Community Health Improvement Week
Community Health Improvement Week (CHIW) is a nationally recognized time of year to raise awareness of programs, professionals and partnerships dedicated to improving community health and to celebrate all we do in the community to build healthier lives for children and families.
2027 information will be available soon.
Questions?
For additional questions or information, please email the Community Affairs team.
Past Events
2026 Webinars
CHAI Affiliate Faculty Project Showcase and Recognition Roundtable
- June 1, 2026
-
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET
- Virtual
- A virtual roundtable highlighting innovative projects led by CHAI Affiliate Faculty. Selected faculty will present brief overviews of their initiatives, emphasizing community impact, research and systems change. The session will also include recognition of the CHAI Champion Award and Advocacy All-Star Award recipients.
- Open to staff
From Community Voices to Action: Our Community Health Needs Assessment & Community Health Improvement Plan - Centered on Child Opportunity
- June 1, 2026
- 2 - 3 p.m. ET
- Virtual
- A virtual session highlighting key findings from our hospital's Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and the priorities guiding our Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The session will explore how community input and local data are informing action to improve child opportunity.
- Open to staff
Practical Strategies to Support Family Wellbeing during Stressful Times
- June 3, 2026
- 12 - 1 p.m. ET
- Virtual
- Webinar for parents and caregivers on navigating behavioral health resources and addressing stressors.
- Open to staff
Food as Medicine Roundtable with Dr. Kofi Essel
- June 4, 2026
- 8 - 9 a.m. ET
- Virtual
- Hosted at Children's National, this roundtable led by Dr. Kofi Essel will bring together experts in the Food Access field on current efforts, challenges and emerging opportunities at Children's National.
- Open to staff
Health Policy SIG Event
- June 4, 2026
- 12 - 1 p.m. ET
- Virtual
- The Health Policy SIG will host Dr. Lois Lee, a firearm injury prevention researcher, pediatrician and health policy advocate to present her research.
- Open to staff
School Wellness Symposium
- June 9, 2026
- 9 a.m. -12:45 p.m. ET
- Virtual
- The event will feature the School-Friendly Health Systems national movement founded at Children's National Hospital, the statewide School-based Wellness Initiative at the Medical University of South Carolina’s Boeing Center for Children's Wellness and other innovative collaborations.
2026 In-Person Events and Invitation Only Events
Walking Through Our Patients' Journeys: Poverty Simulation
- June 1, 2026
- 9 - 11 a.m. ET
- Children's National Main Campus
- An interactive simulation that immerses participants in the financial and social realities many families face when navigating daily life and accessing healthcare. The experience highlights structural barriers affecting child health and underscores the role of advocacy education in preparing residents to address social drivers of health.
- By invitation only
Catalyzing Community Health Impact: An Evening Networking Event
- June 1, 2026
- 5:30 - 8 p.m. ET
- Children's National Research Institute
- An evening networking reception bringing together CHAI Affiliate Faculty, community partners and potential funders to build connections and explore opportunities for collaboration and support. Faculty initiatives will be highlighted through portfolio displays showcasing current programs, research and advocacy work.
- By invitation only
Helping Our Community Stay Insured: A Partnership Dialogue on Navigating Medicaid Changes
- June 2, 2026
- 3 - 5 p.m. ET
- Children's National Research and Innovation Campus
- An invitation‑only partnership event bringing together hospitals and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to align on Medicaid and other health insurance changes that are anticipated to pose challenges for our community to stay insured. The session will focus on how health care organizations can support one another and work collaboratively to help our community stay insured during a period of transition.
- By invitation only
Community Innovation Day
- June 2, 2026
- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET
- The Well at Oxon Run
- The Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN) Community Innovation Day brings our community together at The Well at Oxon Run for a joyful day of networking, nature walks, collaborative learning and interactive activities. Come connect, explore and celebrate innovation in the heart of nature.
- Open to staff and community
Kovler Grand Rounds
- June 3, 2026
- 8 - 9 a.m. ET
- Children's National Main Campus
- Dr. Sonny Patel and Dr. Christopher King will be engaging in a fireside chat regarding policy services and policies at the intersection of children's mental health and health equity.
