In Our Own Words

We invite you to learn a little more about just a few of the team members who work here. Their professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm -- both inside VCU Health and beyond -- is representative of the excellence we see in each of our 13,000 colleagues. We thank each of our team members for the infinite impressions they make on our patients, visitors and community every minute, every hour, every day. Because of them, we have earned countless local, statewide and national awards and recognitions. 

“This is a flagship team, which has led the country in integrating the chaplain at a very high level,” he shares. “I’m very excited to be a part of that. I feel very humbled at times…and I always feel very respected and supported by my team. They respect spiritual care. They respect what I do.” – Tim Ford, Chaplain

 

“I am excited that I accomplished the goal of finally getting my bachelor’s degree…and I’m excited that I bought our house and that I have the opportunity to continue advancing within the Health System.” – Sharonda Baldwin, Outpatient Program Coordinator

 

“It feels good when I look to our leaders and I am impressed by them. I am excited about the strategic vision of this organization, and I know I can grow professionally by participating in that.” -- Reuben Southall, IT Program Manager

 

"I absolutely love coming to work every day ... there are tons of benefits for working mothers and working fathers." – Gauri Gulati, M.D.

 

"I knew all along that we delivered excellent, quality care but it just takes it to a whole different level when you're actually the recipient." – Kevin Cox, RN

 

Thoughts from Our Team

“We need to continue to conduct research and collect the money to eliminate cancer because there are still way too many people who are going through treatment plans or unfortunately die because of it.”

Kevin Shimp RN,
Acute Care Surgery

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“Every day when [Keagan] comes to work, he has a smile. Sometimes he even will sing to us in the morning. And if someone on his route doesn’t see him, they’ll ask where he is. He has quite a fan club.”

Tameka Jackson
Manager, Patient Transportation

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“My mother told me at a young age, you cannot live in this world without giving something back. How you give it is up to you.”

Deby Cotman
Central Sterile Processing

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“Since CHAT started, I’d bet that a thousand kids have been touched. That’s huge. It’s all about being a good neighbor.”

Ben Hester
Inpatient Pharmacy Services

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“My ability to connect with people is my greatest skill. I think that’s why I was attracted to psychiatry because that's where strong interpersonal skills make a lot of impact.”

Dr. Ifey Utah
Department of Psychiatry

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“When we worked in [Washington] D.C., I thought we had it great. But when we moved here and started working at VCU Health, I realized, ‘now THIS is great.”

Robyn Murray
RN, Supplemental Staffing

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“I love pediatrics. You have the opportunity to make a big impact on a child’s life, and you can really see the impact you make on their health and well-being.”

Mary Henck
Children’s Hospital of Richmond

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“I don’t want to ever just have one project. I always want to have more to do. That’s why I do a little of everything.”

Susan Beavers
2011 Employee of the Year and Wound Care Team program support assistant

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“I’ve been at here my whole life. I was born here, I received two degrees here and now I work here.”

Roxanne Mercer
Department of Pathology

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“My girls look around and don’t feel like they’re different. Because VCU Health has such a multicultural environment, my daughters are immersed in incredible diversity at day care, which is fantastic.”

Kim Dembeck
CRNA

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“Flexibility in other institutions may be common, but the difference at VCU Health is that you are still considered a valued contributor, with the ability to be creative about how you meet the needs of your career.”

Dr. Stephanie Call
Department of Internal Medicine