Dear Team,

Each month we plan to highlight one of our core ASPIRE values. This month, our focus is on stewardship. Stewardship means carefully and responsibly managing what is entrusted to our care. Stewardship is often thought of as a financial value. When we use the definition above, it goes way beyond just finances. Here are a few ways to think about it:

Patient Care

We each have a responsibility to steward the care of our patients and the relationships with our patient families. There are many ways we can ensure we are good stewards of patient and family care. For example, be an expert in your job role. Stay up to date on evidence-based practice and the best industry practices for the care of children. Know your area's standard work for patient care and follow it. If you aren't able to deliver excellent patient care, reach out for assistance. Finally, learn about Family Centered Care and what it means at UVA Children's. 

Human Resources

We also have a responsibility to steward our human resources. We can each contribute to building a culture of collegiality and respect. You are our best recruiters and retainers. Share your positivity and joy with those around you work to create a sense of belongingness for everyone on the team. 

Environment and safety

We also need to be good stewards of both the physical and virtual work environments. If you see something that needs to be fixed, don't assume someone else has taken care of it. If you don't have time in the moment, use the MESS board on your unit to track issues with equipment and supplies. Stewarding the virtual environment means keeping patient information safe and only using UVA electronic resources for work related activities. Whether it's the virtual or physical environment, if you see something that concerns you, speak up. Protect our workplace and your coworkers by remaining situationally aware. Don't allow people you don't know to tailgate you into the building unless they have a UVA badge. 

We hope this value moment inspires you to think differently about why stewardship is an important and necessary part of our ASPIRE values. Practicing good stewardship is a mission critical part of all of our roles. 

As always, thank you for all that you do, 

Jim, Liz, Karin, Billy, Ann, Jennifer, Paola & Pete

UVA Children’s the No. 1 children’s hospital in Virginia

For the second consecutive year U.S. News and World Report named UVA Children’s the No. 1 children’s hospital in Virginia. Children’s also ranked in the top 50 for 6 specialties.

· Neonatology #32

· Pediatric Cardiology & heart surgery #20

· Pediatric Diabetes & Endocrinology #49

· Pediatric Gastroenterology & GI Surgery 339

· Pediatric Neurology & Neurosurgery #45

· Pediatric Pulmonology & Lung Surgery #44

U.S. News rankings identify hospitals providing the highest-quality care to children with severe or complicated medical conditions. Metrics used include:

•   patient outcomes,

•   best practices to improve patient safety,

•   availability of specialized programs, and

•   a national reputational survey of pediatric specialists.

We thank you for making this happen. Your expertise in caring for our complex patient population and your focus on quality outcomes is what makes us the best place for children and their families to seek care in the Commonwealth. We are so proud to work with you all every day. Your commitment to excellence is extraordinary.

Quotes of the Week

July 4: “If you have a strong purpose in life, you don’t have to be pushed. Your passion will drive you there.” ~ Roy T. Bennett

July 11: “Nothing will divert me from my purpose.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

July 18: “The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to make things better.” ~ Robert F. Kennedy

July 25: “When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible.” ~ Howard Schultz  

Mark Your Calendar

• Cord Blood Awareness Month
• International Group B Strep Throat Awareness Month
• Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
• National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month
• National Childhood Obesity Week (July 4 - 10)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• World Hepatitis Day (July 28)
• Intern Day (July 29)

Welcome, Dr. Paola Gehrig, Chair, UVA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Pediatrics 

Obstetrics and Gynecology

CHRC Seminar Series

Genetic and Epigenetic Insights Into Kidney Dysfunction 

Speaker: Benjamin L. Spector, MD University of Missouri-Kansas City Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Faculty Candidate

Date: Thursday, July 7

Time: 1:00 –2:00 pm

In-person location: Pinn Hall Room 1005

Virtual: https://virginia.zoom.us/j/97445893124?pwd=cU1qa3p6Zk9RKytvY1pRVktDU2lJUT09

Meeting ID: 974 4589 3124       

Passcode: 863708

Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth in Impoverished Children From Low-Income Countries

Speaker:  Jeffrey R. Donowitz, MD Assistant Professor Pediatric Infectious Diseases Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU Special Seminar, Faculty Candidate 

Date: Tuesday, July 19

Time: 12:30 – 1:30 pm

In-person location: Battle Building, Quayle Conference Center

Virtual: https://virginia.zoom.us/j/97147966576?pwd=dE8xdVVwd0ZVTlNSTTgrVDFnZmUyUT09

Meeting ID: ID 971 4796 6576

Passcode: 422479

Wisdom and Wellbeing LEADER and PEER SUPPORT REP training

Below please find the information about sign-ups for Wisdom and Wellbeing LEADER and PEER SUPPORT REP training. We are so excited to offer these trainings to help take the culture, communication, and wellbeing work to the next level in Women’s and Children’s. 

