The Heart of a Cancer Center

Virginia National Bank Infusion Center Puts Patients First

Fifteen years ago, two cancer patients sat together in a dark infusion room receiving treatment.

Debbie Ryan, then UVA women’s head basketball coach, and Virginia State Senator Emily Couric looked at each other and agreed—it should be better than this.

An infusion center should be the heart and soul of a cancer center, the place where patients and their families spend countless hours as they receive lifesaving treatments.

Photo of an Infusion Bay at the Cancer Center

As they planned together, a vision emerged of a patient-centric facility, filled with light, warmth, and healing. In 2011, their shared dream was realized in the Couric Center. Central to the building is the infusion suite, made possible in part by a lead gift from Virginia National Bank.

“Creating the right environment for our patients is critical,” according to Jody Reyes MSBA, BSN, OCN, and administrator of cancer services. “The space needs to be safe and comfortable. Our nurses are expertly trained to deliver crucial therapies, and our team takes a lot of pride in the care we deliver.”

Today, the suite accommodates more than 100 patients daily and is open seven days a week, 363 days a year. It includes both private and communal treatment areas, all available thanks to community philanthropic gifts. Specially trained nurses administer a variety of treatments, including chemotherapy and therapies for various chronic conditions.

“Virginia National Bank was proud to support the creation of the infusion suite in the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center,” says Hunter Craig, board member of Virginia National Bank. “The resource took on a personal meaning for my family when our daughter needed infusion therapy. We’ll be forever thankful for the exceptional care we received from Dr. Mike Williams and the nursing team at UVA.”

Although Couric ultimately lost her battle with cancer, her vision lives on today. The Couric Center is a testament to a dream of a brighter future and a legacy of patients, family, and friends coming together to support future patients.

EMILY COURIC'S LEGACY

The Center was named for Emily Couric, a distinguished public servant, Virginia legislator, journalist, and author who died of pancreatic cancer in 2001. She was an outspoken advocate for other cancer patients during her lifetime, and after her death, her family worked tirelessly to move Emily’s ideas forward. Her vision is realized in the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center and the compassionate, state-of-theart care it delivers to the patients of today and tomorrow.

Framed by a painting of Emily Couric, Jody Reyes (left) meets Emily Wadlow and Jessica Wadlow (Emily’s granddaughter and daughter-in-law) for a tour of theCouric Center.
Lynn Woodson
Framed by a painting of Emily Couric, Jody Reyes (left) meets Emily Wadlow and Jessica Wadlow (Emily’s granddaughter and daughter-in-law) for a tour of theCouric Center.