CHKD Receives $50,000 Grant from St. Baldrick's Foundation

NORFOLK, Va. -- Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters will receive a $50,000 grant from St. Baldrick’s Foundation to support the hospital’s pediatric cancer research efforts.

CHKD is one of 26 hospitals and healthcare institutions nationwide – and the only children’s hospital in Virginia -- to receive a 2024 Infrastructure Grant from St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The grant will support CHKD’s cancer research team as they enroll patients in clinical trials that will help determine the most effective treatments for cancers that affect children.

Each year, CHKD’s pediatric oncologists diagnose more than 70 children with cancer. Access to lifesaving care close to home can make undergoing treatment a little easier for local families. The funding from St. Baldrick’s helps CHKD provide the care that patients need without having to leave the area.

“Cancer is relentless, and it doesn’t discriminate,” said Dr. Eric Lowe, pediatric oncologist and CHKD’s chief clinical academic officer. “But it’s through the power of research and care that we find hope. This grant will help continue our efforts to advance our understanding of the disease and how to best treat it.”

The hematology and oncology program at CHKD follows more than 500 children who have been diagnosed with cancer, 500 children with sickle cell disease, and 300 patients with bleeding disorders. Its multidisciplinary team includes physicians, nurses, social workers, child life specialists, pharmacists, case managers, education consultants, a dietician, and a chaplain.

The program also has clinical research nurses and research associates who work closely with the medical team to offer clinical research trials to childhood cancer patients.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants and has generously supported CHKD’s cancer program for nearly 20 years.

 

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CHKD is the only freestanding, full-service, children’s hospital in Virginia and serves the medical and surgical needs of children throughout greater Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina. The not-for-profit  CHKD Health System operates primary care pediatric practices, surgical practices, multi-service health centers, urgent care centers, and satellite offices throughout its service region. In 2022, CHKD opened the 14-story  Children’s Pavilion on its campus to address the  mental health crisis facing our youth. 

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CHKD, Barrys Honored with 2024 Darden Award for Regional Leadership

NORFOLK, VA (CHKD) - On November 20, the CIVIC Leadership Institute presented the 2024 Corporate Darden Award to Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters. The organization also honored community philanthropists Richard and Carolyn Barry with the Individual Darden Award. Both awards recognize decades of leadership in improving the quality of life in Hampton Roads.

More than 500 members of our regional business community gathered at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott for the award ceremony. In accepting the award for CHKD, president and CEO Amy Sampson credited the “4,000 brilliant and talented members of Team CHKD making a difference every day,” as well as “our visionary King’s Daughters driven to improve the health of our children.” She also thanked our board of directors and our community of philanthropists whose “generosity make sure that CHKD is here for every child today, and, just as importantly, tomorrow.”

The Barrys were honored for their significant contributions to many regional causes, but especially to the arts and Old Dominion University, twin passions that culminated in the Barry Art Museum, which is home to the Barry’s collection of modern glass and antique dolls.

“We are thrilled and humbled to be included among the recipients of the Darden Award,” said Sampson. “The CIVIC Leadership Institute has done so much to elevate our region, and it is an incredible honor to be recognized alongside the inspirational Dick and Carolyn Barry, who, among so many other things, have been loyal supporters of CHKD for many, many years.”

Leadership and key staff from CHKD gather for a group photo at the Darden Award ceremony at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott on November 20, 2024. 

Pictured from L to R: Dr. Robert Obermeyer, Vice President, Chief of Surgery; Dr. Christopher Foley, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Operations Officer; Kristi McGowin, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services; Donald Barnes, Vice President of Human Resources, Chief People Officer; Kimberly Day, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer; Dennis Lee, Chief Digital Information Officer; Amy Sampson, CHKD President and CEO; and Bryant Thomas, Vice President of Advancement. 

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CHKD is the only freestanding, full-service, children’s hospital in Virginia and serves the medical and surgical needs of children throughout greater Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina. The not-for-profit  CHKD Health System operates primary care pediatric practices, surgical practices, multi-service health centers, urgent care centers, and satellite offices throughout its service region. In 2022, CHKD opened the 14-story  Children’s Pavilion on its campus to address the  mental health crisis facing our youth. 

