UVA Pediatrics at Orange

07/29/2026

In a promising sign for the potential of focused sound waves to improve care for brain tumors, UVA Health researchers have determined that tumors called gliomas may be even more receptive to targeted drug delivery than normal brain tissue.

Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors in adults. More than 10,000 people in the United States alone die from glioblastomas every year.

“This new MRI-guided focused ultrasound system gives our researchers the ability to both deliver treatment and monitor its effects with exceptional precision,” says James Stone, MD, PhD. “That combination will accelerate our understanding of how to optimize drug delivery for brain tumors and help move promising therapies closer to clinical care.”

🧠 Learn more at https://bit.ly/4fHuiU2

07/29/2026

Central Virginia and Shenandoah Valley Dairy Queen locations will raise money Thursday, July 30, for UVA Health Children's on Children's Miracle Network Miracle Treat Day!

For every Blizzard sold at participating Dairy Queen locations, $1 will go to UVA Health Children's to support patients and their families, including:
💜 specially designed equipment for children
💜 lodging, food and gas cards
💜 services provided by the UVA Health Children's child life team, such as playrooms inside the hospital and helping children understand their diagnosis and care

2026 participating locations include:
🍦 Charlottesville: 1777 Fortune Park Rd.
🍦 Appomattox: 2113 Confederate Blvd.
🍦 Bridgewater: 506 N. Main St.
🍦 Elkton: 108 Blue & Gold Dr.
🍦 Harrisonburg: 78 S. Carlton St. and 1755 Virginia Ave.
🍦 Mineral: 911 Cross County Rd.
🍦 Stuarts Draft: 2647 Stuarts Draft Hwy.
🍦 Verona: 79 Lee Hwy.

07/28/2026

UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center scientists have developed a promising new experimental approach to targeting glioblastoma, the most common and deadliest brain cancer.

Roger Abounader, MD, PhD, and colleagues have identified “microRNAs” that can suppress multiple malfunctioning genes responsible for glioblastoma’s formation and growth.

The scientists use a combination of brain-penetrating nanoparticles, focused ultrasound waves and microbubbles to deliver the RNAs through the brain’s natural protective barrier – a barrier that typically blocks treatments for tumors and neurodegenerative diseases.

🔬 Learn more at https://bit.ly/4x7ntSV

07/26/2026

🐝 Our BEE (Being Excellent Everyday) Award is an award dedicated to celebrating the team members who work alongside our nurses delivering expert, compassionate care.

Meet our July honorees: University Medical Center nutritional services team member Krista Brown, clinical laboratory assistant Hope Wells, patient care technician Monika Vuckovic, and Anshul Misra and Surabhi “Chikki” Rao, rehabilitation therapists at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center!

Several team members nominated Krista for her exemplary dedication to supporting patients and their care teams with compassion and proactivity. "When she notices a patient has not touched their meal tray, she does not simply move on," a teammate said in their nomination. "She takes the time to engage with the patient, respectfully asking for feedback and identifying barriers to eating."

Hope sprang into action when a fellow team member suddenly experienced a medical episode during a procedure, ensuring the team member's safety through calm leadership under pressure and excellent situational awareness.

A patient nominated Monika, noting that every time that they had her as their PCT during their stay in Acute Cardiology, "she always showed that same drive and positive attitude. ... I hope [she] continues to work in healthcare, for I know she has a good heart and cares for her patients!"

Anshul and Chikki helped a patient through physical and occupational therapy respectively. The patient reported that he came into their care with low expectations due to his hesitancy to confront his therapeutic concerns, but “came out stronger and determined to continue. Never before have I had such a positive experience with therapy or the entire medical field!”

We're incredibly proud to honor team members like Krista, Hope, Monika, Anshul, and Chikki who go above and beyond in their commitment to serving our patient community.

07/25/2026

The facial nerve controls the muscles that allow you to smile, blink, and move your face. When it stops working, it can affect both your appearance and how your face functions. You may have trouble blinking, speaking clearly, chewing food, or keeping food and liquids in your mouth.

At UVA Health, our specialists diagnose and treat all types of facial paralysis in adults and children. We develop a treatment plan designed to improve how your face looks, feels, and functions.

🧡 Learn more about facial paralysis treatment options at https://bit.ly/4vEv7Dh

07/24/2026

Creatine, long a popular supplement in the world of fitness and sports, is gaining newfound popularity for its purported benefits for brain health and women experiencing menopause.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️ UVA Today spoke to registered dietitian Katherine Basbaum, RD, about how this research may benefit a whole new group. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4vSjdpp

07/22/2026

07/22/2026

A buildup of bile acids caused by an unhealthy gut can drive breast cancer to other parts of the body, new UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center research reveals. The findings could open the door to new ways to prevent breast cancer metastasis (spread), improve patient outcomes and save lives.

The research from Melanie Rutkowski, PhD, and colleagues helps explain how the gut microbiome – the collection of microorganisms that live in and on our intestines – plays a role in the spread of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer.

The work adds to a growing understanding of the far-reaching influence of the microbiome in both disease and in maintaining good health.

🔬 Learn more at https://bit.ly/4bacNKF

07/22/2026

🎀 Hope. Innovation. Progress.

We have launched our first collaborative breast cancer clinical trial with UVA Health, marking an important milestone in our shared commitment to advancing cancer care. 💚

By bringing more clinical research opportunities closer to home, we're helping connect patients with innovative treatment options while supporting the future of breast cancer care.

We're proud to be part of work that gives patients access to promising advances and helps shape tomorrow's treatments.

Read more about this exciting collaboration: 🔗 https://ow.ly/nShz50ZqQsT

07/22/2026

06/15/2026

Learn more about our Summer Meals Program here: https://www.ocss-va.org/departments/school-nutrition/seamless-summer-program

06/08/2026

🪖 Accept the mission at: https://ow.ly/kRth50Z6pYT
Attention! The Stronger Together Combat Fitness Test returns this year at the OCHS Track! This free military appreciation and community building event will include some bootcamp-style activities including an 880m run, a two-minute ammo can lift, and a movement under fire obstacle course. Those who register by June 12 will receive a free commemorative t-shirt!

06/08/2026

05/19/2026

03/17/2026

Middle and High School students - get your creativity flowing!

The Take Down To***co Day Contest is upon us & entries are now officially being accepted!!! Let's get creative!

2026 Contest Information
The 2026 Orange County Take Down To***co Contest kicked off on Friday, March 6th and submissions will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 29th. As with the previous events, contest submissions are open to all middle and high school students, in both public and private schools, in Orange County, VA. Middle school students must be in 6th, 7th, or 8th grades to enter. High school students must be in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grades to enter. Home-schooled students of middle and high school age/grade are also eligible to participate in the contest if they reside in Orange County, VA.

Orange County students are invited to create an advertisement against flavored to***co products, either through an original photo or artwork or through a digital graphic or video. All submissions must be produced individually. No joint submissions will be accepted.

Please visit: https://orangecountyva.gov/976/Take-Down-To***co-Day-Contest
for more information and/or to submit your contest entry.

Rules and Guidelines Information
Please be sure to read the entire Rules and Guidelines document. Parents must agree to the submission and copyrighted or trademarked information will be a disqualification.

For more information about this and other grant-funded Orange County Office on Youth on Youth programs, please contact the Office on Youth at [email protected]

02/02/2026

Save the Date!!
**Saturday, Feb. 28th** is our next Community Wellness Day! We will be joined by fantastic local vendors, organizations and resources!! This is a FREE Event!! Please come out and say hello! We are looking forward to seeing you. More details can be found on our event page here: https://www.facebook.com/share/17xsK3Bo5n/