Dr. Melissa Mark

(757) 668-7243
Practice
Board Certifications

American Board of Pediatrics

Hospice/Palliative Care

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

Education

Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School

Residency: Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters

Fellowship: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Bio

Dr. Mark completed fellowship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in pediatric hematology/oncology, with a focus on brain tumors in addition to a fellowship in pediatric palliative care. During her fellowship in Cincinnati, Dr. Mark also completed a masters in clinical research where she focused on evaluation of symptoms and quality of life in pediatric cancer patients.

Dr. Mark is a passionate advocate for the integration of palliative care as a standard of care in pediatric oncology and has spoken on this topic nationally. Her clinical focus is on pediatric brain tumors and she is excited to continue to grow the CHKD's pediatric brain tumor program, including expanding access to clinical trials locally.

CHKD is a return to her roots; it is where she completed her residency training after attending Eastern Virginia Medical School. She also serves as co-medical director for EdMarc Hospice for Children here in Hampton Roads.

Clinical Interests
  • Pediatric brain tumors
  • Pediatric palliative care
Research Areas
  • Pain and symptom management
  • Health-related quality of life
  • International DIPG Registry
Honors & Awards
  • Virginia Business Magazine "Top Doc" 2024
  • Coastal Living Magazine "Top Doc" 2019-2022
  • Robert Campe Goodan and Agusta S. Goodman Award in Recognition of Academic Excellence and Unselfish Concern for Others
  • Chief Fellow, Cincinnati Children's Hospital
  • Rubio/Koehl Resident Teaching Award
  • Hyundai Hope on Wheels Grant Recipient 
  • AAP CATCH Grant Recipient
Memberships
  • American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
  • Children's Oncology Group
  • American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
  • EdMarc Hospice for Children  
A Note From Dr. Mark

"CHKD is a very special place to me as a former trainee, a community member, and as a parent. The culture here is so positive and supportive. I love being able to come back to a place where I walked the halls as a medical student, and now serve as a partner alongside the people who inspired me to pursue this career in the first place." 

Publications

Gurunathan A, Boucher AA, Mark M, Prus KM, O’Brien MM, Breese EH, Mizukawa BE, Absalon MJ, Nelson AS, Jordan MB, Grimley MS, Lorsbach RB, Rotz SJ, Mathanda R, Kumar AR. Limitations of HLH-2004 Criteria in Distinguishing Malignancy-Associated Hemophagocytic  Lymphohistiocytosis. Accepted for publication in Pediatric Blood & Cancer on 7/18/18. DOI:10.1002/pbc.27400.

Thienprayoon R, San Julian Mark M, Grossoehme D. Provider-Prioritized Domains of Quality in Pediatric Home-Based Hospice and Palliative Care: A Study of the Ohio Pediatric Palliative Care and End-of-Life Network. J Palliat Med. 2018 Mar;21(3):290-296. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2017.0333. Epub 2017 Sep 22. PubMed PMID:28937333; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5972768.

Mark M. What Mommy Does. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Mar 10;35(8):912-913. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2016.69.8738. Epub 2016 Dec 5. PubMed PMID: 27918715.

Shomaker K, Dutton S, Mark M. Pain Prevalence and Treatment Patterns in a US Children's Hospital. Hosp Pediatr. 2015 Jul;5(7):363-70. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2014-0195. PubMed PMID: 26136310.

Mark MS, Roseman JT, Caperton RL, Daniero JJ, Frontini M, Snaman JM. International volunteer medicine. JAMA. 2006 Aug 9;296(6):652; author reply 652-3. PubMed PMID: 16896105.