At VCSQI, collaboration and community engagement are at the heart of our mission. This year, we were thrilled to announce a new and exciting initiative - Collaborator of the Year award. Eddie Fonner, our dedicated Executive Director, embarked on a journey to personally visit each nominee, recognizing their outstanding contributions and fostering a sense of unity within our community.
Photo includes Mike Brown (Mary Washington), Eddie Fonner (VCSQI) and Freedom Fonner (VCSQI)
A Journey of Recognition and Appreciation
Eddie's road trip is more than just a series of visits; it's a journey of recognition, appreciation, and inspiration. The nominees for the Collaborator of the Year award have shown exceptional dedication to improving cardiac care, fostering innovation, and building strong partnerships across the healthcare spectrum. Our goal was to visit each nominee in person, to shine a spotlight on their hard work and commitment, while also gathering valuable insights to share with the broader VCSQI community. Although we couldn't visit every nominee, we have mailed their tokens of appreciation and hope they will share a selfie to add to our Wall of Fame.
Meeting the Heroes of Healthcare
Judy Smith – UVA (Winner)
Judy Smith, the deserving winner of the Collaborator of the Year award, received her recognition at the Spring Quarterly Meeting in March 2024. Judy’s outstanding work at UVA has revolutionized cardiac care through her tireless efforts in patient advocacy and innovative care models. Her leadership and collaborative spirit have significantly impacted the quality of care provided at UVA.
Michael Brown – Mary Washington
Eddie had the pleasure of visiting Michael Brown. Michael’s commitment to integrating advanced cardiac technologies has transformed patient outcomes at Mary Washington Hospital. His dedication to continuous improvement and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams has set a new standard for cardiac care in the region. We captured some wonderful moments from this visit, which we are excited to share with you.
Nancy Fauber – UVA
Despite travel constraints, Nancy Fauber’s pioneering research in cardiac therapies and her collaborative approach with healthcare providers have led to significant advancements in the treatment of heart diseases. Her memento was mailed, and her contributions continue to resonate within the VCSQI community.
Peter O’Brien, MD – Centra
Dr. Peter O’Brien’s leadership in developing community-based cardiac care programs has enhanced access to quality care for many patients. His innovative strategies and commitment to collaboration have made a profound impact on the community. Although Eddie couldn’t visit Lynchburg, Dr. O’Brien’s memento was sent with our deepest appreciation.
J'nay Harshbarger – Inova
J'nay Harshbarger’s dedication to patient-centered care and her innovative approaches to cardiac rehabilitation have greatly benefited patients. Due to travel constraints, J'nay’s token of appreciation was also mailed, and her collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence continue to make her a standout nominee.
Robert Lancey, MD – Sentara
Another highlight of Eddie’s journey was his visit to Dr. Robert Lancey. Dr. Lancey was nominated for his exceptional contributions, including sharing his ideas, knowledge, and expertise in various capacities within VCSQI. His active participation in workgroups, presentations at quarterly meetings, and additional roles as a board member underscore his dedication. Photos from this visit showcase the spirit of collaboration and commitment that Dr. Lancey embodies.
Looking Ahead
Nominations for the 2024 Collaborator of the Year award will begin in December 2024. Until then, we are excited to continue shining a light on the exceptional contributions individuals and teams who are making a difference in cardiac care.
Photo includes Robert Lancey, MD (Sentara), Eddie Fonner (VCSQI)
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