Health Unit Coordinator Awards

• Nominees must have been employed with the UVA Health University Medical Center for at least three months.
• Nomination exemplars must have a minimum of 300 words total, and include specific examples in each criterion in order to be eligible.  
• The nominee’s manager/direct supervisor must support the nomination.

Process:

Nominations will be accepted for 2026 from Friday, June 26 until Friday, July 31. Nomination exemplars must have a minimum of 300 words and include specific examples in order to be eligible.  Nominations are de-identified and assigned by category to nursing partners for review. The selection committee scores nominations ranking them based on evidence provided within the nomination exemplar.

The HUC of the Year Award recipient will be announced at a surprise presentation int their practice area during the National Health Unit Coordinator Week in August. 

Eligibility:

Any Medical Center employee, NPGO Member, or UVA School of Nursing student may nominate a HUC for this award. Nominees must have been employed with the UVA Health University Medical Center for at least three months. The nominee’s manager/direct supervisor must support the nomination.
 

Criteria:

A specific example must be submitted for each criterion below in order to be considered complete and valid.  Examples provided must have occurred within the last 12 months, be consistent with the mission and values of UVA Health, and be consistent with our care delivery system, Relationship-based care. Documentation submitted should describe caring that goes beyond the expected behaviors associated with providing competent and compassionate patient care. In order to submit a robust and competitive nomination, please ensure to elaborate as much as possible with specific examples of behaviors identified.  Providing more than one example and telling a story is strongly encouraged and will elevate the quality of your nomination. 

Nominees for this award should demonstrate the following:

• CUSTOMER SERVICE: Demonstrates exceptional acts of skill that go beyond the expected behaviors associated with providing compassionate customer service. These skills include the communication between team members, patients, and families, as well as the safety and rehabilitation of our patients.

• PATIENT ADVOCACY: Successfully advocates for resources to support elements of relationship based care, and actively partners with patients and families to assess needs related to the patient experience, and employs problem-solving techniques to influence change within the organization.

• EMPATHY: Nominee demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and the ability to provide care to patients with diverse values, beliefs and behaviors.  Applies available resources to meet patients’ social, cultural, and linguistic needs. This team member is kind, compassionate, and always ensures our patients and their family are involved and engaged in their own care.

• TEAMWORK: This nominee is able to lead by example, and excels in a group setting. They are able to provide constant and effective support to colleagues, and are able to jump-in and assist at all times. They are seen as a team player, and are an asset to the care team.