Chesapeake Regional Medical Center

36°44′45″N 76°14′46″W / 36.7457°N 76.2462°W / 36.7457; -76.2462

Hospital in Virginia, United States

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
Chesapeake Regional Healthcare

Geography
Location	Chesapeake, Virginia, United States
Services
Beds	330
History
Opened	1976
Links
Lists	Hospitals in Virginia

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare is a health system laser-focused on innovation, known for making medical history in the region and providing patients with truly personal care. Its hospital, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, is a non-state-owned public hospital created by the General Assembly in response to citizens advocating for needed access to healthcare services. It is the only independent, community-based acute care hospital in Hampton Roads. With the best heart attack survival rates of the major systems in the region, a new open heart care program, state-of-the-art neuro-interventional suite, comprehensive cancer care, and the most preferred Labor & Delivery program in the area, Chesapeake Regional provides its community with high-quality care that patients know and trust. A nationally accredited Chest Pain Center, Magnet Recognized ® for nursing excellence, and named one of the Best Hospitals of 2024 by Money.com, it received several 5-star ratings from Healthgrades and a 2024 Patient Safety Excellence Award, placing the hospital among the top 10% in the nation for patient safety. With more than 600 physicians and over 75 specialties across 50 locations, Chesapeake Regional’s technologically advanced health care saves lives every day. Learn more at ChesapeakeRegional.com.

History

During the 1960s, citizens and physicians in Chesapeake, Virginia decided they needed a hospital in the city so they would not have to drive all the way to Norfolk for care. Dr. Stanley Jennings, a Chesapeake physician, began a grassroots effort to establish Chesapeake General Hospital in the fledgling city.^[1] In 1966, the Virginia General Assembly created the Chesapeake Hospital Authority which is responsible for the operation of Chesapeake General Hospital. Although the Authority members are appointed by the Chesapeake City Council, it is an autonomous organization with its own enabling legislation.^[2]

In the early 1970s, after gaining the cooperation of city officials, community members began door-to-door solicitations and organized benefit sporting events, cake sales, dinners and other fundraisers to raise $1.2 million for the hospital's construction.^[3] The city's newly established Chesapeake Housing Authority secured additional funding through a $1 million Hill-Burton federal grant.^[4] In 1973, construction began on the hospital. Newly appointed CEO Donald S. Buckley began operating out of a trailer at the construction site on Battlefield Boulevard in the city.^[5] Chesapeake General Hospital first opened its doors on Jan. 26, 1976.^[6] