Health System News - January 2026
Sign Up for CHKD News & Updates
Robotic-Assisted Surgery Expands Minimally Invasive Options at CHKD
CHKD offers robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci system as part of its minimally invasive surgical program for pediatric patients. Operated by surgeons from a console in the operating room, the system enhances precision, visualization, and control, particularly during complex or delicate procedures and in hard-to-reach anatomical areas.
“By equipping our surgeons with the tools and expertise they need to use advanced surgical technology, we ensure our pediatric patients receive the best possible outcomes through minimally invasive procedures,” says Dr. Robert Obermeyer, Vice President and Chief of Surgery at CHKD. “We are committed to pioneering the future of pediatric surgery through the use of the most advanced robotic technology available.”
While the da Vinci system can be used for many different types of surgery, at CHKD, it is most often used by our pediatric urologists and general pediatric surgeons for surgeries of the abdomen or chest. Robotics can also be used for orthopedic surgery, abdominal surgery, and even some cardiac and ENT surgeries. "I truly believe that most of our surgeries over the next few decades will evolve into much more precise and less invasive techniques, thanks to technology like the da Vinci," says Dr. Janelle Fox, pediatric urologist and Chief of Pediatric Urology at CHKD.
CHKD surgeons perform more than 40 robotic-assisted procedures each year. These approaches have become a routine option for select cases where a minimally invasive technique may offer clinical benefit.
For appropriately selected patients, robotic-assisted surgery can offer smaller incisions, less postoperative pain, reduced need for narcotic medications, decreased blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times. These benefits are especially valuable for pediatric patients and their families.
CHKD Announcements
Dr. Eric Lowe, chair of the EVMS/ODU Department of Pediatrics and CHKD’s Chief Clinical Academic Officer, and his fellow pediatric department chairs at UVA and VCU have written a letter expressing their concern about ending universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth. The physician leaders are unanimous in their support of universal hepatitis B vaccination of all newborns at birth as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and decades of scientific evidence. Read the Letter >
We are proud to announce that CHKD’s Outpatient Pharmacy has been awarded FULL Accreditation by the URAC Accreditation Committee under the Specialty Pharmacy, Version 5.0 Program. This prestigious recognition, effective December 1, 2025, through December 1, 2028, highlights our commitment to delivering high-quality health services and excellence in specialty pharmacy care. More to come in an upcoming edition of our newsletter. Stay tuned!
Physician Education and Information
1st and 4th Monday of the Month | 12-1 p.m. | Brickhouse Auditorium
Pediatric grand rounds, sponsored by the EVMS Department of Pediatrics, part of Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Science at ODU, are offered on the 1st and 4th Monday of the month to faculty, community faculty, residents, medical students, and other healthcare professionals. Come and learn about various topics led by local and national clinical experts. All participants receive1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit for attending.
Managing Dysmenorrhea in the Primary Care Setting
Tuesday, February 24 | 12- 1 p.m. | Virtual
Presenter: Kristl Tomlin, MD, Child and Adolescent Gynecology at CHKD
This session will be presented by Dr. Kristl Tomlin, a board-certified pediatric and adolescent gynecologist at CHKD. The discussion will focus on practical approaches to evaluating and managing dysmenorrhea in primary care, including history-taking in adolescents, underlying pathophysiology, medication options and counseling strategies, and guidance on when imaging and referral to gynecology are recommended.
Objectives:
- Cover history-taking strategies in an adolescent with dysmenorrhea.
- Review pathophysiology of adolescent dysmenorrhea.
- Discuss medication options and counseling for dysmenorrhea in the primary care setting.
- Review when imaging and referrals are recommended to Gynecology for further dysmenorrhea evaluation.
About the Presenter:
Kristl Tomlin, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified pediatric and adolescent gynecologist and OBGYN, and associate professor at Old Dominion University with expertise in complex gynecologic care.
Credit Designation:
This activity is designated for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ through joint providership with Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University and CHKD.
Friday, February 6 | 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. | EVMS, Lester Hall | Virtual Option Available
This activity aims to provide attendees with a better understanding of how the House Bill 1, often referenced as HB1, will affect people with disabilities and the challenges in obtaining an autism diagnosis. In addition, the speakers will provide insights into treating anxiety, nutritional problems and water safety for children with autism. Lastly, the speakers will provide expertise and updates on the genetics and molecular therapies for autism, as well as, how workplaces can provide better support for people with autism as they transition to adulthood.
Credit Designation: Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University designates the live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Resources for Patients and Families
2026 Pilates Mat Class Series
January 10-February 21, 11 a.m. | CHKD Health Center at Landstown, Virginia Beach
Connection Through Mindful Parenting
Tuesday, January 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
Thursday, January 22, 6:30-8 p.m. | Virtual
29th Annual CHKD School Healthcare Conference
Saturday, February 7, 7:15 a.m. - 3 p.m. | EVMS Waitzer Hall, Norfolk
Provider Relations at CHKD