WCH LEADER TRAINING:

You are invited to participate in the Wisdom, Wellbeing, and Peer Support Team (WWPST) Leader training. Leader understanding of fundamental WWPST principles supports ways to integrate wisdom and well-being actions into leadership practice. As a leader, you know the strengths and challenges of your teams, can understand what can help in the moment, and recognize when additional support needs to be requested. The goals for leaders using the WWPST knowledge and skills include:

1. Leader strategies to promote well-being and respond to stress injuries

2. Strategies to address system-based stressors

3. Wisdom communication skills for leaders

4. Leader and team well-being resources

The WWPST leader training builds on foundational Wisdom and Wellbeing content. The recent Pediatric Grand Rounds is an excellent starting point. Participants are requested to have participated in or watched the Pediatric Grand Rounds as a pre-requisite to the training.

The WWPST leader training is designed to be presented in one 2-hour session. Registration is limited to 24 participants per offering.

WCH leaders are asked to register for one of the upcoming WWPST Leader training opportunities:

Wed, July 13, 4-6pm:

  https://virginia.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpcu-vqjIoHdUL4N8DjPBOKci2Y2-joS1T

Fri, Aug 12, 7-9am:

  https://virginia.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUrf-gqD0pHd0FmKr9S4YXguKZ_KzSsxZr

Wed, Sept 28, 4-6pm:

  https://virginia.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrd-igrT8rHNY5ERORUGU-cvDiJoytiHWn

Fri, Oct 14, 11-1pm:

  https://virginia.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsdeCtrjkoHNKJmB8i6cdllOc-pDiLB7l1

WCH WISDOM AND WELLBEING PEER REPRESENTATIVE TRAINING:

As promised, here is the information about the Wisdom and Wellbeing Training. We strongly encourage all peer reps to participate in this training! As a Peer Support Team Member, you will have knowledge and resources to be able to support and enhance the teams that you work with every day, you will have a broad overview of the program and its resources. As a peer, you know the strengths and challenges of your colleagues, can understand what can help in the moment, and recognize when additional support needs to be requested. The goals of the Peer Support Team Member role include:

1. Develop an increased awareness and knowledge of resources to help those in distress

2. Identify unit or organization’s stress support gaps in resources and learn ways to fill them

3. Promote peer support within their work sphere, receive ongoing training refreshers, and be part of a network of peer supporters.

The Peer Support Team Member Training is designed to be presented in four modules. The training as been divided into two 2-hour blocks via Zoom that are offered one week apart for the Women's and Children's Hospital team.

Please sign up for one of the 2-part trainings. Registration is limited to 24 participants per offering.

Module 1: Peer Support Approach

Module 2: Stress First Aid

Module 3: Peer Support Strategies

Module 4: Team and Unit Support

The peer support team member training builds on foundational Wisdom and Wellbeing content. The recent Pediatric Grand Rounds is an excellent starting point. Participants are requested to have participated in or watched the Pediatric Grand Rounds as a pre-requisite to the training. You can use this link to view it.

WCH Peer Support Team Members are asked to register for one of the upcoming WWPST opportunities:

Thurs, July 7 & 14, 4-6pm:

  https://virginia.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJItf-yhrDgpEtCQTOGm5LXSvk4sOaI65KjV

Wed, Aug 10 & 17, 11-1pm:

  https://virginia.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrceCpqjgpH9ytnkgY_RHsH6m3e4yVVn_Q

Tues, Sept 13 & 20, 4-6pm:

  https://virginia.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIpfuqhqjkoGtA9AHHkAzoa-JPB3jCttV0D

Fri, Oct 28 & Nov 4, 11-1pm:

  https://virginia.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIudu-rpzooG9IEbhc66kOsH3BrtsdlcOf_

Pediatric Racial Justice Book Club 

We will meet by Zoom on Thursday, August 4 at 7p. We usually meet somewhere between 1.5-2 hours. You will receive a formal Outlook invitation with the Zoom link included (https://virginia.zoom.us/my/mjthomas) from my colleague Gufran Mohed. Please accept or decline the invitation so we can estimate the attendance.

Most importantly, I’m excited to announce that Taylor Harris, the author of This Boy We Made, will be joining us for a reading of her book, Q&A, and discussion.

