KIDSTUFF Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters
Spring 2022
A Kid at Heart
CHKD repairs 26-year-old Navy man’s congenital defect
Mental Health Expansion Update
Autumn Carolino, from Suffolk, enjoys exploring shelves full of toys, games, videos, and art supplies while she receives treatment in CHKD’s inpatient hematology and oncology unit. At age 2, Autumn was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor, a type of childhood cancer that starts in the kidneys. After seven months of treatment at CHKD, including 103 days as an inpatient, scans showed that Autumn is in remission. “During treatment, it was the playrooms that gave Autumn a chance to laugh, talk, play, and be free,” says Autumn’s mom, Ashley. “We were surrounded by so much heaviness; the playrooms were a slice of smile.” Today, Autumn spends her days riding her purple scooter, reading, and swinging at the playground. She recently celebrated turning 3 with a Minnie and Mickey Mouse birthday party.
Kidstuff is a publication of Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters 601 Children’s Lane, Norfolk, VA 23507 (757) 668-7043
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President/CEO Jim Dahling
OUR BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
SPRING 2022
(As of February 2022)
Children’s Health System
CHKD Checkup Welcome to the
Akhil Jain, Chair Julie Childress Beck Martha Colen
Family
Jim Dahling R. Justin Fulton
Living with Diabetes
Kieran Poulos Marta S. Satin-Smith, MD Brian R. Skinner
Kim Georges
Elly Bradshaw Smith
Owen Griffin
Svinder S. Toor, MD
John R. Lawson, II
Autumn Rivera diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after life-threatening complication lands her in CHKD’s intensive care unit
Robert J. Obermeyer, MD
Miles Leon Kevin Murphy
Kathryn M. Van Buren Stacey J. Vellines Edward D. Whitmore
Scott Nottingham, MD
Children’s Health Foundation
Treating Body and Mind
Lawrence A. Bernert III, Chair
Mental health services expand with new medical-psychiatric unit and special area in emergency department
Dan Boyle
Kelly Johnson
Scott Carr
Carrie Lauck
Mark Compton Jim Dahling
11 Mental Health: Lighting the Way Campaign Builds on Success
Michael R. Matacunas Merrick McCabe
Kimberley Geiger
Kim McMillan
Doug Hillebrandt
Matthew Nusbaum
Henry J. Huelsberg, III
Karen Priest
The King’s Daughters Stacey J. Vellines, President
12 A Kid at Heart
Paula Adams Beth Bryant
Navy man suffering from congenital defect undergoes open heart surgery at CHKD
Laura Fulton
Thirteen-year-old patient leads fundraiser for his friends at CHKD
Taylor Priest Kathy Protogyrou
Katherine M. Knaus
Sunny Barlow Sonner
Carrie L. Lauck
Ashley Friend Vellines
Nicole Federinko Legum
17 Sam’s Warriors
Ame McCullin
Carrie Williams
Kidstuff Editorial Team
18 Calendar
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Amy Sampson
MANAGING EDITOR
Ridgely Ingersoll
EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITORS GRAPHIC DESIGNER
20 Making a Difference
A look at some of our all-star supporters
Heather Kent Brandi Potts, Alice Warchol Eric Cardenas
© 2022 Children’s Health System Inc.
To be removed from the Kidstuff mailing list, email Gifts@CHKD.org or call (757) 668-7070. PHOTOGRAPH BY Susan Lowe
Connect with CHKD through social media.
CHKD.org
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CHKD Checkup CHKD Named One of Newsweek’s 2022 World’s Best Specialized Hospitals Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters has been included on this year’s list of top 150 hospitals specializing in pediatrics, a prestigious ranking presented by Newsweek and Statista, a global market and consumer data research firm. More than 40,000 medical experts completed an online survey in the summer of 2021 to recommend and rank hospitals for their expertise. The results were then validated by a global board of renowned experts.
Reducing Violence in Our Community CHKD’s trauma team recently developed Safer Futures, a hospital-based violence intervention program that combines the efforts of medical staff and trusted community partners to provide safety planning, services, and trauma-informed care to violently injured children and young adults. Goals of the grant-funded program include breaking the cycle of violence, reducing re-injury rates, strengthening neighborhoods, and providing families with safety resources.
OnieTonie Brightens More CHKD Hallways A walkway on the first floor of the hospital recently received a colorful makeover by local artist and muralist Troy Summerell of OnieTonie Designs. Summerell spent a year designing the large, vibrant piece featuring his signature sea creatures, which also make CHKD’s transport units so distinctive and cheerful.
