Left to right: Three of the SPARK Round-One Winners, Richard Rose, Dr. Christie Schaeffer, and Deb Curtis (Photo by Kay Taylor)
UVA Health’s inaugural Spark Innovation Competition this fall was a tremendous success, with six ideas selected for implementation. The purpose of the competition was for faculty and staff to share their good ideas for bringing positive change to the culture of UVA Health. With the theme of improving the clinical environment, most of the nearly 300 suggestions were focused on the patient experience, which demonstrates a patient centered mindset among our team members at UVA Health. The Spark Project Team, led by Andrew Southerland, MD, recommended the implementation of the six final ideas based on scope of impact, feasibility of implementation, and long-term sustainability of effort.
Congratulations to all the team members who had ideas selected for implementation! And thank you to everyone who participated. This year’s competition was so successful that it will run again next year with a theme of improving the research environment.
Ideas selected for implementation:
- Paint the parking garages with murals or bright colors with improved wayfinding | Ann Mercer, Peri-Operative Services
- Establish wellness space for exercise within the hospital for team members | Dr. Miriam Gomez-Sanchez, Hospital Medicine
- Create integrated mobile app that guides patients where to go during their appointments |Richard Rose, Telemedicine
- Expand access to medication reclaim boxes | Dr. Bob Goldstein, Anesthesiology
- Improve lactating experience for team members | Dr. Christie Schaeffer, Plastic & Maxillofacial Surgery Resident
- Offer free feminine supplies in bathrooms | Dr. Carrie Kovacik, Pharmacy Resident
Filed Under: Clinical