CSG - Key Persons
Dr. Tatem is an academic general pediatrician who has returned to CHKD as the Medical Director for Mental Health Pediatrics as well as Vice Chair of Diversity for the Department of Pediatrics.
Camille Carson, PhD, was born in Richmond, Virginia, and is a graduate of Christopher Newport University. She obtained her doctoral degree at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. Her internship was with Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services in Bakersfield, California, where she worked with foster care youth providing individual and family therapy, and psychological testing. She additionally completed a forensic rotation with Kern County in the forensic adult's division completing competency evaluations, individual therapy, and psychological testing.
Since completing her undergraduate degree, Carson's passion has been serving children and adolescents. From working in group homes to her outpatient work, her dedication to helping children and adolescents meet their goals has not wavered. Carson believes that in order to provide optimum mental health to youth, making a genuine connection is the first step. She keeps her childhood alive by staying up to date on pop culture and all things Disney to bridge the gap between therapy and connecting it to their lives.
During her leisure time, Dr. Thornton is an avid traveler, soccer player, and amateur chef. She is actively involved in her local church. She also enjoys taking her dogs on outings, trying out new local foodie spots, and living an active lifestyle, preferably outdoors.
Dr. Dunn is a board-certified physician in pediatrics and allergy/immunology.
Dr. Carl Petersen joins CHKD as chief of psychiatry and mental health services.
Dr. Petersen is dual board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in general and child and adolescent psychiatry.
A retired U.S. Navy captain, Dr. Petersen brings a wealth of experience overseeing mental health initiatives and programs. He spent the last 10 years of his military career at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, serving the last three as its director of mental health.
As an advocate for children's mental health, Dr. Petersen led efforts to improve access to evidence-based care for children with behavioral difficulties and created a program to help pediatric residents properly diagnose and treat children with psychiatric illnesses.
He also established initiatives that expanded access to mental health services for military service members.
In his role at CHKD, Dr. Petersen will help lead our hospital's efforts to provide much-needed inpatient and outpatient mental health services to children throughout Virginia.
Honors and Awards:
Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc" 2021, 2023
Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards)
Army Commendation Medal (2 awards)
Sears Award (2018)
Dr. Carlos Sendon specializes in pediatric pulmonology and sleep medicine. He treats patients who have conditions such as asthma, chronic cough, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, recurrent pneumonia, as well as sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnea, central apnea, and narcolepsy. Dr. Sendon enjoys being part of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to family- and patient-centered care. He specializes in aero-digestive related diseases, technology-dependent children, and diseases of sleep. A native of Peru, Dr. Sendon speaks Spanish. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids. In addition, he enjoys visiting other countries and learning from different cultures. He likes to play table tennis and watch movies.
Dr. Catherine Costa grew up in Tampa, Florida, as the oldest of three children in a large Peruvian household. She remained in Florida for her undergraduate studies. Dr. Costa graduated from Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine in Richmond and then moved to Washington, D.C. where she completed her pediatric residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
Dr. Costa is passionate about advocating for the underserved and immigrant populations in medicine and improving patient-provider communication especially with non-English proficient patients. She also has a strong interest in being involved with medical education and helping medical students achieve their goals.
Dr. Costa and her husband, who is in the U.S. Army, reside in Norfolk with their cat. They enjoy spending time at the beach and visiting friends and family in Florida and Washington, D.C. Dr. Costa also enjoys reading, yoga classes, concerts, movies, and traveling to different cities.
Job Titles:
- Outstanding Student Award ( 2016 )
Job Titles:
- Outstanding Teacher Award ( EVMS Department of Pediatrics ), 1997