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Provider Relations News and Updates

Health System News - July 2026

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Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month

Specialized Care, Lifelong Impact

July is Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month, a time to recognize the unique challenges faced by children with cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis, facial asymmetry, and other craniofacial differences, and the life-changing impact of early, coordinated care.

At CHKD's Cleft and Craniofacial Center, families find more than expert medical treatment; they gain a dedicated team of specialists committed to supporting their child every step of the way. As the region's leading pediatric craniofacial program and an accredited team through the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, CHKD brings together pediatric plastic, oral, and maxillofacial surgeons, neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, dentists, orthodontists, ophthalmoloists, geneticists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and social workers to provide comprehensive, coordinated care from infancy through young adulthood.

For referring providers, this means access to a trusted multidisciplinary team experienced in caring for both routine and complex craniofacial conditions. Whether a diagnosis is made prenatally, at birth, or later in childhood, CHKD offers seamless coordination, individualized treatment planning, and ongoing support designed to help children achieve the best possible functional, developmental, and aesthetic outcomes.

Together, we're helping children eat, speak, hear, breathe, smile, and thrive, while giving families the confidence that they're receiving expert care close to home.

Refer a Patient to CHKD's Cleft and Craniofacial Center


In this video, Dr. Weston Santee, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at CHKD, explains the nature, causes, and prevalence of cleft lip and palate. He emphasizes that this is a common, manageable congenital condition often resulting from a mix of genetic and environmental factors.

Lumen Arrow And His Twin Brother

Meet Lumen-Arrow Mangune

Lumen-Arrow spent 10 weeks in the NICU and has since received coordinated care from multiple CHKD specialties, including gastroenterology, cardiology, pediatric surgery, and the Cleft and Craniofacial Center. Today, at 10 months old, Lumen-Arrow is thriving and exploring the world with his twin brother.

Remembering Dr. Faiqa Qureshi

Dr. Faiqa QureshiOn May 29, CHKD held a plaque dedication ceremony honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Faiqa Qureshi, a beloved physician who served the hospital for more than 30 years before her passing at the end of 2025. Dr. Qureshi served many years as medical director of the Emergency Department and was widely respected for her clinical leadership, dedication, and compassion for patients and families. The ceremony included remarks from hospital leaders and reflections from colleague and friend, Dr. Michael Poirier. A commemorative plaque was unveiled in her honor in the Emergency Department, located across from the nurses’ station, as a lasting tribute to her extraordinary contributions to CHKD and the community we serve.

CHKD Announcemets

Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year Nominations Open

Now through July 30, nominations are open for the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year Awards. Categories include:

  • Inpatient APP of the Year
  • Outpatient/Specialty APP of the Year
  • New APP of the Year
  • APP Educator of the Year
  • APP Leader of the Year

All team members are encouraged to submit APP nominations hereWinners will be selected through an internal voting process and honored by the APP Advocacy Council at an awards ceremony on Wednesday, September 23, from noon to 2 p.m. in Brickhouse Auditorium.

Soft Tissue Extremity Ultrasound Orders: Ordering Guidance for Providers

When evaluating joint effusion, synovitis, inflammation around a joint, abscesses/collections, or soft tissue masses, please use one of the following ultrasound orders:

  • US Soft Tissue Upper Extremity/Axilla – Covers all soft tissues of the upper extremity.
  • US Soft Tissue Lower Extremity – Covers all soft tissues of the lower extremity.
  • US Hip Greater Than 12 Months – Hip Effusion – Specifically for evaluation of hip effusions in patients older than 12 months.

Important: When placing an order, please specify the exact area or joint to be scanned.

Please note that CHKD does not perform musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound for the evaluation of ligaments and tendons. However, ultrasound can be used to assess soft tissues surrounding joints and identify inflammation, fluid collections, and other soft tissue abnormalities in these areas.

Thank you for helping ensure accurate imaging orders and timely patient care.

Physician Education and Information

Pediatric Grand Rounds

1st and 4th Monday of the Month | 12-1 p.m. | Brickhouse Auditorium

Pediatric Grand Rounds LogoPediatric 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.

