Staff news February 2025

Thank you to all who participated in the Facilities Management Blood Drive on Jan. 23. Twenty-two donations were collected by the American Red Cross. Over the past two years since FM re-started its regular blood drives, staff members have donated a total of 80 units, assisting 240 people in need of blood. The next FM Blood Drive is in June, more information to come.

George Southwell, associate director for UVA Health Construction with Capital Construction & Renovations, retired Jan. 25 after 38 years of service. Southwell started working at UVA in 1987 and has served in his current role for more than 30 years. Over 500 projects have been successfully completed at UVA Health during his leadership, which includes over four million square feet of space. In addition to the original University Hospital completed in 1989 and the most recent Emergency Department and Bed Tower addition, projects completed during Southwell's leadership include the Emily Couric Cancer Center, the Battle Building, the Education Resource Center, the Orthopedic Center at Ivy Road and many more new buildings and renovations of existing spaces. “Without his genuine interest in doing the right thing for the University and making sure all entities had representation of their interests throughout the life of the projects, there would be fewer of those successful buildings,” said Director of CC&R Mark Stanis. Check out photos from George Southwell's retirement gathering.

Bill Rockwell, health system engineer with Health System Physical Plant, retired Jan. 24 after 27 years of service. Rockwell first worked for the University starting in the 1990s and after a break in service was re-hired in 2006 in what was then known as the Facilities Planning & Construction department. During his time at FM, Rockwell received the Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) and Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) designations and served on the UVA Health Safety and Security Subcommittee's Utilities Workgroup. Rockwell's work has been instrumental in ensuring UVA Health is a safe place to receive quality care through detailed documentation and review of the health system's many regulatory requirements and guidelines. Check out photos from Bill Rockwell's retirement gathering.

Dan Ballard, senior mason with Health System Physical Plant Renovations, died on Jan. 27. Ballard worked at UVA for the past 17 years and was known for his positive and friendly attitude.