Health System News - August 2026
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Nerve Decompression Surgery Offers Lasting Migraine Relief for Carefully Selected Pediatric Patients
After developing a severe, persistent migraine following a mild COVID
infection, teenager Audrey Maynard spent months unable to attend school regularly or participate in the activities she loved. Despite extensive medical management, her symptoms continued.
Under the care of Ryan Williams, MD, pediatric neurologist and medical director of the Headache Center at CHKD, Audrey underwent diagnostic nerve blocks that temporarily eliminated her pain, suggesting a peripheral nerve source for her migraines. Dr. Williams referred her to Yifan Guo, MD, a plastic surgeon at CHKD and the only surgeon in Virginia offering pediatric migraine nerve decompression surgery.
Using targeted nerve blocks, Dr. Guo identified the nerves responsible for Audrey's symptoms and confirmed she was an appropriate surgical candidate. He then performed staged nerve decompression procedures, releasing tissue and blood vessels compressing the affected nerves.
Following surgery, Audrey's migraines ended and she remains pain-free today.
While nerve decompression surgery is appropriate for only a select group of patients, CHKD's multidisciplinary team provides access to this specialized treatment option that previously required referral outside Virginia.
Audrey's Journey Back from Chronic Migraines
Nerve Release Surgery at CHKD
CHKD Announcemets
The CHKD Outpatient Pharmacy has returned to normal operating hours as of July 20 and is available to support the prescription needs of CHKD patients and families, including specialty and hard-to-find medications.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Please note: Our Meds to Beds program remains temporarily paused.
Please join us in welcoming Sarah Laurenzano, MD, to CHKD's Division of Pediatric Endocrinology. Dr. Laurenzano is a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist who cares for children and adolescents with endocrine and diabetes-related conditions. She earned her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts, completed her pediatric residency at Baystate Children's Hospital, and went on to complete a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego.
Before joining CHKD, Dr. Laurenzano practiced in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and recently returned to the East Coast to be closer to family and continue her passion for providing exceptional pediatric care.
We are excited to welcome Dr. Laurenzano to the CHKD team and look forward to the expertise, compassion, and dedication she brings to the patients and families we serve.
CHKD’s Health Center and Urgent Care at Loehmann’s Plaza will have limited radiology services during a 10-week radiology equipment upgrade. The upgrade is expected to continue through mid-October.
During the upgrade, limited radiology services will remain available for urgent care patients through a mobile imaging unit. Certain studies may be redirected to another CHKD location, while some routine studies will still be available.
Outpatient radiology services will not be available at Loehmann’s Plaza during the upgrade. Outpatient radiology patients may visit CHKD’s Volvo Parkway Urgent Care, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., or CHKD locations at Oakbrooke and Concert Drive (open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make these improvements to better serve our patients and families. We will provide updates as they become available.
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.
Little Teeth are a Big Deal: Pearls of Pediatric Dentistry for Providers and Parents
Monday, August 17, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual
Presenter: 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.
Recognizing Hemangiomas and Other Vascular Birthmarks in the Primary Care Setting
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 12:15-1:15 p.m. | Virtual
Presenters: David Darrow, MD, Judith Williams, MD, and Katherine Watson, MD, Pediatric ENT, Dermatology, and Hematology Oncology at CHKD
In this Lunch & Learn session learn how to recognize and distinguish infantile hemangiomas from other vascular birthmarks, assess risk factors, and apply current AAP guidelines and treatment strategies in primary care practice.
Autonomic Dysregulation in the Hypermobile Child
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 5-6 p.m. | Virtual
Presenter: Katrina Lesher, MD, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at CHKD
This Provider Relations CME Lunch & Learn session explores the clinical features of autonomic dysregulation in children with hypermobility, including common symptoms, associated conditions, and warning signs that may indicate more serious concerns. Participants will learn evidence-based approaches to evaluation and management in the primary care setting and identify when specialty referral and multidisciplinary care are needed.
Pediatric Headache
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual
Presenter: Georg Dahl, MD, Pediatric Neurology at CHKD
This Provider Relations CME Lunch & Learn session reviews common pediatric headache syndromes and provides practical strategies for diagnosing and managing headaches in children. Participants will learn about current abortive and preventive migraine treatments and gain a better understanding of evidence-based approaches to pediatric migraine care.
Please note: CME credit is awarded only to participants who attend in person. Credit is not available for viewing recorded sessions.
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.
Resources for Patients and Families
September 9 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual
Join us for a practical program designed to help families build resilience together. Through supportive relationships, everyday coping tools, and simple problem-solving strategies, caregivers will discover ways to help children and teens face challenges with confidence, develop a healthy growth mindset, and feel supported through life’s ups and downs. Learn more and register here.
September 16 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual
Join our virtual workshop to explore childcare options in the Hampton Roads area, learn how to identify high-quality care, and discover financial assistance programs to support your family. Get practical tips and tools for finding and evaluating childcare providers in your area that meet the needs of your family. Learn more and register here.
Provider Relations at CHKD