Nurses Walk for Wellness
New this year to our Nurses Week events is Nurses Walk for Wellness. Whether you take a quick walk on your break or join us for a Group Walk event, every step is a reminder that caring for yourself is just as important as caring for our patients. This event was designed to have something for everyone. You can participate anytime, anywhere as long as your mind or body is active. Keep reading to learn how caring for yourself can add some fun into your week and a chance to win prizes!
Group Walk Events
Join us for a walk together to celebrate! Take a lap or two any time during the hour for a chance to increase your step count, chat with colleagues, and enjoy a change of scenery during your shift.
- Thursday, May 7, 1200-1300, Fontaine (weather permitting as event will be outside)
- Meeting location: Outside 560 building at the tables
- We look forward to having one of our Pet Therapy volunteers join us for this special event, barring no objections or schedule changes by our four-legged friend!
- Our very own UVA Chaplaincy Team will be available to give Blessing of the Hands.
- Friday, May 8, 0200-0300 (Thursday night shift), Main Hospital
- Meeting location: Main Lobby near PCC walkway; look for Nursing flags
- Monday, May 11, 1200-1300, Ortho Ivy (weather permitting as event will be outside)
- Meeting location: Back patio behind the main lobby
- We look forward to having one of our Pet Therapy volunteers join us for this special event, barring no objections or schedule changes by our four-legged friend!
- Our very own UVA Chaplaincy Team will be available to give Blessing of the Hands.
- Tuesday, May 12, 1100-1200, Main Hospital
- Meeting location: Main Lobby near PCC walkway; look for Nursing flags
- Our very own UVA Chaplaincy Team will be available to give Blessing of the Hands.
Wellness Challenges
Congratulations to the 2026 National Nurses Week Walk for Wellness Winners!
Diana Russell, RN Care Coordinator, Heart Center
Emily Flippen, Charge Nurse, Urology Clinic
Brittany Stewart, RN Clinician 2, MICU
Hanna Potter, RN Admin Coord Perioperative Education, Training & Special Projects, Main OR
Jessica Gehin, RN Care Coordinator, Ehlers Danlos Center
Felicia Samuel, Nurse Manager, Heart Center
Tanisha Miles, RN Clinician 2, 5 West
Giovanna Matzeder, RN Clinician 2, MICU
Kelly Koch, RN Clinician 2, 6 East
Julie Martin, Nursing Supervisor, Staffing Resource Office
Ways to participate:
- Enter your type of movement: walking, running, biking, swimming, exercise class, etc.
- Complete one of the daily themes and submit a photo:
Wednesday, May 6 | Bestie Walk Wednesday
Thursday, May 7 | Hydration Station (walk with your favorite beverage)
Friday, May 8 | Walk Outside
Saturday, May 9 | Reaching new heights (do stairs, hike a mountain, run hills)
Sunday, , May 10 | Sunday Funday with Family & Friends!
Monday, May 11 | Meditation Monday
Tuesday, May 12 | Walk in a Group!
Walking Routes and Mindfulness Exercises
We created maps of various walking routes you can use during your work day.
Main Hospital | Inside walking route: Look for blue and orange Nurses Week signs along the way that feature Mindfulness Checkpoints. Scan the QR code for short mindfulness activities, gratitude prompts, and stretching to reset during your day.
Main Hospital | Outside walking route
Fontaine | Outside walking route
Orthopedic Center Ivy Road | Outside walking route
Riverside | Outside walking route
Northridge Medical Park | Outside walking route
For outside routes, use the links below for mindfulness activities to incorporate into your walk break.
Mindfulness Exercises
Resources:
Consider using Personify Portal, offered by UVA HR, as a resource for you and your team. You can track steps, set walking goals, complete challenges for rewards, create challenges for a group, and build healthy habits.
- Hoo’s Well connecting with Personify Portal
- YouTube Video explaining Hoo’s Well program
- Create an account HERE