Emergency Department Scores High in Pediatric Readiness CHKD’s emergency department received high marks from the National Pediatrics Readiness Project (NPRP), which assesses the preparedness of all U.S. emergency departments to provide top-quality care to children. During a recent NPRP assessment, CHKD earned a score of 98 out of 100. The average score of hospitals with similar pediatric volume was 90, and the national average for all participating hospitals was 71. The high readiness score of CHKD’s ED equates to a lower mortality rate for children with critical illnesses.
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Welcome to the
Family (As of March 2022)
CHILDREN’S SPECIALTY GROUP Cardiology Tracy Alderson, MD, is a cardiologist who is board-certified in both pediatrics and pediatric cardiology. She earned her medical degree from the University of Kansas and completed a residency at San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium. She also received fellowship training at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Dr. Alderson comes to CHKD after 20 years of active duty with the U.S. Air Force. She has special interest in adolescent cardiology and echocardiography.
Mental Health Thomas Henry, MD, a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, has been named medical director of outpatient mental health services at CHKD. He received his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine, followed by a residency and fellowship training at WSU/Detroit Medical Center. Dr. Henry has clinical experience in early childhood behavioral health, neurodevelopmental disorders in children, and youth in the child welfare system. Jennifer Flaherty, PhD, a licensed psychologist who specializes in neuropsychology, earned her doctorate from Illinois Institute of Technology. She completed an internship and a post-doctorate fellowship at Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System and University of Michigan Health System. Before joining CHKD, Dr. Flaherty taught, conducted research, and provided outpatient services in the EVMS department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. Lisa Roberts, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist, received her doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. She completed an internship at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and a fellowship at Charlottesville League of Therapists. Dr. Roberts previously served as director of a child and adolescent psychology program in Mississippi and worked as a psychologist at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and with Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Pain and Palliative Care Abigail Chilsen, MD, a board-certified family medicine doctor, received her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and completed a residency at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Dr. Chilsen also completed fellowship training in Duke University’s inaugural pediatric track in hospice and palliative medicine where she discovered a passion for caring for patients who are navigating serious illnesses while transitioning from pediatric to adult care.
Urology Janelle Fox, MD, a board-certified pediatric urologist, earned her medical degree from University of California San Diego School of Medicine and a Master of Science in healthcare quality and safety management from Thomas Jefferson University. She completed her residency at the Mayo Clinic and a fellowship at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Dr. Fox’s clinical interests include treatment of kidney stones, genitourinary trauma and reconstruction, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, and treatment of refractory voiding dysfunction.
CHKD MEDICAL GROUP General Academic Pediatrics Lillian Nalwoga, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician who completed her medical degree at Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda and received a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Dr. Nalwoga spent seven years as a physician with the Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation in Lesotho, Africa, before completing her residency at CHKD. SPRING 2022
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L iving with D iabetes
Autumn Rivera diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after life-threatening complication lands her in CHKD’s intensive care unit he first sign of 4-year-old Autumn Rivera’s hidden illness was a sudden constant thirst. In September of 2020, Autumn’s mother, Taylor, became increasingly concerned when her young daughter lost five pounds and began to wet the bed nearly every night – something that hadn’t happened for years. At a visit to her family doctor, a test revealed that Autumn’s blood sugar level hovered near 500, far above the normal range of 70 to 140. Taylor, a medical assistant, remembers the doctor telling her, “You need to take Autumn to CHKD right now. They’re going to have to admit her.” By the time Taylor reached CHKD’s emergency department from their home in Newport News, Autumn’s blood sugar was over 600. Lab results confirmed what the doctors suspected: Autumn had Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone essential for allowing glucose to enter the body’s cells to be used for energy. Left undetected, children who have Type 1 diabetes can
become dangerously ill and suffer brain damage. The complications can be fatal. Like many children carrying this illness but who have yet to be diagnosed, Autumn had developed a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). More than a dozen children come to CHKD’s emergency department every month suffering from this condition, and for many parents, it’s the first indication their child has diabetes. With DKA, Autumn’s body was breaking down fat for fuel, producing acids called ketones. When too many ketones are produced too quickly, they can build up to dangerous levels in the body. She would need to be treated in the pediatric intensive care unit at CHKD and placed on an intravenous insulin drip.
WRITTEN BY Alice Warchol • PHOTOGRAPHY BY Susan Lowe
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When Autumn arrived at CHKD’s emergency department, her blood sugar level was nearly five times the normal range.
Autumn, who wears a blood sugar monitor and insulin pump, doesn’t let diabetes slow her down.
