Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters

Congratulations to #CHKD Director of Pharmacy Nikolaus (Nik) Lawson, who was recently appointed president-elect of the Virginia Society of Health-System Pharmacists (VSHP) for the #Tidewater region. The mission of VSHP is to inspire innovative pharmacy practice by promoting education, advocacy, and collaboration to help people achieve optimal health outcomes. Upon his election, Nikolaus shared, “I am excited to give back to the pharmacy profession and advocate for practices across the state. As region president-elect of VSHP and a representative of CHKD, I hope to highlight the importance of pediatric pharmacy practice and collaborate on regional initiatives with pediatric pharmacy leaders throughout Virginia.” Congratulations, Nik! #Pharmacy #VSHP #PediatricPharmacy

Join us as we welcome Angela Marko, MD, to the Pulmonology practice at #CHKD. Dr. Marko has an interest in asthma and severe asthma management, as well as asthma quality improvement work. She also treats patients who have conditions such as chronic cough, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, recurrent pneumonia, and other chronic lung diseases. Learn more about Dr. Marko at bit.ly/4eF4IOp. #Asthma #Pulmonology #Pediatrics

Congratulations to #CHKD's 2024 Health Care Heroes, named by Inside Business, who work so hard to make life better for our patients and community! This year's winners are Dr. Wilson File, pediatric hematologist and oncologist, and chief of pediatrics at CHKD; Dr. Robert Obermeyer, a pediatric surgeon for more than 20 years, and chief of surgery at CHKD; and the CHKD Safer Futures Program, consisting of Kamron Blue, Program Coordinator, and Vickie Madison, Clinical Case Manager. Read more from The Virginian-Pilot at bit.ly/4cwmpxy.

CHKD is proud to be the career home to many incredible individuals in the LGBTQIA community, like #CHKD chaplain Kit Tate. Kit recently shared a story about CHKD’s Day Surgery nurses, who took the initiative to order rainbow pronoun badge buddies to be more welcoming and affirming to #LGBTQ patients and families. “They recognized the unique challenges faced by our queer patients. They are deliberate in making sure that patient’s preferred names are used and that patients are not misgendered,” said Kit. “The nurses also do a terrific job in educating the providers before they go into a patient’s room to ensure they do the same.” For Kit, celebrating #pride is more than a month on a calendar. “Pride is hope, visibility, affirmation, and the releasing of shame,” she says. “Pride is sanctuary, it is a place where everyone is able to be fully themselves, to be the unique person they are, whoever that may be.” #PrideMonth

#CHKD is the first in the nation to receive the DNV Advanced Pediatric Spine Certification! 🏆 Hear from Dr. Carl St. Remy, chief of orthopedics and director of the pediatric spine program at CHKD, about why this is important to patient families, and what we are doing for our community moving forward. #Orthopedics #ScoliosisAwarenessMonth

Ashley Koto, a talented physical therapist and athletic trainer at #CHKD, will join the Women's National Gymnastics Team later this month as they travel to Paris for the Olympics. She will help the alternate gymnasts maintain their peak performance in the weeks leading up to the Olympics. Read more about Ashley's journey to France in the WAVY-TV 10 story here: bit.ly/3VAfJb1. Way to go, Ashley! #TeamCHKD is rooting for #TeamUSA!

CHKD is proud to be the career home to many incredible individuals in the LGBTQIA community. #CHKD Mental Health Coach Nyonna Byers identifies as a transgender woman of color, and is passionate about supporting transgender youth during their transition. Whether advocating for legal change, or creating safe spaces to promote better physical and mental health, Nyonna is breaking down barriers for the transgender community. “Providing a safe haven for trans youth is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my job as a mental health coach at Children’s Pavilion,” said Nyonna. #PrideMonth #TeamCHKD #LGBTQIA

A message from CHKD President and CEO, Amy Sampson: June 19. It is not just any other day on the calendar. It is Juneteenth. It is a day when we remember, when we honor, when we learn, and when we reflect. On this day in 1865, 250,000 African Americans still enslaved in Texas finally heard the news that they were free. To put this in perspective, this news came two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln pronouncing that all enslaved people were legally free. On June 19, 1865, when U.S. troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas they announced the following: “The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.”           The celebration of this news became known as Juneteenth, and while commemorations were held throughout the ensuing decades in communities across the country, it wasn’t until 1980 that Texas became the first state to designate it as an official holiday. In 2021, it was finally established as a federal holiday. As CEO of this great organization, I value opportunities like these to acknowledge and understand our shared history so that together we can create our shared vision for the future. Whether we are celebrating Pride Month or Juneteenth, whether we are honoring those who have served to protect our freedoms, whether we are acknowledging great tragedies that have stricken our community or our nation, I believe that we all have an important role and a unique responsibility to ensure equity, justice and understanding for all. I hope you will join me in committing to continual learning, understanding and growth. If you have the opportunity, please consider participating in our “Culture of Excellence DEI-B Learning Series” monthly discussions or in accessing resources provided by our Councils available on KDnet or in engaging in self-learning. As we live out our mission of Health, Healing, and Hope for All Children, I thank you all for recognizing and embracing the power of our diversity.   Amy Sampson CHKD President and CEO

For a local parent with two children unexpectedly hospitalized with pneumonia just nine days apart, it was the compassionate care of Drew Kee, a #CHKD resource pool nurse, that made all the difference. The parent, so moved by the experience, nominated Drew for a #DAISYAward.   “Drew's care was outstanding; she was patient and attentive to both of my kids, addressing their needs with a demeanor that was both calm and compassionate. Drew delivered consistent, considerate care to each of my children, tailoring her approach to their unique reactions to their illnesses and treatments, all while maintaining a reassuring presence. Her attentiveness extended beyond medical care, providing comfort and understanding, acknowledging the stress and worry that accompany a child's stay in the hospital.” Read the full DAISY nomination here: https://lnkd.in/eG-CC2qs.   Thank you, Drew, for providing compassionate, individualized care for our patients and families! #HealthHealingHope #Nursing #Pediatrics

Mark your calendars! 📆 Thursday, June 20, is Dunkin' Iced Coffee Day! Kick off the first day of summer by making a difference. 🎉 During this special event, $1 from every iced coffee sold locally will be donated to the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation to #bringjoy to kids at CHKD. 🧡