- Open to staff
Kovler Reception & Roundtable
- June 3, 2026
- 9 - 10:30 a.m. ET
- Children's National Main Campus
- Reception and Roundtable with Kovler Community Health Grand Rounds Speaker.
- By invitation only
Community Engaged Research SIG Event
- June 3, 2026
- 12 - 1 p.m. ET
- Children's National Main Campus
- Community Engaged Research SIG- highlighting Community Healthcare Bridging Project with Community Partners.
- By invitation only
Children's Hospital Association Family Advocacy Day
- June 3, 2026
- 12 - 2 p.m. ET
- Rayburn House Office Building
- Community Engaged Research SIG- highlighting Community Healthcare Bridging Project with Community Partners.
- Open to staff and community
Mental Wellbeing Activities and Information for Families
- June 3, 2026
- 1 - 3 p.m. ET
- Children's National Main Campus
- Mental wellbeing demonstrations, activities and giveaways for families and providers.
- Open to staff and community
Live Cooking Class Demonstration
- June 4, 2026
- 2 - 4 p.m. ET
- Children's National Main Campus
- An interactive, child-led cooking class that highlights the importance of food and nutrition in health and wellbeing.
- By invitation only
Injury and Violence Prevention Pop-Up Stations
- June 4, 2026
- 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET
- Children's National Main Campus
- This multi-station event will highlight the depth and breadth of the injury and violence prevention portfolio at Children's National. We will deliver developmentally tailored safety guidance, provide safety devices and hands-on education centered around kids at home, at school, at play and on the way.
- Open to staff and community
Clifford Book Reading at Seacrest Studios
- June 4, 2026
- Starts at 10:30 a.m. ET
- Children's National Main Campus
- A live reading of the Clifford Takes a Swim book at Seacrest Studios.
- Open to staff and community
2025 Webinars
Webinar: Improving Community Health through Policy and Advocacy: Government Affairs Council Spring Meeting
- June 9, 2025
- 9 - 10 a.m. ET
- Virtual
- Please join the Government Affairs team for a review of this legislative session with regional updates on our advocacy and policy efforts to improve child opportunity and outcomes across D.C., MD, VA and at the federal level during Community Health Improvement Week.
- Open to staff
Webinar: CHAI Affiliate Faculty Roundtable
- June 9, 2025
- 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET
- Virtual
- CHAI Affiliate Faculty will present their advocacy and community health improvement work during the Celebration of Community Health Improvement, featuring presentations by Dr. Lee Beers, Dr. Sarah Durrin and Dr. Shilpa Patel. This event will also recognize the winners of the CHAI Affiliate Faculty Awards.
- Open to staff, community partners, residents and other key stakeholders
Grand Rounds: Peter and Judy Kovler Community Health Grand Rounds Lecture and Community Health Improvement Awards
- June 11 , 2025
- 8 - 9 a.m. ET
- Virtual
- The 2025 Community Health Improvement Celebration Grand Rounds lecture will feature Tonia Wellons, President & CEO, The Greater Washington Community Foundation.
- Open to staff, healthcare professionals and administration
Webinar: Together We Thrive: Parental Mental Health Webinar
- June 11, 2025
- Noon - 1 p.m. ET
- Virtual
- Learn how parents’ mental health can play a vital role in a child’s mental health care journey and resources available for families in this webinar presented by Children’s National Hospital and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.
2025 In-Person Events and Invitation Only Events
- June 10, 2025
- 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET
- Busboys and Poets, Brookland D.C. (625 Monroe St. NE Washington, D.C. 20017)
- The Child Health Advocacy Institute will bring our community together in celebration of Community Health Improvement. We will provide updates on Children’s National Hospital’s pediatric Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan and present various ways that the community can join our efforts to improve child opportunity. During this time, we will honor and celebrate our community partners that contribute their knowledge, skills, resources, and monetary support to advance our collective efforts to improve child health.