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“DKA can be very dangerous, even deadly,” says Dr. Melinda Penn, one of six pediatric endocrinologists at CHKD. “We want to make sure that we, as medical doctors and families, respect it and recognize it before it causes major issues.” The signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in children usually develop quickly and may include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, excessive appetite, weight loss, irritability, and fruitysmelling breath – a warning sign of ketoacidosis. The biggest concern in dealing with Autumn’s DKA was that she might slip into a coma. “It was very scary,” Taylor says. “Definitely the worst day of my life.”
More than a dozen children come to CHKD’s emergency department every month suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and for many parents, it’s the first indication their child has diabetes. Taylor was sitting in the ICU, in tears and feeling overwhelmed, when she first met Dr. Penn. “She explained to me that although Type 1 diabetes is a serious condition, it doesn’t have to be scary,” says Taylor. “With proper care and diet, we can manage it.” And then, Dr. Penn shared something personal: She also has Type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed as a teenager, her own medical journey steered her to study diabetes and endocrinology. “I share this with my patients because I’m also doing everything that I tell them they have to do to take care of themselves,” Dr. Penn says.
Taylor felt so reassured. “Dr. Penn has such a special place in my heart,” she says. “She was so patient and understanding.” Over the next 48 hours, Autumn’s blood sugar level slowly came down. While her daughter’s condition improved, Taylor learned how to monitor everything Autumn ate and to give her insulin before every meal. Nurses from CHKD’s diabetes education center taught Taylor to calculate carbohydrates, measure Autumn’s blood sugar, and determine how much insulin her daughter would need and when. After four days at CHKD, Autumn was well enough to return home, and Taylor was prepared to manage her daughter’s newly diagnosed illness. “CHKD is awesome,” Taylor says. “We appreciate everything everyone there has done for us.” Today, Autumn is back to feeling like her old self. The 5-year-old, who is benefiting from technology advances in diabetes care, now loves to dance and play outside. To keep her blood sugar in check, she wears a monitoring device and a special pump, which delivers a constant flow of insulin throughout the day. The pump eliminates the need for multiple daily injections. Taylor monitors Autumn’s blood sugar readings through an app on her smartphone. The entire family has made changes to their diet to support Autumn. Although she struggles at times to keep her blood sugar level within the proper range, she understands how important it is to limit how often she enjoys a sugary treat. And, when Taylor has any concerns about her daughter, she knows that Dr. Penn will always return her call, even after hours. “Dr. Penn always goes above and beyond,” Taylor says. “I love all of the staff at our endocrinology office at CHKD’s health center in Newport News.”
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b o d y a n d m i n d Mental health services expand with new medical-psychiatric unit and special area in emergency department
HKD recently made two big steps toward its goal of improving access to the most needed mental health services for our region’s children – opening a new medical-psychiatric inpatient unit and a new section of the emergency department specifically to meet the needs of patients with mental health concerns. The medical-psychiatric unit, located in the main hospital, is designed to provide inpatient care for young people who need both medical treatment and mental health services. For instance, a child with an eating disorder may need medical intervention to treat poor nutrition along with mental health care to target the psychological aspects of the illness. A patient who has overdosed on medication will need to be physically stabilized and provided emotional support to address what led them to be admitted. The unit is made up of seven private rooms designed to provide a safe environment, even when patients may be struggling with urges to harm themselves. A multipurpose area provides space for therapeutic group activities. Another room provides a place where patients can use sensory stimuli like music or the feeling of special textured surfaces to help manage their emotions. “It’s a setting where mental health care is integrated into everyday medical interventions,” says Rachel Andam-Mejia, MSN, RN, nursing director of the new unit. “There is downtime during inpatient medical treatment when the child is recovering in bed, and we’re now able to use that WRITTEN BY Elizabeth Earley • PHOTOGRAPHY BY Ken Mountain
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Monica May Lombos, RN; Dr. Lynn Page, psychologist; and Dr. Edward Johnson, hospitalist, prepare for the opening of CHKD’s medical-psychiatric unit. Learn more and take a video tour by visiting CHKD.org/MedPsych.
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The 14-story Children’s Pavilion will offer mental health services that include 60 private inpatient rooms; indoor and outdoor recreation centers; music, art, and educational facilities; along with outpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
time to provide mental health care, such as teaching coping skills,” says Dr. Daniel Spencer, associate chief of psychiatry and mental health services at CHKD. “It’s a whole-child, integrated approach that helps children while they are here, and also gives them skills for when they go home again.” Patients with mental health concerns will also have a new space in the emergency department, which was redesigned to include a six-bed area for them. Built with safety in mind, the area gives patients more privacy and is staffed by nurses, mental health coaches, and mental health technicians, along with emergency medicine and other mental health providers. These two areas are important components of CHKD’s ambitious mental health initiative, the centerpiece of which is the $224 million Children’s Pavilion currently under construction on the hospital’s Norfolk campus.