If you have not yet requested a copy of the book, please contact Gufran Mohed.

COVID Vaccine Clinic 

Thanks to everyone who made our 4 and under Covid vaccine clinic event a success!

Peds Hem/Onc Donation

This donation came from a current patient family and they collected an enormous amount of toys from Lynchburg to Richmond. Amazing! 

A note from the family: "My daughter Morgan was diagnosed with B-Cell ALL in November 2019, shortly after her 4th birthday. The care she has received from the Peds Hem/Onc team has been remarkable! We can't thank you guys enough! One of the things that helped her through her treatments was the fact that she could pick out whatever toy she wanted to help her during her treatments, procedures, visits, and admissions. This was the one thing she could look forward to in a situation she had absolutely no control over and in a time needed most. It made her day better and her experience better. So with this, we wanted to give back do the same. Make the kids who need it most smile and make their day. Again, we can't thank you enough for everything you have done for Morgan as well as our family. With much love, Morgan, Mandy, Chris, Leia, and Ethan Johnston"

UVA Football Team Shoutout 

Members of the UVA Football Team have been coming to the hospital for a few hours on Fridays to engage one-on-one in therapy sessions with our pediatric patients. These sessions can look anything like walking together to the teen room to play xBox, or reading to our tiniest patients. We’re not sure who likes the visits better—the players or the patients! We’re grateful for this partnership and many thanks to physical, occupation, and speech therapy for helping to facilitate! 

Family Centered Care

• Completed road map for UVA Children’s Family Centered Care aspirations
• Football Players work 1:1 with patients and PT/OT– provided approximately 15 sessions in June. This has been a HUGE hit with both patients and players.
• Working towards screening questions to address food insecurity with every family that the CH sees. Currently this is only asked of every family in ambulatory. 
• SOHO book cart and Wii added in OPSC–iPads to hopefully come soon! :)
• Presented on Child Life and PFCC at Peds Essentials Class
• Giant donation for toy closet in infusion. The family and our Pediatric Infusion team met in front of the Battle Building for the drop off J See below for the group photo and this family’s story.    

Ambulatory

• Compensation approval for salaried renal and endo, diabetes RNCC that are on call for PD and diabetic patients. 
• Transitioned pre-op testing to LIP initiated but kept pediatric pre-op testing structure in place to support all pediatric pre-op testing requests
• Community mass vaccination clinics planned for the long awaited Covid baby vax (6mo-5yrs). Dose 1 - June 25th, Dose 2 - July 16th, Dose 3 - Sept. 10th
• Launched multidisciplinary Pediatric Dysautonomia Clinic on June 17th
• Launched PFA mini pods (some advantages - improve engagement with the different divisions, team members increase clinic specific knowledge, patient gets to the correct team member the first time)
• Ambulatory leadership team working hard to complete around 290 evaluations which includes conducting 1:1 sessions with each team member
• Recruiting for new Patient and Family Navigator roles (Cardiology, Developmental Pediatrics and General Pediatrics)
• Thanks to changes in RNCC compensation, we have been more successful in filling positions On-boarding 2 GI RNCC and a Renal RNCC
• Revamping the Renal PD program based on SCOPE guidelines.
• Re-launched the CNA, PCT, MA CH ambulatory committee with engaged leaders. Celebrated CNA, PCT, MA week with activities within ambulatory setting.

Quality

• Completed ACS Surgical Clinical Reviewer (SCR) certification exams to maintain NSQIP database
• Launched a Children’s Hospital Good Catch award recognizing those who call out and catch safety issues for pediatric patients throughout the hospital. (See below!)

Department of Pediatrics

• Dr. Swiatecka-Urban (Peds Nephrology Chief) was elected the next IROC Research Committee Chairperson. IROC (Improving Renal Outcomes Collaborative) unites 38 pediatric kidney transplant centers in the US dedicated to improving the outcomes through quality improvement and research. The power of working together is demonstrated by a 42% estimated reduction in acute rejection at the network pilot centers. The goal of the Research Committee is to promote cutting edge clinical, translational, and basic research to continue improving the outcomes <https://www.irocnow.org>.
• UVA PICU researchers, led by Dr. Mike Spaeder, have developed a predictive monitoring system for early detection of sepsis and urgent intubation, called "Continuous Monitoring of Event Trajectories", or CoMET. https://www.uvaphysicianresource.com/predictive-monitoring-technology/utm_source=mms&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=usnewschildrens&utm_content=dec21predictiveanalytics
• Rachel Moon was featured in a People article around safe sleep: https://people.com/parents/aap-new-safe-sleep-guidance-for-babies-no-co-sleeping-crib-decor-2022/
• Our own Drs. Hayley Stephens and Sara Groff Stephens were featured in UVA Connect in honor of Pride month Married Faculty Members Reflect on Pride Months Past & Present | Connect (uvaconnect.com)
• Dr. Debbie-Ann Shirley was featured in the New York Times regarding COVID vaccines for children under 5

