The grant will support CHKD's cancer research team as they enroll patients in therapeutic and biologic studies.

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 24 hospitals nationwide – and the only children’s hospital in Virginia -- to receive a 2023 Infrastructure Grant from St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The grant will support CHKD’s cancer research team as they enroll patients in therapeutic and biologic studies. Clinical trials are often a child’s best hope for a cure.

Each year, more than 60 children at CHKD are diagnosed with cancer. For local families, the access to lifesaving care within a short distance from their homes and workplaces can make an incredibly tough journey a little bit easier. The funding from St. Baldrick’s helps CHKD provide the care that local patients need so their families do not have to leave the area to find treatment.

The hematology and oncology program at CHKD follows roughly 500 childhood cancer patients, 500 children with sickle cell disease, and 300 patients with bleeding disorders. Its multidisciplinary team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, nurse assistants, medical assistants, 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.

Over the past 17 years, St. Baldrick’s Foundation has committed more than $1.2 million in support of CHKD’s cancer program. The foundation is the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants.

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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 St. Baldrick's Foundation

Every 2 minutes, a child somewhere in the world is diagnosed with cancer. In the U.S., 1 in 5 will not survive. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants, is on a mission to Conquer Kids’ Cancer by supporting the most promising research to find cures and better treatments for all childhood cancers. When you give to St. Baldrick’s, you don’t just give to one hospital – you support virtually every institution with the expertise to treat kids with cancer across the U.S. St. Baldrick’s ensures that children fighting cancer now — and those diagnosed in the future — will have access to the most cutting-edge treatment, by supporting every stage of research, from new ideas in the lab to the training of the next generation of researchers, to lifesaving clinical trials. Visit StBaldricks.org and help #ConquerKidsCancer.

NORFOLK, Va. -- Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters opened an outpatient pharmacy on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, to fill prescriptions and offer pharmacy services for children and adults in the community.

The CHKD Outpatient Pharmacy, located on the first floor of CHKD’s main hospital at 601 Children’s Lane in Norfolk, provides specialty services such as pharmaceutical compounding, which allows the pharmacist to customize medications based on a doctor’s prescription to meet a patient’s needs. Pharmacists at the CHKD Outpatient Pharmacy can improve the taste of medications with kid-friendly flavoring, formulate medications that are free of allergens and dyes, and create unique dosage forms for specific therapies.

CHKD employees and families celebrated the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pharmacy staff members then quickly went to work, filling patient prescriptions.

“Having a pharmacy is vital to our patients and our employees,” said Dr. Christopher Foley, CHKD’s chief clinical operations officer. “We’re excited to have it open.”

The CHKD Outpatient Pharmacy will be especially helpful for families with children who were treated in the emergency department or are ready to be discharged from the hospital. Families can stop by the pharmacy to have prescriptions filled before taking their child home.

The pharmacy also offers:

• Consultation with prescribing physicians to adjust dosages or formulations to address specific needs.
• Assistance with high-cost or difficult-to-obtain medications.
• Routine and seasonal vaccines as well as special vaccines recommended for travel.
• A year-round drug take-back program for people to safely dispose of unused or expired prescriptions.

The CHKD Outpatient Pharmacy is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Pharmacy guests should use the visitor parking garage across from the front entrance to the hospital. Short-term parking with a 15-minute limit may be available in front of the hospital. For more information, visit CHKD.org/Pharmacy or call (757) 668-6337.

PIctured: Amy Sampson, CHKD President and CEO; Dr. Christopher Foley, CHKD Chief Clinical Operations Officer; Nikolaus Lawson, CHKD Director of Pharmacy; and Allison Silva, CHKD Vice President, Ancillary Services.  

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.

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

With the vision of creating healthier, more equitable neighborhoods, Rite Aid Healthy Futures has provided more than $4.5 million in grant funding to leading children’s hospitals across the country, giving them additional resources to address hunger and food insecurity through innovative, community-rooted initiatives. A total of 42 hospitals serving Rite Aid’s 17-state footprint received grants ranging from $25,000 to $300,000 through Healthy Futures’ Connecting Communities signature initiative.

Launched in 2021, the Connecting Communities program finds innovative ways to link major institutions and their communities to nurture and promote health equity for children, especially those who may already be receiving medical care or living with a serious illness such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, among others.

“Healthy communities create healthier and more resilient children, and the reality is hunger and food insecurity prevent far too many children, families, and communities from reaching their full and inherent potential,” said Matt DeCamara, executive director of Rite Aid Healthy Futures. “We have a call to action – to say ‘enough is enough’ when we see so many of our neighbors and neighborhoods facing hunger every day. As a society, we must affect change and strive for more enduring solutions. By partnering with these incredible hospitals across the country, we hope to reach kids and families where the need is greatest and treat healthy food as life-changing medicine.”

At CHKD, the grant will be used for a food program based at General Academic Pediatrics in CHKD’s new Children’s Pavilion that identifies which patients and families would benefit from a pantry bag of shelf-stable food as well as assistance with referrals for food and other needs. In 2021, CHKD received a $45,000 grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures to pilot this program.

“This generous grant will help CHKD provide strong support services that children and families need to help stay healthy,” said Kate Ryan, philanthropy officer at CHKD. “We are extremely grateful to Rite Aid Healthy Futures for recognizing this need and partnering with us to create healthier futures for our patients.”

About Rite Aid Healthy Futures

Rite Aid Healthy Futures, formerly known as The Rite Aid Foundation, 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.

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 2022, CHKD opened the 60-bed, 14-story Children’s Pavilion on its campus to address the mental health crisis facing our youth. Learn more at CHKD.org.

