As a nationally recognized Muscular Dystrophy Association Care Center, CHKD’s Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Program brings together a coordinated, multidisciplinary team including neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and pulmonology to provide comprehensive care for children with DMD.

CHKD has incorporated Elevidys gene therapy into its clinical pathways with structured evaluation, careful patient selection, and ongoing safety monitoring. This ensures that emerging therapies are delivered within a supportive, well-coordinated care environment.

Recent three-year data from the Phase 3 EMBARK study add to the growing evidence supporting Elevidys, demonstrating sustained functional benefit in ambulatory boys with DMD and further highlighting the role gene therapy can play as part of comprehensive neuromuscular care.

Dr. Crystal Proud, Chief of Neurology and Director of Neuromuscular Medicine at CHKD, emphasizes the impact of these advancements:

“As a pediatric neurologist, I spend time with families who are doing everything they can to help their children stay strong in the face of Duchenne. The EMBARK results give us a clearer picture of how treatment with ELEVIDYS can make a meaningful difference over time, and they reflect what I see in clinical practice – helping boys perform everyday movements, such as standing, walking and running with greater strength and speed than what we expect as Duchenne progresses without a disease-modifying treatment.”

Functional Outcomes
at 3 Years:

The EMBARK study, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-part crossover trial in ambulatory boys aged 4–7 at baseline, has reported three-year outcomes demonstrating that children who received Elevidys showed measurable improvements in movement compared to untreated children, and researchers are highly confident that the difference is unlikely due to random chance.

Partnering for Patient Care

As treatment options expand, early identification and timely referral are more critical than ever. We welcome collaboration with community pediatricians and subspecialists to ensure these advanced therapies are delivered as part of a thoughtful, whole-patient approach.

CHKD Laboratory services has earned accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP), a globally recognized distinction that reflects the highest standards of quality, accuracy, and patient safety in laboratory medicine. 

Following a rigorous on-site inspection across CHKD laboratory locations throughout the region, CAP inspectors praised the team’s excellence in quality control, safety practices, staff expertise, and overall laboratory operations. CHKD Laboratories now join more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.

Laboratory directors Dr. Alice Werner, Dr. Maria Aguiar, and Dr. Deborah Schofield were recognized for the outstanding services provided by CHKD’s laboratory teams.

“We are incredibly proud of our laboratory team for their ongoing commitment to delivering the highest quality test results for our patients,” said Dr. Alice Werner. “Their dedication to excellence is unmatched in our region.” This achievement highlights the vital role CHKD laboratory professionals play in supporting exceptional patient care every day.

Congratulations to CHKD's Laboratory team on this well-deserved recognition!

Dr. John Harrington, primary care pediatrician and Vice President of Quality, Safety, and Clinical Integration CHKD, has been named the recipient of the Greenberg-Serwint Award for Outstanding Leadership in Medical Education by the Academic Pediatric Association (APA) Region IV.

Presented annually, this distinguished award recognizes an exceptional medical educator who demonstrates sustained leadership in medical education, influences learners across multiple levels of training, and plays a vital role in developing the next generation of educators and pediatric clinicians.

Selected from a highly competitive pool of nominees across the region, Dr. Harrington was honored for outstanding contributions to teaching, mentorship, and educational leadership.

Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition and thanking Dr. Harrington for continued leadership and impact across our organization.

Kevin Todd, MD, authored a new study titled “Molecular Diagnosis of Inherited Platelet Disorder via a Targeted Whole-Exome Virtual Gene Panel: A Five-Year Institutional Experience,” recently accepted for publication in Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis. This significant work, which synthesizes five years of institutional data, underscores CHKD’s leadership in advancing precision medicine and diagnostic accuracy for complex pediatric blood disorders.

Presenter: Janelle Fox, MD, MS-HQSM, FACS, Chief of Pediatric Urology, CHKD

This Provider Relations CME Lunch and Learn focuses on improving recognition, referral, and treatment of testicular torsion – a time-critical pediatric urologic emergency where delays in care can result in permanent testicular loss. Through discussion of current evidence, regional care challenges, and practical strategies, the session highlights opportunities to streamline care pathways, increase community and provider awareness, and improve outcomes for boys and adolescents presenting with acute scrotal pain.

Stay up to date with the latest clinical insights through our Provider Relations CME Lunch & Learn series. Recent sessions have covered practical approaches to pediatric iron deficiency, updates on metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and comprehensive management of pediatric overweight and obesity. Each recap highlights key takeaways, evidence-based recommendations, and actionable guidance for primary and specialty care providers.

Credit Designation: This activity is designated for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ through joint providership with Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University and CHKD. You must attend the virtual event to receive credit.

Stay current, sharpen your skills, and grow as a healthcare professional. Visit CHKD.org/CME to explore the upcoming opportunities listed below.

1st and 4th Monday of the Month | 12-1 p.m. | Brickhouse Auditorium

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. 

April 13 | Quality and Safety Conference 
April 16 | 27th Annual Pediatric Emergency Medicine Update
April 30-May 1 | Youth Suicide: Risk and Prevention Conference 
May 29 | Eastern Pediatric Trauma Conference
June 11 | Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Medicine Update for Primary Care 

Crucial C’s on Misbehavior: Understanding and Guiding Children Toward Positive Behavior 
Tuesday, March 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual 

UPSTANDERS Film and Discussion: Building Resilience and Empathy to Stand Against Cyber-bullying
Wednesday, March 18, 6:00-7:30 p.m. | Great Bridge Middle School 

Purposeful Parenting: Through the Lens of Legacy and Love
Thursday, March 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual 

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

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