Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters

In recognition of their outstanding patient care, #CHKD's inpatient med psych unit 7D was recently honored with a DAISY Team Award! "The 7D team ensures that they provide safe, age-appropriate, trauma-informed, respectful [mental health] care to every patient who comes to their unit, regardless of diagnosis," the nomination letter read. "7D is a new unit that was built from the ground up, and these staff members have risen to the challenges they have faced with passion and resilience." Pictured from left to right are some of the 7D team: Leeanne McDonald, Christle Ann De Vera, Joseph Torres, Ritika Kaloji, Evelyn Robins, Madison Elliott, and Rachel Andam-Mejia. Congratulations to all! Read the nomination letter at https://lnkd.in/enFnGDc3. #DAISYAward #MentalHealthCare #Pediatrics

Get to know Tracy Moore, a surgical scheduling coordinator at #CHKD’s Cleft and Craniofacial Center in Norfolk, and the important work she’s doing for patients and families in her Q&A below! #TeamCHKD #CleftAndCraniofacialAwarenessMonth #Cleft #Craniofacial #SurgicalScheduling #Pediatrics 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐇𝐊𝐃? My career with CHKD began in July 2010 in the PICU. In November 2014, I transferred to plastic and oral maxillofacial surgery, which services CHKD's Cleft and Craniofacial Center. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝? I always knew I wanted to work in the medical field, but after my daughter required surgery and hospitalization at CHKD at just 3 months old, my career seemed to have designed itself. While she was hospitalized, I observed how compassionate the staff was and the relationships they forged with patients and families. It was then that I knew I wanted to work somewhere I could make families going through similar hardships feel as supported as I did. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧/𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭/𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬? As a scheduler and a mom who had a child undergo a difficult surgery and recovery, I find that understanding the treatment timelines for the various conditions we treat is vital to being a successful surgical scheduler. Conditions of varying degrees drastically change the treatment plan, with some treatments continuing in phases well into the child's late teens and early 20s. By staying educated, I provide compassionate, quality care so parents feel heard and understood while discussing scheduling. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝? People who feel called to work with children need to understand that it isn't just a job; it should be your passion. If you put your heart into it, it is one of the most rewarding careers. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐇𝐊𝐃? Walking with patient families over the years and creating long-term relationships has been a privilege and will always hold a huge piece of my heart. These relationships start from diagnosis and extend through the end of treatment, which can take years. Working with a team of like-hearted individuals is also an incredible experience, and I am blessed to work with some of the best! It is also a privilege to work beside some of the leading plastic and craniofacial surgeons. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞? My children are all grown, but I have no grandchildren yet, so I take advantage of the time and work on my house—finding a new DIY is my favorite thing.  

Did you know that The City of Virginia Beach recently proclaimed July as “Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month” in Virginia Beach? On July 2, members of #CHKD's Cleft and Craniofacial Center were proud to witness this special announcement by Mayor Bobby Dyer, as he called upon citizens to support the local children, families, and organizations navigating this diagnosis and treatment. We appreciate this recognition and support! #ThankfulTuesday

Great news for families battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy! The FDA recently expanded its approval of Elevidys, a potentially life-saving treatment, to include children ages 4 and older, regardless of their ambulatory status. Dr. Crystal Proud, a neuromuscular neurologist at #CHKD, lauded the FDA’s announcement to make Elevidys available to additional patients. “It’s hard to put into words what a difference gene therapy has made for my families and for my patients – especially in the world of Duchenne where there has been so much hope for so long,” Proud said. “We look forward to helping more children with this groundbreaking treatment.” Since its approval, CHKD has administered Elevidys to 26 children from Virginia and beyond. Visit CHKD.org/GeneTherapy to learn more or call us to request more information and a consultation.

