Melissa Mark, MD
Phone: (757) 668-7243
Specialty:
Education
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Residency: Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters
Fellowship: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Certification
American Board of Pediatrics
Hospice/Palliative Care
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Personal Statement
CHKD is a very special place to me as a former trainee, a community member, and as a parent. The culture here is so positive and supportive. I love being able to come back to a place where I walked the halls as a medical student, and now serve as a partner alongside the people who inspired me to pursue this career in the first place.
Bio
Dr. Mark completed a fellowship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in pediatric hematology/oncology, with a focus on brain tumors, as well as a fellowship in pediatric palliative care. During her fellowship in Cincinnati, Dr. Mark also completed a masters in clinical research where she focused on evaluation of symptoms and quality of life in pediatric cancer patients.
Dr. Mark is a passionate advocate for the integration of palliative care as a standard of care in pediatric oncology and has spoken on this topic nationally. Her clinical focus is on pediatric brain tumors, and she is excited to grow CHKD's pediatric brain tumor program and expand local access to clinical trials.
CHKD is a return to her roots; it is where she completed her residency training after attending Eastern Virginia Medical School. She also serves as co-medical director for EdMarc Hospice for Children here in Hampton Roads.
Additional Information
Clinical Interests
- Pediatric brain tumors
- Pediatric palliative care
Research Areas
- Pain and symptom management
- Health-related quality of life
- International DIPG Registry
Awards and Honors
- Virginia Business Magazine "Top Doc" 2024, 2025
- Coastal Living Magazine "Top Doc" 2019-2022
- Robert Campe Goodan and Agusta S. Goodman Award in Recognition of Academic Excellence and Unselfish Concern for Others
- Chief Fellow, Cincinnati Children's Hospital
- Rubio/Koehl Resident Teaching Award
- Hyundai Hope on Wheels Grant Recipient
- AAP CATCH Grant Recipient
Memberships
- American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Children's Oncology Group
- American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
- EdMarc Hospice for Children
Selected Publications
Gurunathan A, Boucher AA, Mark M, Prus KM, O’Brien MM, Breese EH, Mizukawa BE, Absalon MJ, Nelson AS, Jordan MB, Grimley MS, Lorsbach RB, Rotz SJ, Mathanda R, Kumar AR. Limitations of HLH-2004 Criteria in Distinguishing Malignancy-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis. Accepted for publication in Pediatric Blood & Cancer on 7/18/18. DOI:10.1002/pbc.27400.
Thienprayoon R, San Julian Mark M, Grossoehme D. Provider-Prioritized Domains of Quality in Pediatric Home-Based Hospice and Palliative Care: A Study of the Ohio Pediatric Palliative Care and End-of-Life Network. J Palliat Med. 2018 Mar;21(3):290-296. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2017.0333. Epub 2017 Sep 22. PubMed PMID:28937333; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5972768.
Mark M. What Mommy Does. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Mar 10;35(8):912-913. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2016.69.8738. Epub 2016 Dec 5. PubMed PMID: 27918715.
Shomaker K, Dutton S, Mark M. Pain Prevalence and Treatment Patterns in a US Children's Hospital. Hosp Pediatr. 2015 Jul;5(7):363-70. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2014-0195. PubMed PMID: 26136310.
Mark MS, Roseman JT, Caperton RL, Daniero JJ, Frontini M, Snaman JM. International volunteer medicine. JAMA. 2006 Aug 9;296(6):652; author reply 652-3. PubMed PMID: 16896105.
Refer to Hematology and Oncology