The 200,000-square-foot, 50-bed hospital is designed to provide a full continuum of care closer to home for residents in one of Southeast Virginia’s fastest-growing regions. | Photo Credit: Riverside Health
By Lindsey Coulter
SMITHFIELD, Va. — Riverside Health will open the doors of its new Riverside Smithfield Hospital on Jan. 6, 2026, marking a major expansion of medical services for Isle of Wight County and surrounding communities.
The 200,000-square-foot, 50-bed hospital is designed to provide a full continuum of care closer to home for residents in one of Southeast Virginia’s fastest-growing regions. Services include a 24/7 emergency department, inpatient units, advanced surgical suites, a dedicated intensive care unit, imaging services and patient rooms designed for safety and comfort.
Riverside Health celebrated the opening milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in early December attended by more than 300 people, including Gov. Glenn Youngkin and other state and local leaders.
“This is more than the opening of a new hospital. It is an investment in the health and vitality of Isle of Wight and the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Mike Dacey, President and CEO of Riverside Health, in a statement. “We are honored to deliver high-quality, compassionate care in a setting that is both close to home and designed for the future of medicine.”
Hospital leaders said the project responds directly to long-standing gaps in access to inpatient and emergency care. Prior to the development of the Smithfield campus, many residents were required to travel significant distances for hospital services.
The facility was designed with input from Riverside team members, patients and community stakeholders to ensure it reflects the needs of the region. The hospital has already brought hundreds of new jobs to the area and is expected to strengthen Riverside’s long-standing presence in Isle of Wight County.
“This hospital reflects years of planning, partnership and a shared vision of making care more accessible,” said Jessica Macalino, President of Riverside Smithfield Hospital, in a statement. “From emergency care to surgical services, this facility will make a meaningful difference for our neighbors and their families for generations to come.”
Imaging services at the hospital include CT, MRI, ultrasound, digital X-ray and mammography, allowing patients to access diagnostic services in one location. The campus also includes the Jamison-Longford Medical Office Building, a 27,000-square-foot facility that opened in September 2025 and houses multiple specialty practices and outpatient services.
In the weeks leading up to opening day, hospital staff have participated in simulations, patient-flow exercises and interdisciplinary drills to prepare for operations. These readiness activities are focused on confirming safety protocols, refining workflows and ensuring teams are familiar with the new space and technology.
The Smithfield hospital becomes Riverside’s fifth acute care facility, joining hospitals in Newport News, Williamsburg, Gloucester and Onancock. Leaders said the new campus strengthens Riverside’s regional continuum of care by providing coordinated access to specialists and advanced treatments.
Designed by HDR and built by Brasfield & Gorrie, planning for the project began in 2021, followed by groundbreaking in July 2023. Construction was completed after approximately two and a half years in coordination with local partners and state agencies. With construction finished, the hospital is now in its final preparation phase ahead of the January opening.