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Costco Raises More than $115,000 for CHKD During its Annual Campaign

NORFOLK, Va. – Costco stores in Norfolk and Newport News raised more than $115,000 for CHKD during its annual fundraising campaign this year, a record-breaking total for the membership club. A long-time CHKD supporter, Costco has donated more than $1.1 million to the health system since 1995 thanks to contributions from its customers, employees, and vendors American Family Insurance, Hershey, and General Mills.

“Every year, Costco employees go above and beyond to help support CHKD and our mission to provide health, healing and hope to all children,” said Kate Ryan, CHKD philanthropy officer. “We are incredibly grateful for their unwavering support to make sure children in our region have access to expert medical care close to their homes.”

Costco holds a fundraising campaign each year during the month of May. In addition to employees asking members at the register to help support CHKD, Costco also matches a portion of the funds raised. Every October, associates have the opportunity to support CHKD through Costco’s Workplace Giving Campaign.

Companywide, Costco has raised more than $4.5 million for Children’s Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization that raises money for 170 children’s hospitals, which includes CHKD. All CMN donations benefit local member hospitals to fund critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services, innovative research, vital pediatric medical equipment, and child life services, which help put kids’ and families’ minds at ease during difficult hospital stays.

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CHKD is the only freestanding, full-service children’s hospital in Virginia and serves the medical and surgical needs of children throughout greater Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina. The not-for-profit CHKD Health System operates primary care pediatric practices, surgical practices, multi-service health centers, urgent care centers and satellite offices throughout its service region. 

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Eric Lowe, MD, Named Chief Clinical Academic Officer at CHKD, Chair of Pediatrics at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS at Old Dominion University

NORFOLK, Va. – It is with great pleasure that Alfred Abuhamad, MD, Executive Vice President of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University and Dean of Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Amy Sampson, President and CEO, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters Health System, announce the appointment of Eric Lowe, MD to serve as Chair of Pediatrics at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS at Old Dominion University, effective September 1, 2024. Dr. Lowe’s role will also expand at CHKD, where he has been named Chief Clinical Academic Officer, overseeing clinical academic and research activities throughout CHKD Health System.

Dr. Lowe follows C.W. Gowen, MD, who retired on June 30 following a 33-year medical career as a CHKD neonatologist and 10 years as Chair of Pediatrics at EVMS and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at CHKD.

Dr. Lowe, who will continue to care for patients in addition to his new responsibilities, has devoted his career to treating children with cancer and advancing research in the field of pediatric oncology. He has served as Medical Director of Pediatric Oncology and Division Director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at CHKD, where he provides the latest cancer treatments for children in the region. He has also served as Vice President of Children’s Specialty Group and on a range of hospital committees.

Dr. Lowe is the principal investigator for CHKD in the Children’s Oncology Group, a global organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. He is also the lead researcher of an international clinical trial for children with anaplastic large cell lymphoma and is researching ways to battle other childhood cancers.

He joined EVMS and CHKD in 2004 after medical school at Emory University School of Medicine, completing a pediatrics residency at the University of Texas, and completing a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He also holds a BS in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and an MS in epidemiology from the University of Tennessee.

Throughout his time at EVMS/CHKD, Dr. Lowe has been an active academician. In addition to lectures, he is an attending physician for pediatrics residents during hematology/oncology rotations; he supervises fourth-year medical students during the hematology/oncology elective, and precepts students and residents. He has mentored residents since 2007; many have gone on to careers in pediatric hematology/oncology.

Dr. Lowe is widely published and has given invited presentations globally. He is Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Pediatric Oncology and is a veteran reviewer for multiple other journals. He is a question writer for the pediatric hematology/oncology boards.

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CHKD is the only freestanding, full-service, children’s hospital in Virginia and serves the medical and surgical needs of children throughout greater Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina. The not-for-profit CHKD Health System operates primary care pediatric practices, surgical practices, multi-service health centers, urgent care centers, and satellite offices throughout its service region. In 2022, CHKD opened the 14-story Children’s Pavilion on its campus to address the mental health crisis facing our youth. 

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Harris Teeter Raises Over $131,000 for CHKD

Hampton Roads, Va. – Harris Teeter announced today a donation of more than $131,000 to CHKD following the success of the company’s annual Round Up campaign, which benefits CHKD.