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In addition to 60 inpatient beds, the Pavilion will offer outpatient therapy and partial hospitalization programs. “We’re designing care to meet specific needs in our community, and in the least restrictive settings possible for our patients,” says Dr. Carl Petersen, CHKD’s chief of psychiatry and mental health services. The Children’s Pavilion will house a variety of medical services, so seeking mental health treatment will be as routine and accepted as any other healthcare service. A CHKD sports medicine clinic and General Academic Pediatrics will move into the building this spring. Outpatient mental health services will open next, followed by the first inpatient beds in the fall. See opposite page for more information on the building’s opening and how you can help CHKD light the way to better mental health care for children.
Lighting the Way Campaign Builds on Success
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HKD established the Lighting the Way campaign to support our efforts to address the shortage of mental health services for children in our region and beyond. The centerpiece of this initiative is our new Children’s Pavilion, a 14-story tower on our main campus in Norfolk where exceptionally talented clinicians, researchers, and medical educators from across the U.S. are joining the CHKD team to provide desperately needed mental health inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization services.
$75 MILLION
$6 5.4 7M
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87.3%
The generous response of our community to this need has been remarkable. We have exceeded our initial goal to raise $60 million in support of this initiative; however, with the mental health needs of our children escalating at an alarming rate, we have decided to push past this target to establish a new goal of $75 million to provide more of the services needed to tackle the ever-growing crisis affecting our youth. Our new facility will begin a phased opening in the coming months with the launch of outpatient services in mental health and the opening of General Academic Pediatrics and a sports medicine clinic. The opening of inpatient mental health services will begin in fall of 2022 and continue in phases through 2023.
Amount raised to date: $65.47 million (As of March 2022)
Please join us in lighting the way to a brighter future for all children by making a gift to our mental health campaign. A donation envelope is enclosed in this magazine, or you may give online by scanning this QR code or visiting CHKD.org/LightingTheWay.
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A Kid at Heart Navy man suffering from congenital defect undergoes open heart surgery at CHKD
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hevaughn Griffiths had no reason to think there was something wrong with the way his heart had developed before he was born. From his childhood in Jamaica, to enlisting in the U.S. Navy, he never suspected he was living with a rare congenital heart defect – until crippling pain sent him on a search for answers. Even then, he could not have imagined that, at 25 years old, he would undergo open heart surgery at CHKD, the children’s hospital near his home in Chesapeake, Virginia. In July of 2020, Chevaughn was working in a fuel lab aboard a guided missile cruiser, somewhere past the Suez Canal, when he experienced pain so intense he couldn’t move. The pain began in his left hand, traveled up his arm, and then to his shoulder and neck. “It really stopped me in my tracks,” says Chevaughn, who was 24 at the time. “I could not move for over a minute. It was so painful. I had tears in my eyes.” On doctor’s orders, Chevaughn had a full checkup at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) once he returned home. By then, he was experiencing chest pain frequently. Cardiologists at NMCP ordered a CT scan to see if it would reveal any answers. They called Chevaughn with the results that same day. The scan showed that the right side of Chevaughn’s heart was enlarged and there was an abnormality of a major blood vessel. The cardiology team at NMCP referred him to Dr. Alexander Ellis, one of two cardiologists at CHKD’s Heart Center who is board-certified in the treatment of congenital heart defects in adults. While adult cardiologists and cardiac surgeons primarily treat normal hearts that have become diseased over time, CHKD’s Heart Center features a program that specializes in taking care of patients of all ages whose
hearts have malformations that were present at birth. After his evaluation by Dr. Ellis, Chevaughn learned he had a heart defect called partially anomalous pulmonary venous return, or PAPVR. One of the veins that is supposed to carry oxygenated blood from his lungs to the left side of his heart was instead attached to the right side of his heart. “This abnormal structure led to increased blood flow to the right side of his heart and lungs, which enlarged his heart and increased pressure in the blood vessels of his lungs,” says Dr. Ellis. “As a result, Chevaughn’s heart was growing bigger and he was getting 50 percent more blood flow through his lungs than what is normal.” Initially, Chevaughn didn’t want to believe something had been seriously wrong with his heart since birth. But he began to accept his diagnosis after he met with Dr. Philip Smith, chief of cardiac surgery at CHKD, and Dr. James Gangemi, surgical director of the regional collaborative for cardiac care at CHKD, a partnership established by CHKD and the University of Virginia. Gangemi also serves as surgical director of pediatric congenital heart surgery at UVA. Along with Dr. Ellis, Drs. Smith and Gangemi laid out a couple of options for Chevaughn. They could monitor his heart with regular testing, or he could have surgery for a permanent repair. It was a surgery Drs. Smith and Gangemi had performed many times before. Although they couldn’t promise Chevaughn that his chest pain would completely disappear, the repair would stop his heart from growing any larger. Without surgical intervention, he could develop dangerous complications including arrhythmias and pulmonary hypertension. Although Chevaughn was frightened by the idea of having surgery, he ultimately felt it was the best decision
WRITTEN BY Alice Warchol • PHOTOGRAPHY BY Susan Lowe
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Until severe chest pain led him to CHKD’s Heart Center, Chevaughn Griffiths lived 24 years without knowing he was born with an abnormality in his heart.
