As we say goodbye to 2017 and prepare for an exciting new year, here’s a quick look back at some of the most memorable things that happened at CHKD this year.

We became a Level 1 pediatric trauma center

In September, CHKD earned provisional status as a Level I pediatric trauma center—the only one in eastern Virginia. This means that CHKD meets the criteria for the highest level of multidisciplinary trauma care, and kids with the most serious traumatic injuries can be transported directly to CHKD. In the past, these young trauma patients were taken to adult trauma centers first before coming to CHKD. Learn more about our trauma care services here.

CHKD and UVA formed a network to enhance pediatric care in Virginia

CHKD and University of Virginia Children’s Hospital announced plans to establish a clinically integrated network (CIN) dedicated exclusively to improving children’s health. As the first pediatric-only CIN in Virginia, the CHKD-UVA partnership will initially serve children throughout greater Hampton Roads and Charlottesville and its neighboring counties.

We created a new inpatient unit and began offering new technologies

A new 8-bed inpatient unit for neuroscience patients opened at the hospital this year. The neuroscience unit provides care and monitoring to neurology, neurosurgery and epilepsy patients and features four video EEG rooms with state-of-the-art equipment.

This year, CHKD also brought EOS X-ray imaging to Hampton Roads. The EOS imaging system is a groundbreaking X-ray system that uses an ultra-low dose of radiation to provide detailed, high-quality skeletal images. Based on Nobel prize-winning technology, the EOS substantially reduces the amount of radiation received during a single imaging procedure.

Local artists created colorful murals for CHKD

Local artists Ryan McGinness and Troy Summerell (aka OnieTonie) shared their talents with CHKD visitors by adding original works of art to our new Health Center and Urgent Care at Landstown. Research shows that art in the healthcare setting can help patients heal, lower blood pressure and ease anxiety and pain.

The King’s Daughters pledged $1 million to pediatric behavioral health

CHKD's behavioral health program is being expanded to meet a significant and growing need in our community. Over the past ten years, the number of patients admitted to children's hospitals for suicidal thoughts or self-harm has more than doubled, and more American children die from suicide than from cancer, cardiovascular disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke and chronic lung disease combined. Additional funds from The King's Daughters will enable CHKD’s behavioral health program to help more children in need.  

We opened new locations

CHKD’s newest urgent care opened this fall, located at  Landstown Centre Way in Virginia Beach. The center is open weekdays from 4 to 11 p.m. CHKD currently operates four urgent care centers that are just for kids with locations in Newport News, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.

The CHKD Health Center at Lightfoot in Williamsburg opened this year. Services offered at the new health center include: cardiology, nephrology, pediatric and adolescent gynecology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, sports medicine physical therapy and urology.

We had many special visitors

This year, singer/songwriter Phillip Phillips, race car driver Mady Ryan, NFL quarterback Taylor Heinicke and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels all stopped by to visit with CHKD patients. Kids were also surprised to see Superman and his superhero friends washing the windows at CHKD.

Dr. Ralph Northam was elected governor of Virginia

CHKD’s own Dr. Ralph Northam was elected governor of Virginia. For the past quarter century, Dr. Northam has served his community as a pediatric neurologist at CHKD. Now, he will serve the great Commonwealth of Virginia.

2017 was full of significant milestones, important collaborations and many special moments at CHKD. Subscribe to our blog to keep up with the latest news in the coming year. 

About Caroline Campbell

Prior to joining CHKD as a physician liaison, Campbell worked for four years as an exercise physiologist and business development manager for NovaCare Rehabilitation and was responsible for outpatient physical therapy facilities in Delaware, Maryland, Southeast Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. She has a Bachelors of Science degree in exercise science from the University of Delaware, with a concentration in kinesiology and applied physiology and a minor in Spanish.