support the needs of our pediatric cancer and Child Life programs!
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Childhood Cancer Awareness Month |
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Each year, 337 kids in Virginia are diagnosed with cancer, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The south tower of our hospital is one of at least 337 buildings across the state lighting up in gold to support them and National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Check out these social media posts about the gold-lit south tower:
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CDC Rates UVA Highly on Breastfeeding and Infant Care Survey |
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Here are a few news stories about our highly rated support for breastfeeding:
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Have a story idea? Let us know!
Working on an exciting new project? Want to spread the word about your clinic? Know a team member that should be recognized? We can help!
WCH Communication and Culture Workgroup
The WCH Communication and Culture workgroup focuses on team-building, keeping us all in touch with the meaning of our work, giving us all common language and common goals, and helping to ensure that every member of our team, regardless of role, feels welcomed, included, respected, heard, and valued. We are always seeking new members, new ideas, and feedback!
Please help us spread the word
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Monthly Matters newsletter archive
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