Inova Announces Transformational Gift and Will Rename Children’s Hospital

Falls Church, VA – Inova Health System today announced it has received a gift to its pediatric program from local pediatrician, Laurence J. Murphy, MD, who has served children and their families in Northern Virginia for more than four decades.

In recognition of Dr. Murphy’s generous gift, Inova will rename the Inova Children’s Hospital building on the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. The facility will now be known as the Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital.

As he nears retirement, Dr. Murphy, and his wife Candace, began to think of the legacy they wished to leave for their three daughters and the community he has cared for his entire career.

“Inova has been a part of our family for more than 45 years,” Dr. Murphy said. “I’ve spent many days and nights caring for my patients at Inova. My children were born at Inova Fairfax Hospital, and my wife and I have received superb healthcare there over the years. We have benefitted from our affiliations with Inova during most of our lifetimes, and we are thrilled to be able to give back to my colleagues and the community in such a meaningful way.”

Dr. Murphy is a board-certified pediatrician who has a longtime affiliation with Inova and currently serves as a member of the Inova Children’s Hospital medical staff. After completing his medical training at Georgetown University Medical School in 1977, Dr. Murphy began his residency at Children’s National Medical Center. Upon the completion of his pediatric residency in June of 1980, he entered a pediatric private practice in Burke, VA., and has continued practicing in Burke for the past 41 years. Today, Dr. Murphy continues to see his admitted pediatric patients at both Inova Children’s and Inova Fair Oaks hospitals.

“We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Murphy and his family for this transformational gift to our pediatric program,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO of Inova. “Their generous support will enable Inova to continue to provide our smallest patients with the highest quality specialized care. It will also help us recruit and retain talent, expand our research capabilities, and grow our award-winning child life program.”

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org, 703-289-2087

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About Inova  L.J Murphy Children’s Hospital

Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital is Northern Virginia’s only dedicated children’s hospital, and is located on the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. The 226-bed, full service children’s hospital offers a complete range of services in more than 40 pediatric subspecialties, including one of the area’s largest heart programs with pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery. The hospital serves as the Northern Virginia’s tertiary pediatric referral center; home to its only Pediatric Level I Trauma Center, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Inova Children’s Hospital is part of Inova, Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider that serves more than 2 million people each year in the Washington, DC region and beyond. Inova was recognized in 2019 and 2020 by U.S. News & World Report, which named Inova Fairfax Hospital the #1 hospital in the Washington, DC region. All five Inova hospitals were awarded ‘A’ grades for the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, recognizing Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare. Each of Inova’s five hospitals holds a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), distinguishing Inova as the highest-rated large health system in the U.S., and the only system to have all hospitals receive five stars. Inova Fairfax Medical Campus was named to the Fortune/IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals list, ranking in the top 10 nationwide among Major Teaching Hospitals. More information and statistics can be found at inova.org , inovachildrens.org and on Facebook.

12 Comments

  1. Rosario on April 22, 2021 at 12:56 pm

    Dr Murphy has taken care of all my 3 children who are now adults. He has been wonderful to our family and we will always be grateful to him for all the care he has given my children. He was always available, 365 days a year. I have not seen any doctor be available or have a vocation as a physician like him.

  2. Catherine on April 22, 2021 at 5:10 pm

    “The greatest thing you will ever give to the world is your committment to leave what you find in better condition than the way you found it. Leave a single light in a place where there was once darkness so those coming behind you may see further and begin where you left.” Tony K Brown

    Dr Murphy, You’ve left a light that will shine for generations to come!

  3. Carol on April 23, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    Dr. Murphy was our pediatrician beginning in 1987. He served my children very well and had great insight in working with children. What a wonderful gift to the entire community. A legacy to be sure. Thank you. Dr. Murphy!

  4. Dani on April 23, 2021 at 8:53 pm

    Dr Murphy was my pediatrician when my kids were growing up and is now the pediatrician for my two granddaughters. We always knew he was special, even without having a hospital named for him. Congratulations Dr Murphy. We all love you.

  5. Kate on April 24, 2021 at 3:34 pm

    Congratulations Dr.Murphy, I never Regretted having taking my children’s to his office who are now 21, 19 and 5. His practice is one of the best in Burke Virginia open 6 days a week with friendly staff. My kids and I always look forward to his greeting of “hello mom or hello pops which follows by his kissing little pet at the end of the visit with a candy/sticker for the kids”.

  6. Chase M on May 6, 2021 at 12:22 pm

    That’s my doctor😤😤😤

  7. Jake on May 8, 2021 at 9:18 pm

    Dr. Murphy was my pediatrician as a child and he and Dr. Staats are now my 3 children’s pediatricians. Best pediatricians in NOVA.

  8. GINA on June 12, 2021 at 12:56 am

    Dr Murphy was my 3 daughters pediatrician for many years. He’s an amazing Dr and truly cares for all of his pts It does not surprise that he has done this for the NOVA community. Thank you Dr Murphy for always being there for my kids; and have them actually be happy to go to see the Dr… Wishing U a happy retirement; and many trips to Ireland ☘️

  9. Charlene on September 13, 2021 at 1:14 pm

    We started taking our two children to Dr. Murphy in the 1970s. He was brand new to the practice at that time. When my daughter turned 16, she was very upset that she would be unable to continue her care with Dr. Murphy. She is now 48 and still remembers that. My son is 51 and he too remembers Dr. Murphy and how caring he was. THANK YOU!

  10. Perrin (Guy) on September 13, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    I grew up in Burke, Virginia, and I have since relocated to Pooler, Georgia (just outside of Savannah). I am so proud to say I was one of Dr. Murphy’s patients for most (if not all) of my childhood. In fact, I had trouble accepting that he could no longer be my physician when I turned 16. I was very upset about having to leave him. Having worked for Inova Health System a couple times, I am so excited about this honor Inova has so fittingly bestowed upon Dr. Murphy. There is no other pediatrician for whom the children’s hospital at Inova should be named. Congratulations, Dr. Murphy! I still know which drawer the lollipops are in! =)

  11. Laurie on September 28, 2021 at 7:15 pm

    I just watched the video and must admit that I am typing through tears at this moment – with pride and gratitude. Dr. Murphy & his wonderful partner, Dr. Staats, welcomed my three children into this world (now 27, 24 & 20) and have been a support system for our family to this day, not only to the kids, but to all. When I got bit by a hamster at 8 months pregnant & needed a tetanus shot right away, he was there. When my elderly parents needed a flu shot & had trouble finding one, he was there. Hearing his soothing voice brought back many memories – he always made me feel like a great mom, trusting that my instincts were valid and that no question was a silly one (like at 2am when my first child had croup and I made my one and only middle of the night call). Fairfax Hospital has always been a big part of my world – I grew up in Holmes Run Acres, about two minutes away, my mom was a nurse there, I spent my teenage years there as a Candystriper every Monday afternoon & then my three children were born there – knowing that Dr. Murphy’s name is on the Children’s center is just so right, thank you!!

  12. Emily on December 16, 2021 at 7:09 am

    Dr. Murphy is exceptional in every way. My children were blessed to have him as their doctor. He is professional and friendly, extremely knowledgeable and comforting to both his patients and their parents. He is obviously generous and cares for the future of NOVA’s children. Renaming the hospital in his honor is a well deserved accolade and an example for future pediatricians to aspire to.

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