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.  

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters is experiencing the same surge in respiratory illnesses that has been sweeping the nation, with this week bringing our highest level of patients since COVID-19 pandemic peaks.

Our pediatric offices, urgent care centers, emergency department and hospital are all seeing much higher than normal volumes of children with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other viruses, so please be patient as waits will be longer. 

We're unable to make our physicians and other infectious disease experts available for media interviews at this time because of the clinical demand. However, this video of Dr. Christopher Foley, Chief Medical Officer at CHKD, explains what parents and caregivers need to know about these viruses, and how to monitor children's symptoms.

Most children with respiratory viruses can be treated at home with supportive care such as fluids, acetaminophen, and rest. 

If a child is lethargic, coughing, feverish, dehydrated, and doesn’t seem themselves, call your pediatrician. If they have labored or shallow or rapid breathing, or turn blue or gray around the lips, tongue or skin, call 911 or go to the emergency room. If a child is unresponsive, call 911.

Check this When to Seek Treatment link for more tips on when to seek medical care. Also, this Right Care Right Time CHKD link gives guidance on which level of care is needed for your child.

In emergency departments and urgent cares, the sickest children are seen first. That means that a child who comes in after you may be seen before your child. Please be patient with caregivers and administrative staff wherever you’re going for care. Hospitals and doctors' offices are experiencing staffing shortages, and are doing their best to care for all children during this surge of respiratory illnesses. 

This increase in respiratory illnesses is hitting earlier in the cold and flu season than usual. Children are gathered in school and other places, and pandemic masking requirements have been relaxed throughout the community. Because of pandemic precautions over the last few years, some children had not been exposed to some of these viruses, so they are more susceptible to these seasonal illnesses. 

Please consider flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and COVID-19 boosters for all eligible children and family members, and stay home if you, your child, or family member is sick. Measures like frequent handwashing and masking also can help reduce the spread of viral illnesses.

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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 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 beds opened in October 2022. Learn more at CHKD.org.

NORFOLK, Va. – Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters has received a $2.5 million donation from Norfolk Southern Corporation for Children’s Pavilion, which opened its doors to inpatient mental health care last month.

The company’s generous support is recognized in the facility’s new education center, where CHKD has a conference center to conduct professional training, educational opportunities, and research centered on improving children’s mental health. The education center is on the second floor of the $224 million facility, which now provides both inpatient mental health care and a robust outpatient care program.

“Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters plays a vital role across the Commonwealth, directly caring for our youngest citizens,” said Alan Shaw, President and CEO of Norfolk Southern. “Hampton Roads is home to many of our colleagues, and together we are committed to supporting the hospital to provide mental health services for children in need.”

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

“Norfolk Southern has been a long-time supporter of CHKD, and this gift is a testament to the deep roots of the company in the Hampton Roads region and the commonwealth of Virginia,” said CHKD President and CEO Jim Dahling. “This gift will be a legacy in supporting the most vulnerable members of our community, and contribute to a better understanding of improving mental health in children across the country.”

The 14-story facility is expected to ease a statewide shortage of psychiatric beds for children, and will also provide a “partial hospitalization” program that provides care to children who will spend most of the day at the hospital, but still reside at home.  

The building is opening at a time when 20 percent of the nation’s children have a mental health condition. The pandemic also heightened anxiety in children experiencing isolation, along with insecurity created by deaths and job losses within their families.

Children’s Pavilion opened to outpatient mental health care, a primary pediatric practice, sports medicine, and laboratory and radiology services in April. The first 12 inpatient psychiatric beds opened Oct. 11, with the remaining 48 beds to open in phases through mid-2023. The goal is to provide an environment that integrates access to mental health services into other routine services in order to de-stigmatize the identification and treatment of psychiatric conditions within the pediatric population.

Once fully operational, Children’s Pavilion will employ 400 doctors, nurses, therapists, and other mental health professionals who will treat children across the state and beyond. In a far-reaching aspect of the initiative, a fellowship training program for child and adolescent psychiatrists also is being developed to train mental health providers. This critical program will improve access to care in Hampton Roads and also help address the extreme shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists across the country.

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About Norfolk Southern
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting  www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

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, with the first inpatient beds opening in October 2022. Learn more at CHKD.org.

NORFOLK, Va. – Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) opened the highly anticipated inpatient psychiatric service at its new 14-story Children’s Pavilion today. The first 12 beds are available now, and an additional 48 inpatient beds or rooms will open in a phased approach through mid-2023.

“In December 2021, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called the mental health crisis facing our youth an urgent public health issue,” said Dr. Carl Petersen, Chief of Mental Health Services at CHKD. “Mental health challenges in children and adolescents are real and widespread but, most importantly, they are treatable and often preventable.”