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters has been reverified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center, the highest level of certification for pediatric hospital surgical programs.

As a Level 1 center, CHKD offers multiple medical and surgical specialties with procedures for major congenital anomalies and complex diseases. This national level of excellence encourages continuous quality improvement in pediatric surgery and identifies centers that provide the most advanced surgical care to children. 

Level 1 Children’s Surgery Centers are verified every three years with an extensive site visit. In November 2022, CHKD hosted a panel of site reviewers from the American College of Surgeons. This panel consisted of an experienced surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurse from other prominent children’s hospitals. 

The main campus in Norfolk and the surgery centers in Virginia Beach and Newport News were evaluated to ensure the comprehensive standards set by the children's surgery verification program are met. These standards include continuous efforts to improve surgical quality and protocols for care, complication prevention, and rigorous criteria for staffing, training, and facility features. 

CHKD provides exceptional surgical care through a multidisciplinary approach which includes medical and surgical specialties, quality, safety, and clinical integration as well as administrative leaders. For example, the NICU and PICU work closely with a dedicated surgical liaison bolstering those units’ direct access to surgical experts. 

CHKD also maintains a robust Surgical Performance Improvement Committee that works continuously to ensure high-quality and safe surgical care. Each committee representative is committed to constantly assessing their performance and providing optimal surgical care.

CHKD and community surgeons perform almost 13,000 procedures -- ranging from minor outpatient operations to complex reconstructive surgeries -- in CHKD's unique, child-friendly facilities every year.

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The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical education and practice and to improve the quality of care for surgical patients. Its achievements have placed it at the forefront of American surgery and have made the College an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 80,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

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 2022, CHKD opened the 60-bed, 14-story Children’s Pavilion on its campus to address the mental health crisis facing our youth. Learn more at CHKD.org.

NORFOLK, Va. – Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters is proud to announce the opening of the Panda Cares® Center of Hope, made possible by Panda Express® guests and associates, whose generosity helps change kids’ health, and change the future. 

Panda Express® provided a generous $1.5 million commitment for healing activities and a 12^th floor family lounge in the 14-story Children’s Pavilion, a $224 million project designed to provide mental health services for children. 

The Panda Cares® Center of Hope inspires hope and promotes healing by providing specially curated programs that address each child’s entire well-being. The donation supports therapeutic play, art therapy, meditation, counseling services, and a family lounge in the pavilion, which opened to inpatient psychiatric care in October. The donation aligns with Panda’s “Four Pillars” philosophy to address each child’s well-being, including their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs, and by giving children the courage and strength to thrive.

“Panda Cares® has been a generous supporter of CHKD, and this gift will add to their legacy in supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said CHKD President and CEO Jim Dahling. “The space and activities this donation supports in Children’s Pavilion will provide healing and comfort to our patients and their families.” 

The  mental health  facility at 401 Gresham Drive brings together aspects of the best pediatric psychiatric facilities in the country, including private inpatient rooms, a rooftop recreation area where hospitalized children can get exercise and fresh air, and therapeutic rooms for art and music therapy.

“We are proud to partner with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to bring the vision of the Panda Cares® Center of Hope to life and are humbled to be able to be part of the healing journey for the families and kids at these hospitals,” said Dr. Peggy Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group. “Children are our future, and we hope that through this partnership and curriculum designed to give children the strength to thrive, we will bring smiles and hope to communities nationwide.” 

The numerous Panda Cares® Centers of Hope across the country are made possible by donations from Panda Express® guests and associates. Funds raised in-store and online at Panda Express go towards each store’s local community. Following a multimillion-dollar commitment to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to fund Panda Cares® Centers of Hope, Panda and CMN Hospitals have debuted Center of Hope locations at several hospitals in the U.S. from California and Texas to Hawaii and Washington D.C. 

Since 2007, Panda Express and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have partnered together to change kids’ health and change the future. To date, Panda has raised more than $128 million for numerous CMN Hospitals, including CHKD. Panda Express guests and their associates in Hampton Roads have raised more than $500,000 for CHKD since 2007. 

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About CHKD

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 a 60-bed, 14-story hospital and outpatient center on its campus to address the mental health crisis facing our youth. The new tower on CHKD’s campus in Norfolk opened to outpatient services in April 2022, and the first inpatient psychiatric beds opened in October 2022. Learn more at CHKD.org.

About Panda Express®

On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda Express, an American Chinese Trailblazer, is the largest Asian dining concept in the U.S. Family-owned and operated since 1983 by co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng, Panda Express is best known for creating a wide variety of industry-first recipes, including its best seller the Original Orange Chicken® and award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp, which have defined the category of authentic American Chinese cuisine. Each dish at Panda Express, including the Wok Smart® selections, is thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients and inspired by bold Chinese flavors and culinary principles. The restaurant brand has more than 2,400 locations throughout the U.S. and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to more than ten international countries. Powered by this global family of associates, Panda Cares, the organization’s philanthropic arm, has raised more than $216 million and countless volunteer hours in bettering the health and education for over 12 million youths as well as supporting communities in need since 1999. For more information, visit pandaexpress.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. 

About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals that support the health of 10 million kids each year across the U.S. and Canada. Donations go to local hospitals to fund critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services, along with innovative research, vital pediatric medical equipment, child life services that put kids’ and families’ minds at ease during difficult hospital stays and financial assistance for families who could not otherwise afford these health services. When we improve the health of all children and allow them the opportunity to reach their full potential, we also improve our communities for years to come. Together, we can change kids’ health. Together, we can change the future. To learn about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and your local children’s hospital, visit cmnhospitals.org.

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.