As an active-duty Navy spouse, #CHKD Cardiac Sonographer Brittany Carr is no stranger to cross-country moves. Originally from New York, the Navy has led the Carrs to Texas, California, Florida, and now Virginia. It was up to Brittany to hold down the fort for their family during her husband's recent deployment, but the CHKD Cardiology department where she works was ready to help. "Being a working mom of two littles during a deployment was not easy, but my work family helped me get through it and were supportive every step of the way," said Brittany. As the Carrs await new orders, Brittany hopes to stay in Virginia and continue working at CHKD. We've got our fingers crossed, too! Thank you, Carr family, for the many sacrifices you make in service of your country. Your experience inspires us all to be better citizens and supporters of our local military families! #TeamCHKD #NavySpouse #PediatricCardiacSonographer #CardiacSonographer #Pediatrics

Join us as we welcome Rachel McClanahan, NP, to Pediatric Partners of Hampton Roads, a #CHKD Medical Group practice. Rachel is a pediatric nurse practitioner who has a passion for newborn care, childhood development, parent education, and breastfeeding support. Rachel loves working with children, and is grateful to have the opportunity to form lasting relationships with her patients and their families. Visit bit.ly/4cGkzuA to learn more about Rachel. #NursePractitioner

Get to know Ashley Wykle, a speech pathologist at #CHKD’s Cleft and Craniofacial Center in Norfolk, and the important work she’s doing for patients and families in her Q&A below! #TeamCHKD #CleftAndCraniofacialAwarenessMonth #Cleft #Craniofacial #SpeechPathologist 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐇𝐊𝐃? My CHKD career began when I completed an acute care graduate externship, followed by a fellowship year in 2006. I spent eight years working in CHKD's inpatient and outpatient settings before transitioning to the school system and later ODU. In 2022, I returned to CHKD.   𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝? As an undergrad, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. I chose speech pathology because of my desire to help improve the lives of others facing difficult diagnoses and for the hands-on role therapists play in patient care across the lifespan.   𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧/𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭/𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬? As a craniofacial SLP, I consult with families prenatally following cleft diagnosis. Families work closely with our team in the early weeks and months following birth to assist infant feeding and growth. I track milestones, provide developmental guidance, evaluate and treat speech and resonance disorders, and collaborate with community SLPs in patient care. I also assist our surgeons in determining when surgery is needed to improve speech production, with ongoing care provided into adolescence.   𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝? I advise anyone entering the field of speech-language pathology to observe therapists in as many settings as possible—vary your clinical experience and choose opportunities outside of your comfort zone. Take time to learn from providers in other specialties working closely with SLPs, as this can make you a better practitioner.   𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐇𝐊𝐃? The wonderful people and the variety of work—the team approach creates many opportunities for learning. Working with patients to meet specific goals that will improve their ability to participate in life can be very rewarding, whether learning to feed safely or producing speech without errors.   𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞? My perfect weekend would start with a coffee date and walk in the early morning sun, followed by something fun and adventurous with my family. Relaxing outside in the evening with good food, a fire, and music is always a great way to end the day.

Bank of America is helping #CHKD drive our mission of Health, Healing, and Hope for All Children forward. We’re so grateful for their commitment to helping us serve children and families throughout Hampton Roads with a gift to support our mental health program and our social work services at CHKD’s General Academic Pediatrics, which is located in Children's Pavilion and shown here. Thank you, Bank of America, for your long-standing partnership to help ensure the health and well-being of our region’s children. #BofAGrants #BringHope

After five busy years as a Navy spouse, #CHKD Child Life Specialist Alyssia Smoes-Land knows a thing or two about embracing the challenges of military life. Engaged and nearly done with graduate school, Alyssia supported her then-fiancé, Erik, as he joined the U.S. Navy in 2019. The duo sped up their wedding plans and were married later that year before moving to South Carolina in early 2020. They were in for constant change over the next few years between boot camp, a pandemic, additional schooling for Erik’s job as a nuclear electronics technician, and a move to Virginia. Once stationed in Hampton Roads, Alyssia began volunteering with CHKD's Integrative Care department where it didn't take long for her to become a full-time child life specialist. Alyssia’s been an integral member of #TeamCHKD for two years! Her husband serves on the USS Helena, a nuclear submarine currently on its way to Washington to be decommissioned. During this time, they’ll have to be apart for 14 months. “This next year will be our most challenging with having to do long distance, and we are not looking forward to it,” Alyssia shared. Thankfully, she has support. “The Navy has helped me meet some of the best people - due to moving around - and for that I am forever grateful.” Thank you, Alyssia and Erik, for the many sacrifices you make in service of your country and for sharing your story. Your experience inspires us all to be better citizens and supporters of our local military families! #ChildLifeSpecialist #NavySpouse