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“I would give them a 10 out of 10. CHKD has been so wonderful to me.” Chevaughn Griffiths
for him. “The doctors were very informative,” he says. “I really appreciate that they gave me enough independence and the freedom to choose. I’m so thankful CHKD took me in.” Helping patients understand their treatment options so they feel at ease is part of the signature care that’s provided at CHKD’s Heart Center. “Everybody comes in afraid and unsure of who they can trust,” says Dr. Smith. “Our job as providers is first, to build trust; second, to address their fears; and ultimately, to provide effective treatment. If they leave with a positive experience, we’ve accomplished all the things that are necessary for success.” By the time Chevaughn’s surgery was scheduled on March 23, 2021, he was having chest pains every day, sometimes twice a day. “Whenever they happened, if I moved, it made the pain worse,” he says. “It felt like someone was stabbing my heart with a very sharp knife.” When he checked in on his surgery day, the atmosphere at CHKD immediately helped calm his nerves. He especially got a kick out of being able to choose a flavor for his
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anesthesia. “I chose bubble gum,” Chevaughn says with a laugh. “Being at CHKD really brought out the kid in me. It made me feel comfortable and took away from my anxiety.” During the procedure, Drs. Smith and Gangemi used a patch to redirect the blood that was flowing to the wrong chamber of Chevaughn’s heart. The procedure took about three hours. When it was time for Chevaughn to wake up from anesthesia, a team of nurses sang songs with him from one of his favorite artists, Drake. “They did everything they could to keep me in good spirits,” Chevaughn says. “I love my team of nurses.” And, to his relief, he’s only had chest pains once since his recovery. “In Chevaughn’s case, this will represent a lifechanging operation,” says Dr. Smith. “We were able to give him a complete repair.” Chevaughn couldn’t be happier with his decision to seek treatment and have his surgery at CHKD’s Heart Center. “I would give them a 10 out of 10,” he says. “CHKD has been so wonderful to me.”
Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program
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hanks to dramatic advancements in medical and surgical care over the last several decades, most children born with congenital heart defects are now living well into adulthood. In fact, over 90 percent of all babies born today with congenital cardiac disease can expect to reach adulthood, despite the severity of their heart conditions. “From a surgical standpoint, we’re getting better at what we do,” says Dr. James Gangemi, surgical director of the Virginia Congenital Cardiac Collaborative, established by CHKD and the University of Virginia. Gangemi also serves as surgical director of pediatric congenital heart surgery at CHKD and UVA. “Patients are living a lot longer than back in the day, and the treatment of adults with congenital heart disease is a growing need.” While adult cardiologists and cardiac surgeons primarily treat structurally-normal hearts that have become diseased over time, the pediatric and congenital cardiologists and cardiac surgeons at CHKD have special expertise in treating malformations that were present from birth. The availability of this specialized care benefits patients of all ages who suffer from congenital heart disease.
Recognizing the increasing need for adult care, congenital cardiologist Dr. Alexander Ellis established the adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) program at CHKD in 2007. This growing program is now served by Dr. Ellis and Dr. Lopa Hartke, both board certified in pediatric cardiology, adult congenital heart disease, internal medicine, and pediatrics. They work with cardiac sonographers, primary care doctors, obstetricians, and adult cardiologists from around the region to create distinct treatment plans for ACHD patients. Nearly 500 patients are closely followed through CHKD’s Heart Center, diagnostic imaging facilities, and cardiac catheterization or electrophysiology labs. Some may also undergo cardiac surgery at CHKD. “While we have made tremendous strides in our care of children with congenital heart disease, most of what we do is still not a cure,” says Dr. Ellis. “As these patients become adults, they continue to require ongoing treatment, including medical management, imaging, and subsequent cardiac procedures. That is why our comprehensive ACHD program is so vital.”
For more information on CHKD’s Heart Center and aspects of the cardiac care program, visit CHKD.org/HeartCenter.
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As he continues to recover from his own cancer treatment, Sam proves philanthropy is fun and raises thousands for CHKD patients and their families.