View a List of Upcoming Topics

Provider Relations CME Lunch and Learn Series

 

"POTS" - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual

Learn More and Register Here

Tracy Alderson, MDPresenter: Tracy Alderson, MD, Pediatric Cardiology at CHKD

This CHKD Provider Relation CME Lunch & Learn session features a case-based review of orthostatic intolerance and nonsustained tachycardia. This session will walk through key differential diagnoses, review diagnostic criteria for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and outline a practical pre-referral workup designed to streamline cardiology consultation and support efficient, informed referrals.

Objectives

  • Review a typical case of orthostatic intolerance.
  • Explore broad differential diagnosis for nonsustained tachycardia without syncope.
  • Examine the diagnostic criteria for POTS.
  • Discuss the pre-referral workup that can assist the Cardiologist in streamlining the consultation.

Little Teeth are a Big Deal: Pearls of Pediatric Dentistry for Providers and Parents

Monday, August 17, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual

Learn More and Register Here

Ashley Anderson, DDSPresenter: Ashley Anderson, DDS, Children’s Dentistry at CHKD

Join CHKD’s upcoming Provider Relations CME Lunch & Learn, Little Teeth Are a Big Deal: Pearls of Pediatric Dentistry for Providers and Parents, for practical guidance on pediatric oral health and its impact on overall wellness. This educational session will provide valuable insights providers can use to support early prevention, identify common dental concerns, and help families establish healthy oral care habits from infancy through adolescence.

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.

Accreditation Statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University and Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.


Provider Relations Lunch & Learn Recordings

Stay up to date with the latest clinical insights through our Provider Relations CME Lunch & Learn series. Each recap highlights key takeaways, evidence-based recommendations, and actionable guidance for primary and specialty care providers.

Watch the Playlist

Faculty Excellence

Dr. Erin Hamersley Publishes Review on Pediatric Airway Disorders

Congratulations to Dr. Erin Hamersley, pediatric otolaryngologist at CHKD, on the publication of her latest article, Non-surgical Management of Neoplastic and Inflammatory Conditions of the Airway, in Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. Co-authored with Dr. Craig Derkay, the review examines the diagnosis and medical management of several pediatric airway conditions, including recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, subglottic hemangioma, laryngopharyngeal reflux disease, and recurrent croup.

The article highlights key advances in non-surgical treatment, including the role of HPV vaccination in the prevention and management of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, propranolol as the gold-standard treatment for subglottic hemangioma, and the importance of evaluating children with recurrent croup for underlying anatomic or medical conditions. The review also emphasizes the need for prompt recognition and treatment of airway disorders, which can quickly lead to respiratory compromise in children.

CHKD is proud to recognize Dr. Hamersley’s contributions to pediatric otolaryngology and her ongoing commitment to advancing evidence-based care for children with complex airway conditions. Read the abstract here.

Resources for Patients and Families

Mid-summer Reset: Supporting Kids’ Emotions, Routines & Resilience

Thursday, July 16 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual

Understand the emotional and behavioral shifts kids often experience when summer routines loosen, and how changes in sleep, screens, and structure can affect regulation. This workshop offers practical co‑regulation tools, flexible routines, and connection‑based strategies that strengthen resilience and ease the transition back to school. Families leave with simple, sustainable approaches to support stability, confidence, and calmer days in the second half of summer. Learn more and register here.

Positive Connections Over Power Struggles (Ages 5–12)

Tuesday, August 4 | 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Virtual

Parent educator and grandparent Vickie Harralson introduces the 6/7 method, a set of six skills and seven activities that help families replace power struggles with stronger, more positive connections. The program gives parents practical tools to communicate effectively, set healthy boundaries, and respond to challenging behaviors with confidence. Learn more and register here.

Community Connections: Parent Education Summer Programs

Read the latest issue of Community Connections, a CHKD publication featuring opportunities for education, engagement, and action for parents and professionals.

See a List of CHKD Parent Education Summer Programs

Provider Relations at CHKD

Our provider relations team is here to answer questions regarding interactions with CHKD and to provide updates on new specialists, services, and hospital-related programs.