Meet BSN Student McKenzie Jones
Competitive pickleball player. Needlepoint beginner. UVA football regular. First-generation college student. Babysitter and restaurant server—who’s already stepped up in an emergency while on the job. Big sister to two much younger siblings she has watched grow up. Studied abroad in Florence for 8 weeks, but values being close to home. A third-year BSN student at UVA School of Nursing, McKenzie is grounded in family, inspired by her grandmother’s path into nursing, and is discovering her own—now with an OB internship on deck this summer.
"My grandma was a nurse—she moved here from Canada when she was 18 to go to nursing school in Richmond, and she kind of helped raise me. I would literally take her computer and play doctor—like, ‘What brings you in today?’ That was my version of playing as a kid. I just remember being really little and knowing all the bones in the hand in kindergarten, and she was like, ‘Yeah…you’re probably going to end up in the medical field.” |
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Kia Ora from New Zealand!
Cathy Campbell, director of global initiatives and associate professor at UVA School of Nursing (pictured right), recently caught up with fourth-year BSN student Yesenia Diaz (pictured left), who is currently studying abroad at the University of Auckland as part of a semester-long exchange program. |
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New Ways to Learn, New Paths to Care
For School of Nursing faculty member Gretchen Wiersma, summer break has been anything but quiet.
The associate professor and RN-to-BSN specialty lead spent the past several months sharing innovative educational approaches with national audiences while also introducing the next generation of students to nursing and healthcare careers. Her activities ranged from conference presentations on game-based learning to a week-long program for high school students at UVA's Northern Virginia campus. |
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Mattos and Mahanes Named Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing
The American Academy of Nursing has selected two members of the UVA nursing community for its 2026 Class of Fellows, one of the profession's highest honors. Meghan K. Mattos, PhD, RN, CNL, associate professor at UVA School of Nursing, and Sandra "Dea" Mahanes, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN, CNRN, HEC-C, a UVA School of Nursing alumna and clinical nurse specialist at UVA Health, were among the nurse leaders chosen for the prestigious distinction. |
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In the News . . .
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Richmond Times-Dispatch (8-4) Sherrie Page Guyer, clinical instructor of nursing, writes about the importance of students meeting MMR vaccination requirements, especially before going back to school.
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UVA CEEO (7-30) Alanna Bergman, assistant professor, and Randy Jones, associate dean for partner development and professor, at UVA School of Nursing were recently announced as members of the inaugural cohort of Community Excellence Faculty Fellows.
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UVA Today (7-29) UVA Northern Virginia's INSPIRE program, the brainchild of School of Nursing faculty member Gretchen Wiersma and Nathan Mart, a workforce development program manager at Inova, exposes local teens to healthcare professions.
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UVA Today (7-23) Rising fourth-year student Sarah Jun (BSN '27) is spending her summer as a medic at Pine Island Camp, following in the footsteps of former School of Nursing students in a tradition that dates back 15 years.
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Story District (7-1) Emily Timmreck (MSN '03, BSN '98) shares how one leap of faith took her to Thailand, to a shelter in Chiang Mai, and into a friendship that would shape her life.
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Our CommunitySchool of Nursing Alumni Spotlight
As UVA School of Nursing celebrates 125 years of nursing excellence, we wish to spotlight alumni who inspire others through their work, mentorship, compassion, and leadership. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to nominate a UVA School of Nursing alum who made a lasting impact on them. Nominees may be featured on UVA School of Nursing's website, newsletters, and social media. Help us celebrate the nurses who carry on the legacy of UVA School of Nursing excellence and whose influence continues to ripple across generations. We will obtain permission from the nominee before publishing any information submitted.
UVA Health Virtual Primary Care On Demand Is Here!
Now seeing children (ages 5 and up) and adults! Offering the same expert, compassionate care patients expect from UVA Health in a convenient, on-demand format, it covers a full range of primary care needs, including: long-term primary care, or an interim solution until care is established with an in-person primary care provider (PCP); same-day and immediate care; and evening and weekend hours. Schedule an appointment online at uvahealth.com.
CCI Guided Meditation with Betty Mooney
Thursdays, 1 PM, on Zoom
Market Square
Shop for beautiful flowers, unique crafts, baked goods, fresh produce, and delicious eats from local food trucks. Vendors include It’s Poppin’ Time, Little Manila, Mexican Tacos, Mr. Baker, Miss Day Delights, and Tealicious Cafe. Stop by Thursdays through September 24.
Thursdays, 11 AM-2 PM, Courtyard at MR5
2nd Annual Virginia Universities Career Fair
Students and alumni from participating Virginia colleges and universities are invited to an afternoon of networking and career exploration. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with regional employers from a variety of industries who are actively recruiting talented students and alumni from Virginia's top institutions. Partner schools include UVA, George Mason University, JMU, Marymount University, Norfolk State University, University of Richmond, Virginia Tech, and William & Mary.
