At a recent CHKD Provider Relations CME Lunch & Learn, Dr. Janelle Fox, chief of pediatric urology, highlighted the critical importance of early recognition and rapid treatment of testicular torsion.

Delayed presentation remains the strongest predictor of orchiectomy, with significantly higher rates of testicular loss in patients presenting more than 24 hours after symptom onset. CHKD data suggest that the incidence of pediatric testicular torsion in Hampton Roads may be higher than national estimates, underscoring the importance of regional awareness and early recognition.

Factors associated with delayed care include initial presentation outside the emergency department, Medicaid status, neurocognitive conditions, and greater distance from CHKD.

Clinical Guidance

Acute scrotal pain should be treated as an emergency requiring immediate evaluation and referral.

Ongoing collaboration between community providers, emergency departments, and CHKD is essential to reducing delays and improving outcomes. Early recognition and rapid escalation of care remain the most effective strategies to preserve testicular viability.

Patient Education Videos to Share

Please share these videos with your patients for brief, kid-friendly videos on testicular torsion awareness and testicular self-exams. These resources support early recognition and timely care by reinforcing education outside the office visit.

CHKD’s Urgent Care at Tech Center will be temporarily closed from May 20 through May 24 for a floor replacement project.

During this time, our radiology equipment will also begin an 8-9 week upgrade. As a result, outpatient radiology services will be unavailable at CHKD’s Urgent Care at Tech Center throughout the duration of the upgrade. The upgrade is expected to last through the end of July, however a firm completion date has not yet been determined. We will provide updates as they become available.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make these improvements to better serve our patients and families.

CHKD surgeons are celebrating a significant surgical milestone with the completion of more than 100 robotic‑assisted procedures using the da Vinci system. Since launching the program in 2023, robotic-assisted surgery at CHKD has expanded steadily, reflecting the organization’s commitment to innovation, precision, and high‑quality pediatric surgical care. As a Level I Children’s Surgery Center, CHKD continues to advance minimally invasive techniques while maintaining the highest standards for safety, outcomes, and surgical training.

A recent study of elite U.S. high school basketball players, co‑authored by Dr. Joel Brenner, medical director of CHKD’s Sports Medicine Program, found that early sport specialization is not a prerequisite for reaching the NBA. Athletes who went on to sign NBA contracts typically specialized in basketball later, participated in multiple sports during childhood, logged less overall basketball volume, and experienced fewer severe injuries after age 14 than similarly talented peers. Greater academic and family stability also emerged as a common factor. The findings reinforce growing sports medicine evidence that multisport participation, appropriate training volume, injury prevention, and overall well‑being are key contributors to long‑term athletic success. Read more >

Congratulations to Dr. Cristina Baldassari, pediatric otolaryngologist at CHKD, on receiving the 2026 Dean’s Faculty Award for Mentoring from Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University. This honor recognizes faculty who excel in education, research, and patient care while positively impacting the Hampton Roads community. Way to go, Dr. Baldassari! Thank you for your continued dedication.

Friday, May 29, 2026 | 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Waitzer Hall

The CHKD Pediatric Trauma Conference is a one-day accredited pediatric course that is designed to provide knowledge and skills related to pediatric trauma from content experts. In addition, we seek to enhance our community and pediatric colleagues’ ability to manage pediatric trauma cases. We will provide presentations on pediatric trauma along with structured didactic sessions to support comprehensive learning. The conference will provide various learning methodologies presented by experts in the areas of pediatric trauma.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual

Presenter: Eric Engstrom, MD, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, CHKD

This CHKD Provider Relation CME Lunch & Learn session reviews the history of vaccine development and implementation, outlines the fundamentals of vaccine development and regulatory requirements, and examines the overall impact of vaccines on public health. It also highlights recent changes to vaccination recommendations and addresses common parental questions and concerns.

Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual

Presenter: Tracy Alderson, MD, Pediatric Cardiology at CHKD

This CHKD Provider Relation CME Lunch & Learn session features a case-based review of orthostatic intolerance and nonsustained tachycardia. This session will walk through key differential diagnoses, review diagnostic criteria for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and outline a practical pre-referral workup designed to streamline cardiology consultation and support efficient, informed referrals.

If you were unable to attend a session, recordings are available on our video playlist. 

Pediatric grand rounds, sponsored by the EVMS Department of Pediatrics, part of Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU, are offered biweekly to faculty, community faculty, residents, medical students, and other healthcare professionals. Come and learn from local and national clinical experts. All participants receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™ for attending. 

Parenting Through Divorce and Separation
Thursday, May 7 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Virtual

UPSTANDERS Film and Discussion
Wednesday, May 13 | 5-7 p.m. | Emily Spong Center, Portsmouth, VA

Seasons of Safety: Newborn Sleep and Care
Tuesday, May 19 | 12 – 1 p.m. | Virtual

May highlights key national observances aligned with our shared commitment to children’s health and safety. Please join us in supporting these important causes:

Dr. Marc Tsou and Jill Armstrong, RN
Marc.Tsou@CHKD.org  |  Jill.Armstrong@CHKD.org

Meet Your CHKD Provider Relations Liaisons >