PSV CEO Dr. Laurel Blakemore Becomes President of the Scoliosis Research Society

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) is thrilled to announce that our CEO, Dr. Laurel Blakemore, has been appointed as the President of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS). Dr. Blakemore officially assumed her role on September 14, 2024, during the SRS 59th Annual Meeting in Barcelona, Spain. This is a historic moment, as Dr. Blakemore is only the second woman ever to lead the prestigious organization in its 59-year history.

The Scoliosis Research Society is the world’s leading institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and treatment of spinal deformities, including scoliosis. Its members include leading spine surgeons, researchers, and healthcare professionals, all committed to improving the care and outcomes for patients with spinal conditions. Dr. Blakemore’s appointment as president reflects her significant contributions to pediatric orthopedics and her long-standing dedication to improving treatments for children with scoliosis.

Dr. Blakemore, who will continue her role as CEO of PSV while serving as SRS President, is internationally recognized for her expertise in pediatric orthopedics, with a particular focus on spinal deformities. Her leadership at PSV has been instrumental in advancing the hospital’s mission of providing specialized care for children with complex medical needs. In her new role at SRS, Dr. Blakemore will guide the society’s efforts to further research, education, and treatment of scoliosis and related conditions worldwide.

“This is an exciting time for the Scoliosis Research Society, and I am honored to be leading such a dedicated and talented group of professionals,” said Dr. Blakemore. “Together, we will continue to advance the treatment of spinal deformity treatment and improve the lives of patients around the globe.”

Dr. Blakemore’s accomplishments have already had a profound impact on the global scoliosis community. As the SRS continues to innovate in spinal deformity research, we are confident that her vision and expertise will further elevate the field. PSV is incredibly proud of her achievements and her commitment to advancing both PSV’s mission and the work of the Scoliosis Research Society.

We congratulate Dr. Blakemore on this remarkable milestone and look forward to the continued impact she will have in her new role as SRS President.

For more information, visit the Scoliosis Research Society’s announcement on their 2024–2025 Board of Directors.

About Pediatric Specialists of Virginia
Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) was collaboratively created by Children’s National Hospital and Inova Health System in 2013 as a pediatric specialty group dedicated to caring for the needs of children in Northern Virginia and surrounding areas. Its mission is to provide superb pediatric specialty care through clinical excellence, innovation, education, research, and family-centered care. As a medical group practice with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, our specialists care for children during hospital stays at Children’s National and Inova Children’s Hospital and throughout their childhood on an ongoing, outpatient basis. Many are recognized as “Top Docs” by Washingtonian, Arlington Magazine, and Northern Virginia Magazine and have appeared in U.S. News & World Report as leading experts in their fields.

For more information about PSV, please visit: www.psvcare.org

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) and Inova’s L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital are proud to announce that our joint Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Center has been granted full accreditation by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through 2028. This prestigious recognition is a testament to the dedication and exceptional quality of care provided by our CF team, led by Program Director Dagne Assefa, MD.

Established over two decades ago, the CF Center has been a cornerstone of support for pediatric CF patients in our community. Originally established as an affiliate center, the program achieved full accreditation in 2017. Since its inception, the team has continuously demonstrated their commitment to excellence in CF care.

Dr. Assefa, expressed his gratitude, stating, “Our Cystic Fibrosis Center has served our community’s pediatric cystic fibrosis patients for over two decades. What truly sets the Cystic Fibrosis Center apart is the commitment and collaborative work ethic of our team members. We are wholeheartedly dedicated to the program, ensuring that our cystic fibrosis patients receive optimal care.”

The core team, including Dagne Assefa, MD (Program Director), Michael McCown, DO (Associate Program Director), Patti DeCorte, CPNP-PC (Program Coordinator), Julia Segovia, RN (CF Nurse), Rachel Jones, MSW (Social Work), Latisha Davis, RRT (Respiratory Therapist), and Janny Cho, RD (Nutritionist), brings together expertise from various disciplines to provide comprehensive cystic fibrosis care for our patients.

At the heart of the CF Center is a commitment to collaboration and patient-centered care. Weekly team meetings allow the team to discuss cases, share insights, and make collective decisions. This open communication ensures that every patient benefits from their combined expertise and holistic approach to treatment.

