by Brandy Centolanza
Smithfield and Isle of Wight County had more to celebrate than just the opening of a medical facility when the new Riverside Smithfield Hospital began treating patients in January. Residents of the rural community now have quicker and easier access to health care for the first time, which is promising in an age where many rural communities across Virginia and the nation are seeing a decline in readily available medical services.
Between 2005 and 2023, more than 140 rural hospitals permanently closed or stopped providing inpatient care in the U.S., mostly due to financial strain. In 2022, a third of Virginia’s rural hospitals were also reported to be in the red. Rural hospitals tend to serve patients who are older, have higher levels of chronic illness and poverty and a larger reliance on programs like Medicaid and Medicare, posing challenges in recruitment and retention. Riverside is looking to buck the trend with the new hospital.
“Smithfield and Isle of Wight County have long been designated as medically underserved, with residents often traveling 30 minutes or more to access essential health care services,” shared Jessica Macalino, the hospital’s president. “Isle of Wight County is a fast-growing area and this hospital is a direct response to the community’s call for accessible, high-quality health care closer to home. This is huge for this community. It’s going to change and save many lives.”
Ribbon cutting with Gov. Glenn Youngkin (center).
Construction for the new hospital, which offers round-the-clock care, began in 2023 along Benns Grant Boulevard in Smithfield. Amenities of the three-story, 200,000 square foot facility include 38 medical/surgical beds and a dozen intensive care unit beds; four operating rooms and two procedure suites; and an emergency department with 15 rooms, as well as a staff of roughly 300.
The hospital, along with the Jamison-Longford Medical Office Building, a separate facility also located on campus, provides services in orthopedics, cardiology, gastroenterology, urology, vascular surgery, neurology, and physical therapy, with primary care, pain management and other services anticipated down the line.
“With the opportunity to design the hospital from the ground up, leadership sought feedback from a variety of stakeholders, including team members,” said Macalino. “The hospital features innovative design elements, such as private rooms with integral blinds for privacy and visibility, and art that reflects the local community and EMS workers.”
For years, providing services to those who live in Smithfield and Isle of Wight, Surry County, and surrounding areas has been difficult due to geographic challenges like waterways, bridges, and tunnels, Macalino said. The opening of the new hospital now also reduces service time for local EMS workers.
“One emergency call would take an EMS team out of service for upwards of four hours,” Macalino said. “With Riverside Smithfield Hospital, that time will be cut nearly in half. By reducing travel times and supporting local EMS and first responders, we’re not only improving health outcomes, but also strengthening the fabric of the community.”
Macalino is excited about welcoming patients to the hospital and what its opening means to those in the community. Riverside intends to expand services as the need arises.
“Our focus is on creating a comprehensive medical campus that supports the full continuum of care,” she said. “We’re not just building a hospital, we’re building a healthier, stronger community. I also encourage anyone passionate about making a difference to join our team. Together, we are creating a brighter future for Smithfield and beyond.”
