SOM Faculty Among Winners of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. UVA Health Award

Juliana Bueno, MD

In his nomination letter, Alan Matsumoto, MD, Chair and Theodore E. Keats Professor of Radiology, said, “I have loved working with Dr. Bueno and supporting her ideas and efforts. She is continuously thinking of ways and implementing initiatives to nurture a culture of inclusivity and challenge the department to increase its cultural awareness and competency. Simple things like adding celebrations of different religious holidays across multiple ethnicities on our department’s LCD screens have both a visible and subliminal message that diversity and inclusivity not only matter, but will also help the department and institution to become more innovative and successful, while better serving our growing diversity of patients and learners.”

What does this award mean to me?

Dr. Juliana Bueno: “This award is humbling and meaningful in every way. I feel fortunate to find supportive leadership, open to new ideas that promote a change in culture, and to be able to contribute to our institution as we work toward improving equity and opportunity in graduate medical education. I am grateful for everyone else who has been involved in the initiatives that we have implemented in our department, including radiology residents, medical students, colleagues, and our administrative staff.”

A. Rashard Dacus, MD

In their nomination letter, Mark Abel, MD, Charles H. Frankel Emeritus Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, and Bobby Chhabra, MD, Chair, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, President, University Physicians Group, said, “Dr. Rashard Dacus, like Dr. King, is a humble servant leader whose career has been dedicated to creating a more equitable and inclusive environment for residents, patients, and professionals. Beneath this quiet demeanor is a thoughtful and insightful man who has offered advice and mentorship to many within our UVA Health System, including the professionals working in the GME office, faculty physicians, residents, fellows, and medical students. Thus, his influence within [UVA Health] and [the School of Medicine] has been tremendously impactful through his roles as physician, mentor, and community liaison.”

What does this award mean to me?

Dr. Rashard Dacus: “This award is special because of the individual it is named after and the ideals that he stood for. To be recognized by my department, peers, and the Medical Center gives me reassurance that others also see the value of the work.”

Akua Nyarko-Odoom

In her nomination letter, Jackie Martin, Director of Community Partnerships and Health Equity, shared words from Doreen Bonnet, Executive Director, Birth Sisters of Charlottesville: “Akua has been phenomenal in her leadership. As a student specializing in OB/GYN, she has an obvious passion in supporting mothers through their birth journey. What I witness is the high level of compassion and graciousness she brings to this project focus. She is eager to receive our very candid insights on the challenges BIPOC women face during their maternal health experiences, specifically as it relates to interactions with medical staff. She has been able to take this insight and offer and implement suggestions to ensure the success of this project. It is also evident that her team has a high level of respect for her leadership. She has led biweek meetings, laid the groundwork for two successful focus group meetings with mothers of color and doulas, helped with the writing of the project brochure, among other project activities. … It warms my heart that someone of her caliber will be an OB/GYN bringing compassion and understanding to the women she will serve.”

What does this award mean to me?

Akua Nyarko-Odoom: “The MLK Award means a lot to me. The joy I’ve found in building communities that are committed to service has always been deeply fulfilling, but receiving this kind of encouragement is like icing on a cake. It’s an affirmation of the way I’ve chosen to practice medicine, where I’m constantly thinking about and making strides toward achieving health equity. More importantly, I see it as a celebration of all the wonderful people I’ve been lucky enough to work with and be mentored by. It’s an honor to be recognized in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s spirit and memory, and I am so appreciative to those who nominated me!”

Timothy Pierce, PharmD, MSHA

Justin Vesser, Director, Ambulatory Pharmacy wrote a nomination letter for both Timothy Pierce and Veronica Desper. Veronica withdrew her nomination in support of Timothy. Vesser said, “I have observed in them both a passion for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in every aspect of their work at UVA Health. Tim is a pharmacist managing the Meds to Beds discharge team as well as six ambulatory clinical pharmacists. … Both of their positions are highly specific and operations-heavy, but both have made the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion a cornerstone of their leadership style to their teams and their patients. Their teams are some of the most diverse in the Pharmacy department, and they lead by example every day to make our environment a safe place to be yourself, directly in line with our ASPIRE values.”

What does this award mean to me?

Dr. Timothy Pierce: “I am thankful and grateful to know that the efforts that I’m very passionate about advancing are not going unrecognized. I do this work not for the accolades or for the notoriety but I believe in doing what is right and providing a voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless. Martin Luther King Jr. was fearless and intentional about creating meaningful change that would disrupt the status quo. His work is the reason why we can make impactful change today. This award serves as a reminder to me that I must continue to pave the way forward for future generations, the same way that Martin Luther King Jr. paved the way for my generation in the fight for equality and justice for all!”

David Simmons, RN

In their nomination letter, Marianne Baernholdt, PhD, RN, Sadie Heath Cabaniss Professor, Dean, UVA School of Nursing; and Randy Jones, PhD, RN, Associate Dean for Partner Development and Engagement, said, “We often see those who are loudest and seek the spotlight first because they elbow their way to the front; David’s voice is powerful because of how it’s rooted in respect, compassion, faith, knowledge, and science. It’s also been steadfast: not the loudest, but the most resolute. His kindness and warmth make him an incredible nurse and champion of public health. We can think of no one more deserving of the MLK Award than David Simmons, who has been and continues to be a quiet force for change, for understanding, and for good.”

What does this award mean to me?

David Simmons: “Dr. King’s life is about service. I believe that my life is about service to the community. This award validates/confirms my commitment of service. I am honored to be selected as one of the recipients of the MLK UVA Health service awards. Quoting my pastor Dr. Alvin Edwards, ‘I would rather wear out than to rust out.’ I am deeply honored by this acknowledgement.”