A Message from the Chair
As Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, it is my privilege to work alongside a dynamic, multidisciplinary team of over 350 faculty members, including a robust network of community-based clinicians. Together, we share one mission: To advance pediatric health through excellence in clinical care, research, advocacy, education, innovation, and community engagement.
Our patients are at the heart of everything we do. We are deeply committed to providing exceptional care for children from birth through young adulthood, addressing a wide range of health needs. Our pediatricians, specialists, and surgeons are not only skilled clinicians but also compassionate caregivers. Our close partnership with the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, a freestanding, full-service pediatric hospital, enhances our ability to provide top-tier care to the children and families we serve.
One of the guiding principles in our work is a shared philosophy that I believe defines the culture of our hospital, faculty, and residency program. It's a philosophy that can be summed up in four simple words: 'How can I help?' To me, this question is at the heart of everything we do. It reflects a mindset of collaboration, where each of us is part of something bigger. It's not just about individual success; it's about how we work together to support each other and meet the needs of our patients, colleagues, and learners. Whether it's asking how we can improve patient care, how we can support our team members, or how we can help shape the future of pediatric medicine, this philosophy fosters a culture of openness, respect, and service.
Education is one of the most fulfilling aspects of our work. We take great pride in training the next generation of pediatricians and healthcare providers through our residency and fellowship programs. Our residents receive a rich and diverse clinical experience, learning from our team of experts while making meaningful contributions to patient care. Mentoring these future pediatricians is genuinely one of the highlights of my role.
Clinical research is the key to improving children's health. We are dedicated to advancing knowledge by integrating research into our clinical care to offer the most current treatments and interventions. Through partnerships with national and international research institutions, we persist in finding new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat childhood diseases. Whether in pediatric oncology, neurology, gastroenterology, or other areas, our researchers are working to improve children's lives.
As pediatricians, we believe that we have a responsibility to advocate for children's health both locally and nationally. Our faculty is actively involved in shaping policy that improves children's health. We work hard to ensure that the voices of children and their families are heard in legislative and healthcare reform discussions, as we know that strong advocacy is key to advancing pediatric health.
The strength of our department lies in the collective dedication of our faculty, staff, and community partners. We are proud to work alongside individuals who are not only leaders in pediatric medicine but also advocates, mentors, and compassionate caregivers. Together, we are shaping the future of pediatric healthcare and making a difference in the lives of children and families.
Eric J. Lowe, MD
Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Professor, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Chief Clinical Academic Officer, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters
Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences
Eastern Virginia Medical School at 91制片厂
Email: eric.lowe@chkd.org
About
EVMS
Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) was founded in 1973 in Norfolk, Virginia, through a community-led initiative by local physicians, civic leaders, and residents to address a significant physician shortage in the Hampton Roads region, then the largest U.S. metropolitan area without a medical school. The effort originated with 1964 legislation establishing the Norfolk Area Medical Center Authority to plan and develop a regional medical school. EVMS began with a small inaugural class and quickly expanded its educational programs, residency training, and research activities, becoming a key contributor to healthcare delivery in southeastern Virginia. The institution gained national recognition in 1981 when physicians affiliated with EVMS achieved the first successful in vitro fertilization birth in the United States. Over the decades, EVMS grew into a major academic health sciences center through strong partnerships with regional hospitals and community-based programs, and in 2024 it integrated with 91制片厂 to form a unified academic health system.
Dept of Peds
The EVMS Department of Pediatrics developed through a long-standing academic and clinical partnership with Children鈥檚 Hospital of The King鈥檚 Daughters (CHKD), creating a comprehensive pediatric care and training system in Hampton Roads. Pediatric education in the region began with the establishment of the CHKD pediatric residency program in 1962, which later became formally integrated with EVMS after its founding in 1973. Over time, EVMS assumed the role of the academic partner, providing medical education, faculty leadership, and research infrastructure, while CHKD served as the primary pediatric teaching hospital and clinical training site. This collaboration has expanded into a large, multidisciplinary department encompassing numerous pediatric subspecialties, residency and fellowship programs, and community-based initiatives focused on improving child health. Today, the department represents an integrated academic-clinical model that advances pediatric care, workforce development, and research across the region.
CHKD
Children鈥檚 Hospital of The King鈥檚 Daughters (CHKD) traces its origins to 1896, when the King鈥檚 Daughters, a women鈥檚 service organization in Norfolk, began providing charitable healthcare through visiting nurses and community outreach to underserved children and families. Over the early 20th century, these efforts expanded into clinics, maternity services, and public health initiatives, establishing a strong foundation for pediatric care. In 1961, this work culminated in the opening of CHKD as a dedicated children鈥檚 hospital committed to serving all children regardless of their ability to pay. Over time, CHKD grew through sustained community support, philanthropy, and expanding clinical services, while developing a close academic partnership with the EVMS Department of Pediatrics, serving as its primary pediatric teaching hospital and collaborating on residency training, clinical care, and pediatric research. Today, CHKD continues to evolve as a comprehensive pediatric health system while remaining grounded in its mission of providing health, healing, and hope for every child.