NICU

• Our NICU multidisciplinary team exceeded our WIG with >50 % of team members participating in a unit-planned event by June 30!! From volunteerism, work outs with Peloton and [solidcore], breakfast club, a flower arrangement workshop, a Blue Ridge Tunnel walk - we had a blast!
• We achieved an RN certification rate of 67%!
• Ranked #32 with USNWR! One of 30 NICU’s in the country to be ranked in the Top 50 of the USNWR Best Children’s Hospitals continuously since 2014.
• Rolled out new developmental positioning devices after completion of competency training by our OT/PT/ RN champion team. These are evidence-based devices that give us tools for better positioning in support of neonatal development and outcomes.
• Team Member Shout Outs!
• Robin Chandler RN Clin II was the recipient of the Preceptor of the Year Award for UVA’s School of Nursing!
• Erin Nicholson and Lakeyia Kyle NICU PCT’s were both nominated for the PCT of the Year Award!
• NICU Nurses Val Semer, Jackie Crabtree, Nicole Durden-Mundy and Beth Ann Parkhill all received nominations for the Daisy Award 
• Val Semer RN Clin II had a “Good Catch” nomination related to emergency equipment and respiratory support of a patient.
• Welcome to Corrie Carter, PA to the NICU APP team.
• Welcome to 2 NICU APP travelers, Harun Abukar and Stacey Bless joining us in July.

PICU

• Team is very proud of the #20 US News ranking for Children’s pediatric cardiology and surgery
• Celebrating another month free of CAUTI, CLABSI, and HAPI injuries
• Hired additional Clin 1, up to 9 total
• Hired HUC
• PCT/CNA week recognition at the unit level: candy, gift, card
• PICU Daisy award nominee for May and June (Abby Blankenship and Kendall Madison)
• Performance evaluations well underway

Acute Care Pediatrics

• Successful CAR-T therapy. Nursing education, partnering with the physician team on new communication pathway for these patients
• Eighty-two one on one evaluations were completed
• Hired two additional PCT’s
• Dot phrases for cardiac “peds feeds” went live!
• BMT preparation
• Two CNA’s advanced to PCT’s after completing course
• PCA/PCT Week Celebration!
• Attending Nurses building a PEWS wig to increase response to PEWS.
• Continued implementation of K cards
• Laura Cromwell complete the Tools to Lead Course!
• Three charge nurses in the Dare to Lead class
• Continued Implementation of K-cards
• We said goodbye to Susan Steck as she transferred to a care coordinator role

Inpatient Therapies

• Celebrated Kathleen Borowitz’ s retirement. Kathleen was a SLP for 30 years. We wish her the best!

Antepartum/Mother-Baby

• Ice Cream Celebration for being chosen by Newsweek as US top 350 Hospital for Women’s Services
• Neve Gallagher – CNA of the year!
• Kelly Terreri advanced to a Clin 3
• Janice Steppe, CNA, – 20 year work-a-versary on M/B
• Safe Sleep CBL in process

Women's Clinic 

• Battle Building Maternal Fetal Medicine team welcomed a new team member Stephany Cardenas, CMA, who passed her Cyracom Interpreter Exam and will be able to interpret for our Spanish speaking patients. 
• Cindy Gibson, RN, will be retiring early August 2022. We wish her all the best and thank her for all her expertise, knowledge, and care to our patients. 
• Anna King, Health Educator, has developed child birth classes, virtual tours, and summer learning series which are offered to our OB patients and staff. We have seen a positive response and are excited to offer more educational opportunities for our patients! For more details or for the sign up links, please reach out to Anna King. 
• Both OB Clinics (Battle Building Maternal Fetal Medicine and Northridge Women's OBGYN Clinic) will begin the process to interview and hire a formal charge nurse for the clinics, which will help with patient throughput and patient satisfaction. 