Thirteen-year-old patient leads fundraiser for his friends at CHKD hen Sam Sachs was hospitalized at CHKD for leukemia at age 11, he realized how fortunate he was to have his parents, Jenny and Matthew, with him all the time. He met many children whose parents had to work or care for siblings at home. It bothered Sam to see children in the hospital without their parents because he knew how much he relied on his mom and dad for emotional support every day. Sam knew that when his cancer treatment was over, he wanted to find a way to help other families. It didn’t take long. Less than six months after finishing treatment, Sam and his family have raised nearly $90,000 to help those who have a child in the hospital. “I hope these funds will help when parents want to be in the hospital with their kids, but they’re facing obstacles,” Sam says. “It just makes treatment a little easier for everyone. I feel like if you don’t have someone there to cheer you on and go through it all with you, you kind of lose the will to fight.” Sam’s battle with cancer began in October of 2020 when his parents noticed changes in their normally energetic, competitive tennis player. Sam seemed unusually tired. He had also lost weight. His pediatrician ordered bloodwork to see if it could offer any clues. Just a few hours later, the Sachs family was on the way to the emergency department at CHKD where they
learned that Sam had T-cell leukemia and a mass in his lungs, close to his heart. He was immediately admitted to the hospital for treatment. A week later, to everyone’s relief, Sam’s mass was barely visible. Over the next year, Sam returned to CHKD several more times for additional treatments. His desire and determination to help other families grew with each hospital stay.
Sam knew that when his cancer treatment was over, he wanted to find a way to help other families. To inspire people to give and to have fun while doing it, the Sachs family launched a website called SamsWarriors.org, which encourages people to donate and participate in a “pie face” video challenge where friends and family members push plates of whipped cream into each other’s faces. Today, Sam is back in school and focused on getting stronger. The Sachs family says they are incredibly thankful for Sam’s recovery, the staff at CHKD, and everyone who has donated so far to Sam’s Warriors. “It makes me feel really good,” Sam says. “I know I’m really helping people.”
WRITTEN BY Alice Warchol • PHOTOGRAPH BY Susan Lowe
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Calendar Upcoming events and educational opportunities for Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters
Fundraising Events Visit CHKD.org/Giving or call (757) 668-7070. Dairy Queen Campaign & Miracle Treat Day Now – Thursday, July 28 Support CHKD by rounding up or purchasing a miracle balloon when you visit participating locations. Then, treat yourself with a Blizzard on July 28 for Miracle Treat Day. Local DQs will donate $1 per Blizzard sold that day. All funds raised benefit CHKD.
The King’s Daughters Events Visit KingsDaughters.org for information. RunWalk for the Kids Saturday, May 14 Celebrate with us at the 16th RunWalk for the Kids to benefit CHKD’s mental health program. Participate in the 8K run, 2-mile Family Walk, or virtual options. Enjoy family activities, music, vendor booths, and finisher medals for everyone. Register online at RunWalkForTheKids.org. Blooms of Hope Thursday, May 19, 6–8:30 p.m. Join us at IPConfigure, a veteran-owned software company in Norfolk, for an exclusive art event featuring a silent auction of floral-inspired Tom Barnes originals, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a raffle, and music by Lewis McGehee.
Costco Register Campaign Sunday, May 1 – Tuesday, May 31 During Costco’s annual register campaign in the month of May, members are invited to support CHKD and donate at the time of check out, through self-checkout registers, in the food court, and on Costco.com. A portion of donations will be matched by Costco.
Your Baby Newborn care and development information presented by CHKD’s pediatric providers. Visit CHKD.org/Classes for dates, times, and to register. For information on selecting a doctor, visit CHKD.org/SelectingADoctor. Welcome, Baby! Learn about basic newborn care including topics such as immunizations, breastfeeding, bathing, sleep safety, and more. There will also be an opportunity to meet the providers, tour the office, and ask questions. Suffolk Pediatrics Meet and Greet/Open House New and expectant parents – or families new to the area – are invited to tour the office and ask questions. Chesapeake Pediatrics Pediatric Associates of Williamsburg
Publix Campaign Wednesday, June 1 – Sunday, June 12 Support the kids at CHKD while shopping at Publix stores in Williamsburg and Kill Devil Hills, NC, during their in-store coupon campaign. Purchase a Publix coupon and funds will be donated to CHKD. Walmart and Sam’s Club Campaign Monday, June 13 – Sunday, July 10 Donate during Walmart and Sam’s Club’s annual fundraising campaign at the register or through an in-store fundraising activity. All funds raised benefit CHKD.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION Mental Wellness Education Register at CHKD.org/Classes CHKD and The Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation are joining forces to help our community recognize and talk about mental health struggles. We All Have Mental Health – A Program for Teens & Parents Tuesday, May 17, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Both parents and teens are encouraged to sign up for this one-hour program that focuses on coping mechanisms, stigma, anxiety, and depression, and how to get help for yourself or a friend who may be suffering in silence. This program depicts experiences with mental health challenges using a combination of video, presentation slides, and discussion.