- Open to staff, community partners, residents and other key stakeholders. Registration is required.
Community Benefit Service Activity
- June 12, 2025
- Children’s National will partner with a local community-based organization to volunteer as part of a community benefit activity. Staff will be invited to volunteer and learn more about the current partnerships and programs that help serve our patients and families across the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area.
- By invitation only
Dr. Bear’s University with Legislative Leaders
- June 13, 2025
- This session will introduce the inner workings of care delivery at Children’s National Hospital and engage participants firsthand through the lens of faculty and staff.
- By invitation only
2024 Webinars
Improving Community Health through Policy and Advocacy: Government Affairs Council Spring Meeting
Please join the Government Affairs team as we review this legislative session and provide regional updates on our advocacy and policy efforts to improve child opportunity and outcomes across D.C., MD, VA and at the Federal level during Community Health Improvement Week.
- Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024
- Time: 9 - 10 a.m.
- Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024
- Time: 8 - 9 a.m.
- Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2024
- Time: 11 a.m. - noon
- Date: Thursday, June 5, 2024
- Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Event recording link
2024 In-Person Events and Invitation Only Events
Celebrating our Partners in Child Health Event
The Child Health Advocacy Institute will bring our community together in celebration of Community Health Improvement. We will provide updates on Children’s National Hospital’s pediatric Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan and present various ways that the community can join our efforts to improve child opportunity. During this time, we will honor and celebrate our community partners that contribute their knowledge, skills, resources, and monetary support to advance our collective efforts to improve child health.
- Date: Monday, June 3, 2024
- Time: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Location: Busboys and Poets Brookland D.C.
- Open to staff, community partners, residents and other key stakeholders
Community Benefit Service Activity
Children’s National will partner with a local community-based organization to volunteer as part of a community benefit activity. This year the Community Benefit Service Activity will be held at the Capital Area Food Bank, where staff will be invited to volunteer and learn more about the current partnerships and programs that help serve our patients and families across the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area.
- Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Location: Capital Area Food Bank Washington, DC
- By invitation only
Community Health Roundtable Discussion
The 2024 Community Health Improvement Celebration roundtable will feature Honorable Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, US Administration for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Dr. Philip Alberti, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Center for Health Justice.
- Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2024
- Time: 9:30 - 11 a.m.
- By invitation only
Wear Orange Day
To honor National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 7, 2024, Safer through Advocacy, Firearm Education, and Research (SAFER) is encouraging everyone at Children’s National to Wear Orange because no child should live in fear of gun violence – in their schools, neighborhoods, or anywhere. Wear your orange and join the SAFER team at the main campus for some fun activities and to learn more about gun violence prevention and helping kids feel safe.
- Date: Friday, June 7, 2024
- Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Location: Children’s National Hospital 1st Floor (Main Campus) Costco Atrium
- Open to all
2023 Webinars
Peter and Judy Kovler Community Health Grand Rounds Lecture and Awards (Staff Only)
Children’s National and HSC Health Care System are implementing strategies to improve child health. The 2023 Community Health Improvement Celebration Grand Rounds lecture will feature Laura Herrera Scott, MD. This event is open to all staff.
Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Time: 8-9 a.m.
Community Mental Health Seminar
Seminar on Community Mental Health will take place during Behavioral Health Grand Rounds. More details to follow. This event is open to all staff.
Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Celebrating our Partners in Child Health Event
Join us in Celebrating our Partners in Child Health. During this time, we will honor and celebrate our community partners that contribute their knowledge, skills, resources and monetary support to advance our collective efforts to improve child health. This event is free and open to staff, community partners and other stakeholders. Registration is required.
Date: Monday, June 12, 2023
Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Nothing About Us Without Us: Tools to Meaningfully Engage and Build Trust with the Patients, Family and the Community (Staff Only)
In this training, participants will learn about and develop an action plan for applying three new tools developed for Children’s National and HSC Health Care System leadership, staff, and trainees: Equity Impact Review, Community Engagement Quick Start Guide and Patient Family-Centered Toolkit. This event is open to all staff.
