Education Builds Hope

Did you know UVA Health is one of only three hospital systems in Virginia that offers a Hospital Education Program (HEP)? Since the late 1970s, the team — teachers, educational consultants, instructional assistants, media specialist/librarian, administrative technicians, and volunteers — has been providing educational services to our youngest patients, ages 2 to 22.
 
“We gain a lot of strength from our families,” says Principal Eric D. Johnson. “And the procedures some of the medical staff do these days to change or save young lives are amazing! We learn from the children themselves, too — with all of the obstacles they’re facing, their resiliency gives us hope. And in turn, we believe education builds their hope.”
 
HEP collaborates with many UVA Health team members. “Our HEP teachers are the glue that keeps our kids connected to their schools while in the hospital or coming to the clinic frequently,” says William Petersen, MD, MBA, Associate Chief Medical Officer, UVA Health Children’s. “Many of our patients say our teachers are their favorite hospital staff members, and wish they could continue to be taught by them even after discharge from the hospital!” Read more in Connect’s Hope at Work series.