More than 25 stores throughout Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks area participated in the campaign, which invited customers to round up their transactions to the nearest whole dollar at checkout. All funds raised at the participating stores were donated to CHKD, which totaled more than $131,000. The Lightfoot Marketplace Harris Teeter on Centerville Road in Williamsburg, Va. was the top fundraising store and raised more than $22,000.

“CHKD relies on the generosity of our community to ensure we can provide health, healing and hope for all children,” said Kate Ryan, philanthropy officer at CHKD. “We are grateful to Harris Teeter for their partnership and the many ways their associates and shoppers support CHKD each year.”

Harris Teeter has a longstanding tradition of giving to CHKD. Since 2011, Harris Teeter has donated more than $875,600 to CHKD through event sponsorships and yearly Round Up campaigns. Additionally, Harris Teeter hosts an annual company-wide giving campaign in which associates can choose to donate to one of Harris Teeter’s valued non-profit partners, including CHKD.

“Each year, we are overwhelmed by the generosity of our valued associates and loyal customers who continue to support CHKD,” said Paige Hamer, corporate affairs manager for Harris Teeter. “Harris Teeter is proud to continue its partnership with CHKD and support healthy lives for all children.”

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About Harris Teeter

For more than 60 years, Harris Teeter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kroger, has enriched lives – one meal, one family, one associate and one community at a time. Headquartered in Matthews, N.C., Harris Teeter employs 36,000 valued associates across more than 250 stores and 70 fuel centers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida, and the District of Columbia.

 

About CHKD

CHKD is the only freestanding, full-service, children’s hospital in Virginia and serves the medical and surgical needs of children throughout greater Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina. The not-for-profit CHKD Health System operates primary care pediatric practices, surgical practices, multi-service health centers, urgent care centers, and satellite offices throughout its service region. In 2022, CHKD opened the 14-story Children’s Pavilion on its campus to address the mental health crisis facing our youth.

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CHKD Receives Grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures to Improve Food Access for Patient Families

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – CHKD has received a $50,000 Connecting Communities grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures to provide patient families with healthy, shelf-stable food and assistance with referrals for other needs.

Working in collaboration with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, CHKD will use the grant for a family nutrition program based at its General Academic Pediatrics practice, located in Norfolk.

The grant comes as part of Rite Aid Healthy Futures’ Connecting Communities program, which directs funding to anchor institutions, such as hospitals, that nurture and promote health equity for children, especially those who may already be receiving medical care or living with a serious illness.

“Children’s hospitals are on the front lines seeing and treating the profound effects of hunger, food apartheid and systemic racism in communities across our nation every day,” said Matt DeCamara, executive director of Rite Aid Healthy Futures. “Treating food as medicine and engaging communities in programs that stabilize food access, reduce disease prevalence and create local sovereignty builds healthier and more resilient children, families and neighborhoods. It is imperative to act with purpose and urgency to address the food insecurity crisis. We are proud to partner with so many leading health care systems to ensure pathways to many healthier tomorrows.”

CHKD is one of 40 hospitals that is receiving funding to support work in children’s health and wellness. Grants are made possible by the generosity of customers who round up their purchase through Rite Aid’s KidCents program.

“Food insecurity is a significant issue that can have a negative effect on the overall wellbeing of our patients and families,” said Kate Ryan, philanthropy officer at CHKD. “We are excited to partner with Rite Aid Healthy Futures and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to further the reach of our family nutrition program.”

 

About CHKD

CHKD is the only freestanding, full-service, children’s hospital in Virginia and serves the medical and surgical needs of children throughout greater Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina. The not-for-profit CHKD Health System operates primary care pediatric practices, surgical practices, multi-service health centers, and urgent care centers throughout its service region. In 2022, CHKD opened the 14-story Children’s Pavilion on its campus to address the mental health crisis facing our youth. 

 

About Rite Aid Healthy Futures

Rite Aid Healthy Futures is a public charity dedicated to driving change in communities, with an emphasis on underserved neighborhoods, focusing on the areas of health, wellness, race and equity. Together with our donors, Rite Aid associates, community partners and neighbors, we help lift up local neighborhoods by donating more than $15 million a year to causes, initiatives and organizations that make a difference in people’s lives. Healthy Futures is proud to be affiliated with Rite Aid, which provides an array of whole-being health products and services for the entire family through over 2,000 retail pharmacy locations across 17 states. Visit www.RiteAidHealthyFutures.org to learn more.

