As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back on a year filled with remarkable milestones, heartfelt moments, and inspiring stories that shaped Riverside Health and the communities we serve. From new beginnings to meaningful partnerships, your trust and support have been at the heart of everything we’ve achieved.
This year, health care innovation took flight—literally—with the launch of our DroneUp medication delivery program. Preparations for Riverside Smithfield Hospital brought exciting progress, including the appointment of our inaugural Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, and a dedicated seven-member advisory board. In Williamsburg, a new 67,000-square-foot Medical Office Building brought quality care closer to home, while a partnership with Christopher Newport University created a new pathway for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. And through our collaboration with LINK of Newport News, we provided health care support for the local homeless population, making a difference where it’s needed most.
At Riverside, 2024 has been about more than just achievements—it’s been about connecting with and caring for our community. Whether you’re a team member, a community partner, a patient, or a visitor, we’re grateful for the role you’ve played in this incredible journey.
Before we turn the page to 2025, we invite you to join us in reflecting on the stories that defined this year. Take a look at the top 10 moments that resonated most with our community in our newsroom. Thank you for trusting Riverside with your care—and for being part of our story.
10. Riverside Health and City of Newport News Partner with LINK of Hampton Roads Winter Shelter to Provide Health Care for the Homeless
To better support the health needs of the homeless population in the local community, Riverside Health and the City of Newport News have partnered with LINK of Hampton Roads’ People Offering Resources Together (PORT) winter shelter. The partnership ensures a registered nurse will be available on-site, 7 days a week, during the winter shelter season from November to March to offer residents health screenings, care for minor illnesses and provide referrals for additional care if necessary.
9. Riverside Smithfield Hospital Names 7 to Advisory Board
To help ensure the new hospital best serves the community's needs, Riverside Health has appointed seven members to the inaugural Riverside Smithfield Hospital (RSH) Advisory Board. The board is composed of leaders and community members from diverse groups in Isle of Wight County, Smithfield, Surry County and parts of Suffolk.The RSH advisory board will work alongside hospital leadership to develop strategic goals that align with Riverside’s mission and the evolving needs of the community.
8. Riverside Regional Medical Center Earns Magnet Designation from American Nurse Credentialing Center
Riverside Regional Medical Center (RRMC) has earned Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the global gold standard for nursing excellence. This marks the first Magnet designation for any of Riverside’s four acute care hospitals. Achieving Magnet status requires meeting rigorous criteria for nursing practices and delivering high-quality patient care.
7. Riverside Health Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for New Medical Office Building at RDHW
In April, Riverside celebrated the opening of a new 67,000 square foot medical office building on the campus of Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg. The new space houses over 30 medical and surgical specialists, including office and rehabilitation space for physical therapy, orthopedics, internal medicine, endocrinology, pulmonology, women’s health, vascular and general surgery.
6. Riverside Health Opens Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic
To combat the rising number of maternal morbidity and mortality and pre-term birth rates in eastern Virginia, Riverside Health established Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialists, located on the campus of Riverside Regional Medical Center. The specialty office is designed to offer comprehensive support for patients with complex or high-risk pregnancy conditions such as gestational diabetes, multiple gestation, placenta or umbilical anomaly or other pre-existing medical conditions that can cause pregnancy complications.
5. Two Riverside Neurosurgeons Named to Newsweek’s 2024 List of Best Spine Surgeons in the U.S.
Dean Kostov, M.D., and William McAllister, M.D., were named to Newsweek’s List of Best Spine Surgeons in the U.S., the rankings utilized Medicare data that evaluated the quality-of-care ratings by surgeons’ peers. The 150 named surgeons represent the 20 states with the highest rate of practicing physicians in this specialty, making this an exclusive and highly competitive list.
4. Medicine-By-Drone Demonstration Helps Health Program Soar on Tangier Island
In October, Riverside Health, in partnership with Virginia Institute for Spaceflight & Autonomy, DroneUp, and the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, successfully completed a 17-mile drone flight from Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital to Tangier Island and back.
3. Riverside Smithfield Hospital Names First Chief Medical Officer, First Chief Nursing Officer
Justin Billings, M.D., and Michelle Wooten, MSA, BSN, RN, have been named the first Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, respectively, of Riverside Smithfield Hospital.
Dr. Billings, who is board certified in internal medicine, joined Riverside in 2019 as a hospitalist at Riverside Regional Medical Center (RRMC) and currently serves as Associate Medical Director of Hospitalists at RRMC. Michelle Wooten is currently serving as the Chief Nursing Officer at Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg and brings over 30 years of nursing leadership experience.
2. City of Newport News Commits $1.4 Million Annually to Expand Riverside Health’s Hand in Hand Program
Riverside Health and the City of Newport News have announced the expansion of the Hand in Hand Program, a hospital-based violence intervention program (HVIP) launched in 2019. Backed by a $1.4 million annual commitment from Newport News, the program will broaden its scope to include victims of domestic violence in addition to those affected by gun violence, stabbings and physical assault. The program aims to provide an extensive network of resources to support victims.
1. RRMC Emergency Department Receives Prestigious Lantern Award from Emergency Nurses Association
Riverside Regional Medical Center (RRMC) has earned the prestigious Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), recognizing its commitment to safe, efficient care, positive patient outcomes and a supportive work environment. RRMC is one of two facilities in the state to receive this honor.
We thank you for choosing us for your care in 2024!