Since the Norfolk City Union of The King’s Daughters established the hospital in 1961, CHKD has undergone two major renovations and expansions and is now at the heart of a comprehensive system of caring dedicated exclusively to children. And we will always provide care for every child who needs it, regardless of the family's ability to pay.
When a Child Is Hospitalized
Children are admitted for serious illnesses as well as complex conditions and injuries.
CHKD provides the highest designation of neonatal intensive care in our region, as well as specialty units for pediatric intensive care, rehabilitation, cancer treatment, medical and surgical care, and transitional care.
Patients can visit our fully equipped playrooms, keep up with schooling in our computer-equipped classrooms and participate in fun activities at the bedside, like visits from our Buddy Brigade therapy dogs.
When It’s An Emergency
Our Emergency Center serves more than 47,000 children each year. The staff of pediatric emergency specialists responds quickly to serious illnesses and injuries with the compassion, caring and communication that families need during these difficult times. And if it’s not a true emergency, our patients are put on a fast-track option much like in an urgent care center.
Surgery Centers Just for Kids
Our Surgery Centers – at the main hospital in Norfolk, our Oyster Point facility in Newport News and our Princess Anne facility in Virginia Beach – offer state-of-the-art surgery for both complex and routine procedures.
Above all, our surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses know that children are not small adults. They understand how to calm fears, ease pain and quickly return children to the business of being kids.
With many of our surgeries conducted on an outpatient basis, we focus on convenience yet maintain our child-centered approach.
Our waiting areas are filled with video games and toys. We offer tours to ease anxieties before surgery. And kids get to choose their “flavor” of anesthesia as well as mode of transportation to the operating room – in a wagon, on a bike or in the arms of our caring staff.
Comprehensive and Convenient Outpatient Services
CHKD offers a wide range of outpatient treatment and evaluative services in convenient locations throughout the region.
From every community within greater Hampton Roads, CHKD Health Centers and satellite locations offer easy access to primary care and specialty services for asthma and allergies, diabetes, heart conditions and many more chronic diseases. Many sites feature state-of-the art radiology and laboratory testing as well as a full complement of rehabilitative therapies, including a unique sports medicine program designed to get young athletes back in the game.
CHKD Health System’s Pediatricians and Surgeons
The CHKD family includes primary care and surgical practices with offices throughout the region.
Our primary care practices, with more than 90 board-certified pediatricians and nurse practitioners, can be found throughout southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Most locations offer evening and weekend hours as well as quick access for sick children. And the practices provide after-hours guidance with many using CHKD’s pediatric nurses to answer urgent questions.
Our surgery practices offer an array of pediatric expertise in neurosurgery,orthopedics and sports medicine, general pediatric surgery, plastic and cardiothoracic surgeries and urology. CHKD’s board-certified surgeons have pioneered new procedures and learned innovative techniques to bring the best surgical care to children of all ages. They operate at CHKD surgery centers in Norfolk, Newport News and Virginia Beach and see patients for evaluation and follow-up care at our health centers throughout the region.
Dedicated to Education and Research
Children’s Hospital is home to Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Pediatric Residency Training Program and to dozens of medical specialists who comprise its pediatric faculty.
CHKD supports pediatric research and clinical trials to improve the quality of care and clinical outcomes for our patients. And the hospital offers a variety of educational programs and support groups to help parents tackle issues ranging from asthma management to discipline to childhood obesity.
Identifying Abuse and Neglect
CHKD’s Child Abuse Program, headquartered a few blocks from the hospital, provides a coordinated response to the needs of children who have been abused or neglected. This unique and highly respected program brings together law enforcement, social services, court representatives and CHKD’s medical and psychosocial experts to help victims through the stages of assessment, prosecution and healing.
Community Support
Philanthropy is the lifeblood of CHKD, providing essential services, programs, equipment and technology that might otherwise not be available. Throughout the years, CHKD has relied upon this support from a generous community that is strongly committed to the health of its children. The King’s Daughters, founders of CHKD, lead the way among hundreds of friends, providing volunteerism, advocacy and fund raising, including our ever-popular thrift stores in every corner of the region.