L&D

• Ice Cream Celebration for being chosen by Newsweek as US top 350 Hospital for Women’s Services
• K cards created for triage SOP
• VMB updated with new patient safety risk rounds
• Vocera implemented for OB LIP’s

Manager and Supervisor teams

• Ashley Walters, Felisha Tyree, Robin Longo, & Bette Anne Connaughton all completed the Dare to Lead Series

The Children’s Hospital leadership recently decided to celebrate those who go the extra mile in ensuring that our patients receive the highest quality care and team members work in a safe environment. At the monthly Children’s Hospital Outcomes & Operations Team meeting, the following team members were highlighted from across the hospital. A certificate and a small token of appreciation were also given to the recipients. If you see these individuals, please give them a special thank you!

“In recognition of your efforts going above and beyond to enhance the quality and improve the care provided to our patients at UVA Children’s Hospital”

February

Beverly Castrina (Battle Building – 6th Floor)

March

Sharon Roberts (Allergy & Immunology Clinic)

April

Tyler Johnson (Radiology)

May

Sandra Campbell (Respiratory Therapy)

Upcoming Children’s Miracle Network Campaigns

• Now – July 10: Walmart & Sam’s Club Campaign
• July 28: Dairy Queen Miracle Treat Day

• Now – July 31: Dairy Queen Miracle Balloon Campaign
• Now – August 31: GIANT/Martin’s Grocery Campaign

• August 1 – 31: JOANN POS Campaign
• August 5 – 7: Ace Hardware Bucket Days

7 West: Every nurse and doctor was very considerate and mindful of our feelings, they made me feel more at ease about everything with my son. Amazing staff, not a single bad experience.

7 Central: My son has Autism and is non-verbal. That makes his care a little more difficult. Everyone we encountered was caring, compassionate, and worked with us as his parents to problem-solve as needed. We worked with a Child Life Specialist who helped us provide him with some sensory items that made a big impact for him. Every nurse we worked with on the Pediatric Floor was impressive - Danielle, Kendra, Melissa and Maddie. Thank you all!

8 Central OB: Nurses Aly & Sarah we're FANTASTIC throughout my labor and delivery of our son! I absolutely couldn't have done it without them! ALL of the nursing staff were wonderful on the mother baby wing as well. Overall, I am very happy with my hospital stay, the staff, and the facility. 

Peds Card: Excellent service, felt well cared for, doctors spoke in terms that we could both understand. Referred us on the spot so we did not have to make another trip. My family has only had positive experiences with this hospital.

Peds Surgery: Always have great experiences with UVA. Dr. Mcgahren is the best! The other medical professionals that saw us were wonderful as well, and front desk staff were extremely helpful and friendly.

Peds Genetics: Everyone was kind and knowledgeable

Peds Gastro: Dr. Barnes is amazing!  He cares about Dalton and genuinely wants his symptoms to improve.

NICU: Kristi Lancer and Lexi were FANTASTIC NICU nurses! Janet was great, too.

Peds Neurology: Dr. Garris & every provider we have came in contact with have been excellent.

Ortho Peds: Dr. Mark Romness is above and beyond with his patients, excellent provider. 

OTOL Peds: Great waiting room with lots of fun thins for kids. Great experience!

Peds Pulm: Dr. Teague is wonderful. Best pediatric physician I have ever encountered.

Dev Peds: I would recommend Dr. Sturgill to everyone she takes time with you and explains everything that you don't understand

Peds Endo: Dr. Burt Solozano has been outstanding in working with us on the health care needs and answering our questions

Peds Hem Onc: No complaints! Love the Battle Building crew!

Urology Peds: Nurse was extra friendly and my child is very impressed.

Maternal Fetal: I've had a tremendous experience with the midwives, and especially Halima. She provided not only excellent postpartum care but also was thoughtful and kind.

Teen & Young Adult: Dr. Louis-Jacques and the team at teen & young adult care are always very friendly, helpful, kind & very nice. Always has had a great service.

Northridge Peds: Dr. Ranney is the absolute best and I wouldn't want any other doctor

Peds BEH Med: Above all expectations. UVA is amazing in every way.

Peds Allergy: Sam was very caring and focused on our situation, even through a tele-health visit. We deeply appreciate her knowledge for our son's unique case.

Peds Diabetes: Dr. Schoelwer is the kindest and most caring doctor I've ever had!!

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!

Women's and Children's Wisdom and Wellbeing

The Communication and Culture workgroup is evolving into the Wisdom and Wellbeing Steering Committee and Peer Representatives. In alignment with UVA Health, we are expanding our efforts to include not only team building and resilience, but also stress first aid, peer support, and identification and removal of unnecessary stressors in the clinical work environment. Please let us know if you would like to get involved in this important work!

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