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QPR – Suicide Prevention Training Tuesday, May 24, 6:30–8 p.m. Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) virtual training, offered free to anyone ages 16 and older, empowers parents, youth workers, teachers, coaches, and other professionals to help prevent suicide in our community. Learn to recognize the warning signs, how to intervene, and where to refer someone who is in crisis. Ask a question, save a life.
FEATURED WORKSHOP
WEBINARS FOR PARENTS and PROFESSIONALS
Register at CHKD.org/Classes
Your Child CHKD’s parenting experts offer webinars and workshops on a wide range of topics to help you understand and connect with your child. Visit CHKD.org/Classes to register for programs or view popular webinars on demand. To check out other online parent resources at your convenience, visit CHKD.org/ParentingResources. Positive Discipline (ages 5–12) Get to the core of misbehavior and help your child succeed. Positive Discipline offers techniques that work to establish strong relationships and responsible, thoughtful children. Tuesday, May 3, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Children and Stress Understand what stress is and how it affects children. Consider strategies for helping your child cope with common stressful situations and experiences. Learn effective ways to lessen tension, increase cooperation, and support development. Wednesday, May 11, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Children, Separation, and Divorce Learn the impact of separation and divorce on children. Consider how to have difficult conversations with your children while honoring their feelings and building their coping capacity. Wednesday, June 29, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Dads in Action Five Minute Fatherhood Talks – ON DEMAND! Being a Dad is an important job, and these five-minute talks by CHKD fatherhood consultant Z. Andrew Jatau, LPC, will help you build your confidence and connect with your kids. Explore all our Fatherhood Talks topics and listen on demand at CHKD.org/DadsinAction.
SAVE THE DATE Understanding Anger in Children (ages 6–12) Understand the causes of anger, how to anticipate and defuse angry outbursts, and how to help children manage their emotions. Wednesday, May 18, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Trauma and Resilience Traumatic and life-altering events affect many aspects of a child’s development. Learn about symptoms of trauma in children, how to respond appropriately to help a child overcome challenges, and how to help them develop resilience. Wednesday, June 1, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Focus on HOPE for Our Children, Families, and Communities Friday, June 24, Noon–1:15 p.m. Research shows key positive childhood experiences can prevent and mitigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress. At this presentation for parents and professionals, participants will learn about the four building blocks of HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) and how to begin incorporating the HOPE framework into their own families or their work with families. Learn more and register at CHKD.org/Classes.
Why is My Child in Charge? Tuesday, April 26, 6–7 p.m. Through collaboration with hundreds of parents over the past 30-plus years, nationally recognized child development and parenting expert Claire Lerner has identified eight mindsets that present obstacles to parents who want to respond to their children in the most loving and effective way during difficult moments. This workshop, led by Lerner and based on her 2021 book that shares the same title, will help participants become aware of these mindsets and feel empowered to make critical mind shifts, respond with sensitivity, and teach a child to cope with life’s inevitable challenges.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Youth Suicide Risk and Prevention Conference: Bringing Support, Care, and Hope to Our Children Thursday, May 5, and Friday, May 6, 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Join us for this two-day virtual conference in partnership with The Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation, National Alliance on Mental Illness, The Chas Foundation, and Old Dominion University. There will be two tracks, one for the community (May 5) and one for clinicians (May 6). All registrants can attend both tracks at no additional cost. Topics for clinicians include: • Sleep interventions for youth • Substance use and suicide • Youth suicide in a diverse population • Nonsuicidal self-injury • Prevention and population health strategies Topics for community professionals and families: • QPR – Question, Persuade, and Refer training • Moving forward after a child attempts suicide • School suicide program and resources • Overdose and the substance use crisis • Social media and mental health in youth CME and CEUs available. Fee: $25 (nonrefundable) Register at CHKD.org/CME.
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Making a Difference Individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout the community hold campaigns to support the children at CHKD. Here’s a look at some of our all-star supporters.
Bank of America presented a $1 million gift to support CHKD’s Lighting the Way campaign for mental health, matching its largest-ever donation in the Hampton Roads region. Pictured (from left) are CHKD’s Katie Fletcher, Dr. Mary Margaret Gleason, and Amy Sampson; Bank of America’s Charlie Henderson and Frank Castellanos; CHKD President and CEO Jim Dahling; Hans Vonkruger and Leslie Doyle of Bank of America; and Justin Fulton of Merrill/Bank of America.