Children’s Pavilion integrates access to mental health services into other routine services to de-stigmatize mental health treatment. The facility will be the hub of a coordinated continuum of mental health services, including prevention programs, research and training, acute inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, day programs, and follow-up care.

It will be one of a few acute pediatric psychiatric facilities in the country offering a specialized neurodevelopmental unit to care for children with autism or other developmental challenges, along with acute and chronic psychiatric illnesses, like bipolar disorder and depression. Unlike most other children’s hospitals across the U.S., Children’s Pavilion will also treat children who have both a co-existing medical and psychiatric conditions.

When fully operational, the Children’s Pavilion will admit about 2,500 children for inpatient care every year, provide 48,000 outpatient therapy appointments annually, and add 400 new jobs to the Hampton Roads area.  

CHKD launched a mental health initiative in 2018 to answer the growing community concern about a lack of pediatric mental health services in Hampton Roads and across Virginia. Since then, CHKD has brought together esteemed clinicians, researchers, and academicians from across the country to change the way young people receive mental health care.

Since 2018, the mental health team at CHKD has grown from one full-time child and adolescent psychiatrist, who was part of a 30-member team, to its current 19 psychiatrists on a team of more than 200. That number is expected to double to 400 by the time all inpatient beds are open next year.

Outpatient services began in Children’s Pavilion in April 2022, and CHKD celebrated the forthcoming opening of inpatient psychiatric care at Children’s Pavilion with an official dedication ceremony on September 30.

Thanks to the generous community response to the CHKD Lighting the Way fundraising campaign, construction of Children’s Pavilion began in September 2019. The community has raised $68 million toward this project through the Lighting the Way campaign, exceeding a preliminary goal which has now been elevated to $75 million to meet the increased needs for pediatric mental health care that arose during the pandemic. To help CHKD fulfill the needs of the community, visit this Lighting the Way link.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF THE KING’S DAUGHTERS:

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 to address the mental health crisis facing our youth. The new tower opened for inpatient care in October 2022 and for outpatient care in April 2022. Learn more at CHKD.org.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – CHKD Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus Donald Nuss, who developed a procedure at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters to correct chest deformities that is used across the globe, was honored Saturday with the highest surgery award given by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Nuss received the 2022 William E. Ladd Medal at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition in Anaheim, California. The Ladd Medal recognizes pediatric surgeons who have made significant contributions to the field and to the care of children.

In 1987, Dr. Nuss developed a minimally invasive technique to correct pectus excavatum, the most common chest wall deformity in children. Also known as funnel chest, the chest sinks in toward the spine, forming a depression. Patients often suffer heart and lung compression, difficulty exercising, and poor body image. 

Previously, children had to endure a highly invasive surgery that involved a large incision and fractures of the sternum and ribs. While performing this surgery, he was struck by an idea: Why break the cartilages when they are so flexible? 

He instead developed a procedure in which a curved metal bar is inserted through small incisions on either side of the chest and guided under the flexible ribs and sternum to press them into normal shape over time, just as braces correct crooked teeth. The bar remains in place two to three years until the correction is permanent.

Dr. Nuss, who is a professor emeritus of surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School, gathered data from the first decade of using the procedure, which showed excellent results, and presented it to the American Pediatric Surgical Association in 1997. The operation quickly gained favor with pediatric surgeons, making "The Nuss Procedure," a standard practice across the globe. At least 100,000 patients have been treated with the procedure during the last 25 years.

Dr. Nuss has been a guest lecturer and visiting professor at many major medical centers in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and has been an invited guest speaker at numerous national and international surgical congresses.

Dr. Nuss was born in the Republic of South Africa and graduated with a medical degree from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, in 1963. He completed residency in general surgery at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, in 1971, and a fellowship in pediatric surgery at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town in 1973. 

He came to Norfolk, Virginia, in 1977, where he began performing surgery at CHKD. He served on the Medical Executive Committee of CHKD for 25 years and as Surgeon-in-Chief and Vice President for Surgical Affairs for 20 years. 

Dr. Nuss and his wife, Tessa, lived in Norfolk for more than 40 years but recently moved to Boise, Idaho, to be near family. 

CHKD Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus Dr. Donald Nuss

CHKD Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus Dr. Donald Nuss performing surgery at CHKD.

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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 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, with inpatient beds opening in October 2022. Visit the Nuss Center online.

NORFOLK, Va. – Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) celebrated the forthcoming opening of inpatient psychiatric care in the new 14-story Children’s Pavilion with an official dedication ceremony this morning.