Date: Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Time: 1-2 p.m.
CHAI Affiliate Faculty Roundtable Discussion
CHAI Affiliate Faculty will present their work during the Celebration of Community Health Improvement. This year’s theme is aligned with the current Children’s National Hospital and HSC pediatric Community Health Improvement Plan “Growing Up Stronger; Strategies to Improve Child Opportunity in Washington, DC and PG County, Maryland”. This event is open to all staff.
Date: Thursday, June 15, 2023
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
2023 In-Person Events by Invitation Only
Roundtable Discussion and Reception
Children’s National and HSC Health Care System are implementing strategies to improve child health. The 2023 Community Health Improvement Celebration roundtable will feature Laura Herrera Scott, MD. This event is by invitation only.
Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Time: 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Service Day: Martha’s Table
Children's National staff will partner with Martha’s Table to pack and distribute food items to residents of the Ward 8 community at the Commons Grocery Market.
Date: Thursday, June 8, 2023
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Intern Advocacy Day at CAFB
Intern Advocacy Day will include time volunteering at the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) and include presentations and discussions with CAFB staff (including their Advocacy Director) and Children's National residents, faculty and other staff. This event is by invitation only.
Date: Friday, June 9, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Moving Conversations: Intern Bus Trip
"Moving Conversations" is a tour of the city and highlights community organizations, health disparities unique to the D.C., area and brings awareness to residents on their future patient needs. This event is intended for pediatric residents and is by invitation only.
Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Time: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Service Day: DC Central Kitchen
Children's National staff will partner with DC Central Kitchen to prepare meals for distribution to D.C., residents at the Klein Center.
Date: Friday, June 16, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
2022 Webinars
Presenting Child Opportunity Index as a framework to improve neighborhood conditions that impact a child’s opportunity to thrive and updates on the 2022 Children’s National Hospital and HSC Pediatric Health System’s Pediatric Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan.
Date: Monday, June 6, 2022
Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
A roundtable discussion with CHAI affiliate faculty on current initiatives and advocacy efforts that align with the 2022 CHNA priorities: access to healthy food, employment, health insurance and early childhood education.
Date: Monday, June 6, 2022
Time: 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Community Mental Health Seminar: Addressing Place- and Race-based Inequities in Mental Healthcare
This event will feature a panel of experts from Children's National Hospital in addressing place- and race- based inequities in mental healthcare for children and families in the community.
Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2022 Time: 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Judy and Peter Kovler Community Health Grand Rounds Lecture and Community Health Improvement Awards
Yanique Redwood, PhD, MPH, from the Boston University Center for Anti-Racist Research will give a lecture on how hospitals and healthcare systems must choose to be racist or antiracist.
Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Time: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Achieving Better Collaboration for Children (ABC) School Health Webinar: Engaging Youth and Families through Career Pathway Programs and Bringing Care to the Community
Children’s National Hospital leaders will share important information and engage in discussion with participants around critical health and safety topics for school administrators, educators and community organizations serving children.
Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Time: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
This workshop will go over policy, programs and partnerships to inform planning for the 2022 Community Health Improvement Plan.
Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2022Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
2022 In-Person Events by Invitation Only
Intern Advocacy Day at the Capital Area Food Bank (Staff Only)
Staff will be volunteering at the food bank and a session of advocacy on Zoom. You can register for a morning session and/or afternoon session.
Date: Thursday, June 9, 2022
Time: 8:45 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Developing a Shared Vision to Improve Community Health: Engagement with Residents and Fellows to Inform the Community Health Improvement Plan (Pediatric Residents and Fellows Only)
This workshop will go over policy, programs and partnerships to inform planning for the 2022 Community Health Improvement Plan.
Date: Thursday, June 9, 2022
Time: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
CHAI Day of Service Community Events: A Community Benefit (Staff Only)
Staff can participate in volunteer opportunities at Food and Friends, Martha's Table and Bread for the City. Spaces are limited.
Date: Friday, June 10, 2022
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.