Alumni Registration Link
Current Student Registration Link
Aug. 13, 4-7 PM, UVA Northern Virginia Fairfax campus
Claude Moore Health Sciences Library Open House
You are invited an open house on Tuesday, September 22! Whether you're a student, clinician, support staff, or faculty member, there is something for everyone. Meet the library team, explore UVA Groups and departments, enjoy free treats, and participate in a scavenger hunt. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and have fun!
Sep. 22, 12 PM-2 PM, UVA Claude Moore Health Sciences Library
18th Annual Therapeutic Apheresis Academy (TAA)
This dynamic 2½-day, multidisciplinary conference is designed for physicians and allied health professionals interested in therapeutic apheresis, featuring expert-led sessions, hands-on learning opportunities, and interactive case discussions. Explore topics from apheresis fundamentals to emerging clinical applications, including a dedicated Nursing and Allied Health focus, while learning alongside nationally recognized experts and experienced frontline clinicians. UVA Faculty and Staff receive discounted registration. Optional hands-on workshop available for an additional fee. For details and to register, visit the course website.
Sep. 24-26, UVA Pinn Hall Conference Center
Students: Apply for Sigma Beta Kappa Membership
This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a prestigious global network of over 100,000 nurse leaders, dedicated to advancing excellence in nursing. Apply today and take the next step in your professional journey! Application criteria if you are a current UVA Nursing Student: 1) Students must be in good standing within the university; 2) Students must be at least ½ way through their program of study; and 3) Students must have a GPA of at least 3.5 or higher. Apply online.
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Continuing Education Presented by the School of Nursing and UVA Health
Medication Management for Older Adults: A Framework for Addressing Polypharmacy
Older adults with multimorbidity often receive treatments guided by single-disease recommendations that may not align with their overall health status, prognosis, or personal goals. Caitlin Burchfield, DNP, RN, AGPCNP-BC, leads this pharmacology update that provides a practical, frailty-informed framework for identifying potentially inappropriate medications, recognizing opportunities for deprescribing and de-escalation of care, and engaging patients and families in shared decision-making. Participants will learn how to apply evidence-based tools to optimize medication regimens while prioritizing quality of life and goal-concordant care.
Sep. 1, 4-5 PM, on Zoom
Advancing Tuberculosis Prevention: Screening, Diagnosis, and Short-Course Regimens
Alanna J. Bergman, PhD, RN, AGNP-BC, assistant professor at UVA School of Nursing reviews current best practices in tuberculosis screening and diagnosis with an emphasis on identifying and managing tuberculosis infection. It highlights the growing role of rifamycin-based regimens and newer short-course preventive therapies that improve adherence and outcomes. Participants will discuss practical considerations for selecting, monitoring, and implementing these regimens in diverse clinical settings.
Sep. 10, 4-5 PM, on Zoom
2026 Caring Beyond Cure: Cultivating Excellence in Pediatric Palliative End-of-Life Care
This pediatric End-of-Life care conference will address compassionate communication, symptom management, cultural and ethical considerations, family support, grief, interdisciplinary teamwork, and strategies to improve quality of life for children with life-limiting conditions and their caregivers. Event jointly provided by UVA Health Continuing Education and Hospice of the Piedmont. Register for the event.
Oct. 6, 7:30 AM-4:30 PM, Hillsdale Conference Center
53rd Annual Edward W. Hook, Jr., MD, Recent Advances in Clinical Medicine
This efficient conference is a multidisciplinary, interprofessional continuing education conference designed to provide primary care, family medicine, and internal medicine clinicians with the knowledge, skills, and clinical "pearls of wisdom" to practice state-of-the-art generalist medicine. Offered virtually and in-person, up to 22 CME credits are available for Physicians, Physician Associates, APPs, Nurses, and Pharmacists. Early bird registration is now open.
Oct. 21-23, Virginia Guest House Conference Center
Learning to PIVOT: Preparing Nurses for Constant Change
Sharon Bragg, DNP, RN, CCRN, CNL, assistant professor at UVA School of Nursing, discusses the concept of pivoting in healthcare, with a focus on responding to changing clinical situations. Participants will discuss the alignment between clinical judgement and the ability to pivot, emphasizing how decision-making supports safe patient care. There will also be discussion of strategies to assist nursing students and practicing nurses to develop skills and confidence to pivot in healthcare.
Nov. 12, 4-5 PM, on Zoom |
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Charted is published every other Monday by UVA School of Nursing. To submit a news item, please email cab4s@virginia.edu by close of business Wednesday the week before publication. |
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