OVM Financial’s charitable organization, OVM’s Legum Legacy, recently raised $25,000 for CHKD’s cancer program at their inaugural golf tournament at Princess Anne Country Club. Chairman Chip Simkins and CEO Adam Newman present the donation to CHKD’s Lauren Kiger (center). The organization has also pledged $100,000 to CHKD’s Lighting the Way campaign for mental health in recent months.
The Virginia Peninsula Car Club Council raised $15,000 for CHKD during its 19th annual Virginia Fall Classic car show last fall. Council members Marci Hunt, Doug Sample, and Jay Laros present the check at CHKD Health and Surgery Center at Oyster Point in Newport News, which benefits from the event every year.
Bronco Federal Credit Union’s Holly Ledbetter and Brian Hedgepeth present CHKD’s Kate Ryan (center) with a $30,317.67 donation, which was raised from their annual golf tournament to benefit CHKD. This year, Bronco Federal Credit Union will be organizing its 25th annual event.
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Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters
L.A. Dodgers player and Virginia Beach native Chris Taylor gives an interview during his inaugural Driving for Hope charity event at Top Golf in January. Taylor and his CT3 Foundation raised over $120,000 for CHKD and the Roc Solid Foundation to support children affected by cancer.
Development Boards (As of February 2022)
Development Advisory Board Deb Vollmer, Chair Jamie Brookover
Sean Meehan
Todd Copeland
Richard Meredith Jr.
Edward Deets
Hon. Eileen Olds
Pace Edwards
Stephen E. Sigmon
Tawana Fortune
Andrea Vail
Stephen A. Leon
Rolf A. Williams
Brad Martin
Bennett Zier
Future Generations Board Cameron Reeves Poynter, Chair Ashley Bussey
Kelsey Mohring
Dennis Cestra Jr.
Ashley Nimitz
Cynthia Chaing
David Poteran
Billy Chard
Amy Przymuzala
Carolyn Cooper Crutchfield
Jennifer Rahne
Katie Denton
Shikma Rubin
Matt Fanghella
Will Russell
Nate Fine
Leah Swatts
Jason Friedman
Virginia Thornton
Katherine Hines
Jill K. Wainger
Jill King
Lee Westnedge
Ryan King
J. Britton Williston
Stephen Klimkiewicz
Katherine Wynne
Thomas McCarthy
Friends of the Child Advocacy Center Warren Aleck
Ken B. Shewbridge
Sarah Bishop
Gay W. Shulman
L. Ashley Brooks
Lisa Smith
Jean Compton
Lawrence Steingold
Scott Duncan
Lydia C. Taylor
Sandra Harrison
Sandra Warden
Lynn Hornsby
Dorothy Winn
Maureen E. Olivieri
Judi Worley
Solon E. Paul
Nancy Yokois, MD
Jim Schneider
Please Consider Investing in Our Children CHKD’s important work can only happen with your support. Below are some ways you can help. Outright gifts. Contributions by check, credit card, or stock. Give using the enclosed envelope or visit CHKD.org/Donate. Matching gifts. Many companies and foundations will match the value of charitable gifts made by employees and their spouses, board members, and retirees. Visit CHKD.org/support-us/matching-gifts. Endowment funds. These investments provide ongoing, perpetual funding to ensure the longevity of our programs. Planned and legacy gifts. Often made as part of the estate planning process, legacy gifts can provide future philanthropic support for CHKD, a current income for you or others, and a meaningful income tax deduction. Learn more at CHKD.org/Legacy. Fundraising. Dedicate your next event, birthday, holiday, or special occasion to CHKD – start your fundraiser at CHKDdonate.org. To learn more and find additional ways to help, visit CHKD.org/Giving or call (757) 668-7070.
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NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID CHKD
601 Children’s Lane • Norfolk, VA 23507
REGISTER NOW!
16th CHKD RunWalk for the Kids Join us for family-friendly fun at The King’s Daughters’ annual RunWalk for the Kids to benefit CHKD!
Saturday, May 14 Waterside District in Norfolk
The fun begins at 7 a.m. Participate in the 8K run or 2-mile Family Walk and receive a finisher medal and official RunWalk for the Kids goody bag. Plus, enjoy activities, music, and vendor booths. Visit RunWalkforTheKids.org to register for the race, volunteer, or start fundraising. RunWalk for the Kids supports CHKD’s mental health initiative. Register now and help CHKD build a better future for all children.
RunWalkForTheKids.org • Facebook.com/RunWalkForTheKids