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CHKD Health System President and CEO James Dahling Announces Retirement

Health System Board of Directors Appoints Senior Vice President, Chief Engagement and Innovation Officer Amy Sampson Next President and CEO

Dr. Christopher Foley, Vice President, Chief of Medicine, Promoted to Chief Clinical Operations Officer

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – Akhil Jain, Chair of CHKD Health System’s Board of Directors, announced today that Jim Dahling, the organization’s President and CEO, will retire in 2023 after almost 30 years of service to the pediatric health system. The Board selected Amy Sampson, CHKD’s Senior Vice President, Chief Engagement and Innovation Officer, to succeed him. As part of a new structure moving forward, Dr. Christopher Foley, Vice President, Chief of Medicine, will assume the role of Chief Clinical Operations Officer, a newly created position that will replace the Chief Operating Officer. Dahling, Sampson, and Foley will collaborate over the next several months to ensure a smooth transition.

“The Board extends immense gratitude to Jim for his visionary leadership,” says Jain. “His tenure marked an era of critical expansion for the Health System, improving access to pediatric services and aligning CHKD with major shifts in the delivery of healthcare.”

Dahling came to Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) in 1994 as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He assumed leadership of the Health System in 2003 and oversaw expansion of outpatient services to multi-service health and surgery centers throughout the region. He bolstered the Health System’s primary care group, its surgical group, and its oncology, surgery, cardiac, neonatology, and trauma programs, as well as quality and safety initiatives, securing CHKD’s reputation as an internationally ranked pediatric hospital.

“It has been a privilege to lead this organization,” says Dahling. “CHKD is a remarkable family of extraordinary clinicians, surrounded by exceptional team members and bolstered by our King’s Daughters and volunteers, all of whom are steadfast in their dedication to doing what is best and right for children. I am in awe of their compassion, their commitment to excellence, and their resilience, and I am confident they will continue to grow and flourish with Amy’s insightful and inspirational leadership, and Chris’ knowledge and experience of clinical operations.”

Sampson joined CHKD in 1990 and is a trusted member of CHKD’s senior leadership team. “Amy is a proven, innovative leader who brings a deep understanding and respect for CHKD’s history, mission, and role in the community. She will help us continue to navigate through the challenges facing our team, healthcare overall, and most especially our children. I am confident she will steer us to stay true to our mission of health, healing, and hope for all children,” says Jain. “She was the Board’s unanimous choice to succeed Jim Dahling as CEO and President.”

Sampson has been instrumental in the development of CHKD’s transformational mental health initiative to address the region’s dire need to tackle the mental health crisis facing our youth. She spearheaded the efforts to secure government approval and financial backing for CHKD’s new pediatric inpatient psychiatric facility, Children’s Pavilion, which opened to patients in October, and she has helped guide every aspect of CHKD’s mental health program development. She has also overseen strategic planning, government relations, marketing and communications, philanthropy services, community outreach, experience services, the donor milk bank, the call center, and volunteer services during her career at CHKD.

Dr. Foley came to CHKD in 1996 as a pediatric intensive care specialist. He has also served as chief of the division of pediatric critical care and as medical director of CHKD’s pediatric intensive care unit, pharmacy, and critical care transport. He became Chief Medical Officer in 2015.

“I am deeply honored to continue to serve CHKD and the children and families of our region in this new role,” says Sampson. “I believe with all my heart in our people, our mission, our community, and above all, in identifying and addressing the healthcare needs of our children as they evolve in the coming years. I am grateful to have Chris’ experienced clinical leadership on our senior team, and look forward to working with him and others to deliver on our promises and to honor the trust that parents place in us when their precious children are in our care.”

             CHKD Health System President and CEO James Dahling; Incoming President and CEO Amy Sampson; Incoming Chief Clinical Operations Officer Christopher Foley

 

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CHKD is the only freestanding children’s hospital in Virginia and serves the medical and surgical needs of children throughout greater Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina. The not-for-profit CHKD Health System operates primary care pediatric practices, surgical practices, multi-service health centers, urgent care centers, and satellite offices throughout its service region. In 2019, CHKD broke ground on Children's Pavilion, a 60-bed, 14-story hospital and outpatient center on its campus to address the mental health crisis facing our youth. Children's Pavilion opened to outpatient services in April 2022, and the first inpatient psychiatric beds opened in October 2022.  

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