Speakers at the ceremony included Senator Creigh Deeds; John Littel, Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia; Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander; former Governor Ralph Northam; Jim Dahling, President and CEO of CHKD Health System; Akhil Jain, Board Chair of CHKD Health System; John Lawson, Chair of CHKD’s Lighting the Way fundraising campaign for mental health; Carl Petersen, DO, CHKD’s Chief of Mental Health Services; and Amy Sampson, CHKD Senior Vice-President and Chief Engagement and Innovation Officer. 

“There’s been a lot said that this hospital is going to be the best in the state, but I’ve been to a bunch of hospitals, and it’s going to be the best in the country,” said Senator Deeds, whose son, Gus, struggled with mental illness before committing suicide outside the family’s rural Virginia home in 2013. “I can’t explain how meaningful it was to see this beautiful hospital for the first time – to tour the rooms and see how much care and attention went into creating a healing environment. I can’t think of a more worthy investment than in the mental wellbeing and health care of children. This will be a place where kids get better, where hope is restored to families, and where others all over the country, and probably all over the world, look to for advances in research and treatment.”

“Children’s Pavilion marks a major step forward in addressing the mental health crisis currently overwhelming the Commonwealth,” said Mayor Alexander. “When fully operational, this beautiful facility will admit about 2,500 children as inpatients every year, provide 48,000 outpatient therapy appointments, and add 400 new jobs. Norfolk is proud to be your home, CHKD, and we’re depending on you to do the same for children’s mental health as you’ve done for children’s medical care.”

“The pandemic opened our eyes to the consequences of isolation and separation, and the importance of school, sports, and play dates to our children’s development and mental health,” said Dahling. “We broke ground in 2019 with an urgency to tackle the waves of fear, anxiety, and depression sending children to our emergency department in mental health crisis and, though time will tell, the pandemic may be turning those waves into a tsunami. But we are here and ready to serve with the most caring, talented, and compassionate team of mental health professionals who embody the spirit and vision of CHKD’s mission statement of ‘health, healing, and hope for all children.’”

CHKD has brought together esteemed clinicians, researchers, and academicians from across the country to transform the way young people receive mental health care. Located at 401 Gresham Drive, Children’s Pavilion will be the hub of a coordinated continuum of mental health services, including prevention programs, research and training, acute inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, day programs, and follow-up care.

“We embrace this program,” said Northam, a pediatric neurologist at CHKD. “We embrace the children and their families who need access to mental health care. We want all children and families who have a mental health crisis to come here. We want to take care of them.”

Outpatient services began in Children’s Pavilion in April 2022. The first 12-bed inpatient psychiatric unit will officially open on October 11. Additional units will open in a phased approach through mid-2023, when all 60 private inpatient rooms will be open.

CHKD launched a mental health initiative in 2018 to answer the growing community concern about a lack of pediatric mental health services in Hampton Roads and across Virginia. Since then, CHKD has grown its mental health team from one full-time child and adolescent psychiatrist who was part of a 30-member team to its current 19 psychiatrists on a team of more than 200, which is expected to double by the time all inpatient beds are open.

Thanks to the generous community response to the CHKD Lighting the Way fundraising campaign, construction of Children’s Pavilion began in September 2019. The community has raised $68 million toward this project through the Lighting the Way campaign, exceeding a preliminary goal which has now been elevated to $75 million to meet the increased needs for pediatric mental health care that arose during the pandemic. To help CHKD fulfill the needs of the community, visit this Lighting the Way link.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF THE KING’S DAUGHTERS:

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 to address the mental health crisis facing our youth. The new tower opened for outpatient care in April 2022 and will open for inpatient care on October 11, 2022.

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – U.S. News & World Report has ranked the Virginia Congenital Cardiac Collaborative, CHKD’s partnership with University of Virginia Children’s hospital, one of the best cardiology and heart surgery programs in the country. 

The publication’s 2022-23 “Best Children’s Hospitals” guide ranked the collaborative No. 20 among the top 50 pediatric cardiology and heart surgery programs in the nation.

The U.S. News Best Children’s Hospitals guide identifies hospitals providing the highest-quality care for children with the most serious or complicated healthcare needs. The rankings are based on several factors, including patient outcomes, the availability of specialized clinics and programs, patient safety measures and a national survey of pediatric specialists.

Virginia Congenital Cardiac Collaborative was formed in 2017 and combines the efforts of pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, intensive care physicians and cardiac support professionals from CHKD and UVA with the goal of improving outcomes for children with complex congenital heart defects.

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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 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, with inpatient beds opening in October 2022. Learn more at CHKD.org.