Unstoppable
A letter from Elias Neujahr
Unstoppable growth
The incredible and compassionate care kids receive at CHoR is among the best in the country. I know because I have the privilege of seeing it firsthand every day – but the data confirms it! U.S. News & World Report listed CHoR among the 2025-26 Best Children’s Hospitals in EIGHT pediatric subspecialties. These rankings are tied to the exceptional quality, safety, outcomes and experiences provided by our talented team.
This team continues to grow, along with our facilities and programs. We’ve marked an unbelievable 2 years in our 16-story, completely kid-focused Children’s Tower, and that’s just the beginning. With construction underway for an additional 24 acute care and 20 NICU beds, we’re making sure we’re ready for more children and families who need us. At the same time, new programs and procedures in surgery, cardiac care, mental health and other specialty areas are ensuring kids can get the expert care they need.
More than 80,000 families turned to us in 2025 – some from around the corner, and others across the globe. No matter where they were from or what brought them to us, we were ready to answer the call. Being chosen to care for them was the greatest recognition of all.
Ranked among the best
When families turn to CHoR, they receive care that is among the best in the country. From newborns to neurosurgery – and everything in between – we are unconditionally committed to nurturing the champion in every child.
CHoR landed among the top 50 hospitals in eight of the 11 ranked subspecialties and is also rated one of the top 10 children’s hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Big surgical benefits for little patients
As a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center, we’re not content with status quo. From implementing FDA-approved advancements in orthopaedics to robotic assistants in the operating room, our surgeons are innovators.
Beginning this year, families have more flexibility than ever when coming to CHoR for this care. We’re the only provider in the state to offer Saturday hours for select surgeries, so parents can keep up with the busy pace of life and kids can recover at home over the weekend.
Innovation at heart
When it comes to matters of the heart, we have families covered whether their child is a preemie or pre-teen. Our heart team repairs holes in the hearts of infants born weighing less than 2 pounds – a minimally invasive, but lifelong solution to a congenital heart defect. We were also the first in the region to implant a leadless pacemaker in a child. Now 12-year-old Tony’s heart is steadily keeping up with his active life.
CHoR by the numbers
.png){kind=icon}
A letter from Lauren Moore
Philanthropy has been a primary catalyst behind the growth and success we saw over the last year. Generous community investment has allowed CHoR to expand its facilities, recruit nationally and internationally recognized specialists and strengthen programs that allow families to access world-class care close to home. All eight specialties recognized in the 2025-26 U.S. News & World Report rankings have been strengthened by philanthropy, and the impact of community support is evident in every family who receives the care and support they need when they step through our doors.
In 2019, we launched the Built for Kids, Built by You campaign with a vision to transform pediatric care in our region through the construction of the Children’s Tower, now home to our inpatient, emergency and trauma services. The Tower opened in 2023 and enabled significant growth in patient care.
Today, families are choosing our hospital in record numbers, and that growth has guided our campaign into its next chapter. In 2025, our focus expanded beyond brick and mortar to what matters most now: increasing access to care, supporting the whole child and family, advancing medical innovation and ensuring we have the people and infrastructure required to meet growing needs.
Together, we can ensure that every child in our region has access to the highest level of care, today and in the future.
About Children's Hospital FoundationDonor impact
Children's Hospital Foundation works to maximize philanthropic impact in children's health at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, driving excellence in patient care, education and research.
Fundraising designation
- $8.46 - unrestricted funds
- $6.19 - restricted funds
- $1.00 - capital funds
Gift source
- 39% - Businesses and organizations
- 33% - Trust and estates
- 19% - Individuals
- 9% - Foundations
2025 by the numbers
A destination for care
The health of all children has been, and always will be, our mission and number one priority. Our team served more than 80,000 families in 2025 from 46 states and outside the U.S.
Clinical fast facts
Makayla and Peyton’s unbreakable bond
While fighting cancer, two teenage patients found joy and comfort in each other thanks to the help of our nurses. Makayla and Peyton were both 12 when they were diagnosed with the same form of leukemia. Our care team recognized early that the two could help each other through their treatment and, as featured in People magazine, the duo developed an unbreakable bond.
Mental health matters
Demand for pediatric mental health care remains high, but the needs can’t be met with a one-size-fits-all approach. New programs and a growing team at Virginia Treatment Center for Children are helping kids and families get the care they need, when they need it. We know the right treatment works – and we’re committed to providing it.