Cardiac Diagnostics
December 2025
Cardiac Diagnostics
Inova Fairfax Medical Campus
Falls Church
,
VA
United States
Director, Tera Jenkins.
I just wanted to follow up on my conversation with Tera, as I was considering how fantastic the Cardiac Diagnostics team/department has been over the past few years, and I just thought they really deserve recognition. Not only do individual nurses go above and beyond to give excellent technical as well as empathetic care to each patient, but they also go above and beyond as a team. I have seen them work together to make sure that both the medical and psychosocial needs of patients are met.
From an outside observer's perspective, they collaborate as a team throughout the day. Whether it is discussing high-risk patients and creating plans for them, planning the schedule and how they will manage intake/recovery/procedures, or genuinely caring for each other's needs, they consistently collaborate in a positive manner. They additionally collaborate with the physicians working in the area.
When discussing a complex patient, they always approach the conversation in a thoughtful manner, informed by their experience but also always seeking to learn. They appropriately voice concerns and also have open minds to learn others' perspectives. When I personally have needed to change a plan with a patient, had a complex anesthetic in which I am concerned mid procedure, they are immediately available, communicating in a clear and concise manner, and display excellent situational awareness.
Finally, I have seen them create and succeed with initiatives in improving skillsets and care, for example, in training to place ultrasound-guided IVs. This improves the accuracy and reliability of IVs, therefore improving safety and also patient comfort. It also improves efficiency because they can obtain IV access before a procedure, rather than delaying procedures for this.
This team embodies each of the mission statements of Inova: patient always-they display the utmost care and empathy toward their patients with each interaction; our people-I cannot think of another department where I work which displays mutual respect more than this department; one team-the staff come from diverse backgrounds culturally and also in training, and they endorse contribution of ideas and knowledge from all; integrity-I see this constantly from all staff; excellence-the nurses are constantly looking to improve their already adept skillsets and knowledge bases.
From an outside observer's perspective, they collaborate as a team throughout the day. Whether it is discussing high-risk patients and creating plans for them, planning the schedule and how they will manage intake/recovery/procedures, or genuinely caring for each other's needs, they consistently collaborate in a positive manner. They additionally collaborate with the physicians working in the area.
When discussing a complex patient, they always approach the conversation in a thoughtful manner, informed by their experience but also always seeking to learn. They appropriately voice concerns and also have open minds to learn others' perspectives. When I personally have needed to change a plan with a patient, had a complex anesthetic in which I am concerned mid procedure, they are immediately available, communicating in a clear and concise manner, and display excellent situational awareness.
Finally, I have seen them create and succeed with initiatives in improving skillsets and care, for example, in training to place ultrasound-guided IVs. This improves the accuracy and reliability of IVs, therefore improving safety and also patient comfort. It also improves efficiency because they can obtain IV access before a procedure, rather than delaying procedures for this.
This team embodies each of the mission statements of Inova: patient always-they display the utmost care and empathy toward their patients with each interaction; our people-I cannot think of another department where I work which displays mutual respect more than this department; one team-the staff come from diverse backgrounds culturally and also in training, and they endorse contribution of ideas and knowledge from all; integrity-I see this constantly from all staff; excellence-the nurses are constantly looking to improve their already adept skillsets and knowledge bases.