The CF Center prioritizes patient and family involvement in decision-making, tailoring care plans to individual needs. As patients transition to adult care, the Center maintains a seamless partnership with the Inova Adult CF program, ensuring continuity of care. Moreover, the Center engages in continuous quality improvement, regularly reviewing practices and implementing evidence-based changes to enhance care delivery.

Looking ahead, the focus remains on innovation and improvement. The CF Center is establishing a patient family advisor board to further enhance patient engagement and are committed to initiatives like providing easy access to genetic counseling for all patients, among other quality improvement projects.

At the CF Center, our mission is clear: to provide exceptional care and support to every CF patient we serve. With full accreditation from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, we reaffirm our dedication to excellence and look forward to continuing to make a positive impact in the lives of our patients and their families.

About Pediatric Specialists of Virginia
Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) was collaboratively created by Children’s National Hospital and Inova Health System in 2013 as a pediatric specialty group dedicated to caring for the needs of children in Northern Virginia and surrounding areas. Its mission is to provide superb pediatric specialty care through clinical excellence, innovation, education, research, and family-centered care. As a medical group practice with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, our specialists care for children during hospital stays at Children’s National and Inova Children’s Hospital and throughout their childhood on an ongoing, outpatient basis. Many are recognized as “Top Docs” by The Washingtonian and Northern Virginia Magazine and have appeared in U.S. News & World Report as leading experts in their fields.

For more information about PSV, please visit: www.psvcare.org

[Fairfax, VA, September 30, 2023] – Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV), a top pediatric care institution, proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary today. Over the past decade, PSV has been a pillar of support for Northern Virginia’s children and families, delivering outstanding pediatric care and making a profound impact on the community’s well-being.

Founded in 2013 as a unique joint venture by Children’s National Hospital and Inova Health System to meet the needs of children and families in Northern Virginia and surrounding areas, PSV has grown into a leading pediatric specialty practice, adapting to meet evolving needs, and setting the standard for comprehensive pediatric specialty care in the region.

“This milestone is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire PSV team,” said Dr. Laurel Blakemore, Chief Executive Officer of PSV. “We’ve come a long way since our inception, and it fills me with immense pride to see how we have positively impacted the lives of countless children and their families. Our commitment to service excellence remains as strong as ever, and we are determined to continue providing the highest quality care possible.”

PSV’s commitment to service excellence and the well-being of its patients and their families remains at the heart of its mission. The practice’s multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists and support staff work tirelessly to create an environment that is nurturing, comforting, and focused on the unique needs of each child.

As PSV marks its 10th anniversary, it reaffirms its dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of Northern Virginia’s children, looking forward to the next decade and beyond.

About Pediatric Specialists of Virginia: 
Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) was collaboratively created by Children’s National Hospital and Inova Health System in 2013 as a pediatric specialty group dedicated to caring for the needs of children in Northern Virginia. Its mission is to provide superb pediatric specialty care through clinical excellence, innovation, education, research, and family-centered care. As a medical group, PSV is a public charity with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Many PSV providers are recognized as “Top Docs” by The Washingtonian and Northern Virginia Magazine and have appeared in U.S. News & World Report as leading experts in their fields. For more information about PSV, please visit the About Us page.

This month, Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) received a recognition award from the Fairfax County Health Department for contributions in protecting the health of children through our dedicated actions and commitment to immunizations.

Representatives from the Fairfax County Health Department, including Immunization Action Plan Coordinator Christine Carlock, presented the award to PSV’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Laurel Blakemore and Director of Quality and Clinical Services Ruby Higgins.

Under Dr. Rebecca Levorson, who was instrumental in its development and success, PSV’s immunization program made collaborative use of the Virginia Immunization Information System (a statewide system that maintains vaccination history), took an active role providing COVID-19 immunizations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and contributed to protecting the health and well-being of vulnerable children in our community.

Each August, The Virginia Department of Health, the Fairfax County Health Department, and other partners recognize National Immunization Awareness Month. This recognition highlights the importance of routine vaccination for people of all ages, preventing many diseases that were once common.

To read the full article, head over to the Fairfax County Health Department’s website.

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia is excited to announce that Laurel Blakemore, MD, CEO, was announced as one of the co-recipients of the Thomas E. Whitecloud Award by Scoliosis Research Society. 

To view more about the award, and the Scoliosis Research Society, please click here.