IS IT TRUE THAT SOME UVA HEALTH SENIOR LEADERS HAVE PRESSURED DOCTORS TO MAKE FALSE AND MISLEADING STATEMENTS IN PATIENT MEDICAL RECORDS?
We are Concerned Citizens of Charlottesville and Patients of UVA Health who are troubled by what we have heard from many UVA Health professionals over the past year.
These professionals are not only our doctors and nurses but also our friends, family and neighbors. They are not willing to use their names yet out of fear of retaliation by UVA Health senior leaders. We believe our community should value and protect its healthcare providers who have dedicated their lives to helping UVA patients.
If true, why would some UVA Health senior leaders pressure doctors to make false and misleading statements in patient medical records?
We have been advised by counsel that merely asking these questions could result in UVA Health senior leaders taking the following actions against their patients and concerned members of their community:
Send threatening cease and desist letters in an attempt to silence these questions.
Retaliate against the UVA Health professionals who are speaking out.
Deny the validity of any of this.
We’re dismayed by all of this.
Can you help us understand if this is true and if so…
What is going on at UVA Health?
A Parrhesiastes is someone who speaks the truth in a clear and honest way…
It's about the courage to speak one’s mind even when it's difficult or unpopular…to prioritize truth over social niceties or personal gain...
But speaking the truth can be dangerous. A Parrhesiastes understands this risk and is willing to face the consequences, from social disapproval to vindictive employers or even violence...
Because ultimately Parrhesiastes act out of a sense of duty. They believe speaking the truth is necessary for the greater good and to protect the people and institution they love.
Thank you for creating this website and allowing us to speak openly about the true horrors at UVA Health right now. This administration is the most toxic and corrupt administration that has ever run the hospital. They do not want to be questioned or challenged, and if they are you are met with intimidating meetings, retaliation, gaslighting, demotions, and potential termination. This leadership style is everything we have all learned not to do. It is known that when leaders lead this way, there is almost certainly something that they are trying to hide or cover up. The administration only cares about themselves and their salaries. They certainly do not care about patients or their employees. The c-suite has expanded more than it ever has. They hire people who are connected to them who will be loyal and not challenge them. It is quite obvious that those of us who have been at the health system for a while who have raised concerns are wanted out. Many of us refuse to cave to their disgusting and frankly disturbing leadership style and they cannot stand it. Therefore, we are met with fear and intimidation so that we will leave the institution. We have studied their behavior for a while now and their narcissistic tactics are so obvious - constantly on the offensive, and endless denial that they are aware of these issues which have been raised many many times by employees. Furthermore, when patient safety concerns are brought up, they get buried by the chairs. And, it has gotten to the point where employees have been asked to stop filling out safety concern reports because the chairs and administration don't want to hear about it anymore so that they continue to pretend that all is well. Speaking of chairs.. they have essentially all been replaced under this administration which again goes to show that they want allegiance. It is known that UVA's president is aware of these complaints concerning the health system, yet we continue to work in this poisonous environment everyday because we believe in UVA's actual mission. It's a shame we are in this situation because UVA really is a wonderful institution and Charlottesville has an amazing community. To ALL of the leaders of UVA - this is a cry for help. Please stop playing politics and get our health system and frankly our employee's mental health back to a safe place so that we can be the very best. We will stand together and continue to speak out as loudly as we can until something is done. You are better than this, UVA. Do the right thing.
I think our evaluations are also telling. It’s very clear that UVA is an organization with no concern for its people when your direct supervisor rates you a 2/5 but your direct Peers (physicians you work with day in and out ), on an anonymous 360 survey, rate you 4.8/5. The lack of concordance is stark. The disconnect between even the lowest level “leaders,” and the people they supposedly “lead,” is astounding. This is indicative of a failure of leadership at the Chair level, CMO level on up. Even the most early, inexperienced leaders know, having your finger on the pulse of your team is critical. Taking the time to understand what drives your people is fundamental. Asking “what brings you to work everyday,” can be enlightening. So you may ask, what would lead a “ leader” to rate one of their people a 2/5? How about coming in early and leaving late? How about staying for hours past the end of your shift to assist newly minted attendings with absolutely no mentorship or help with procedures and management of patients? A 2/5 for performing the leaders job. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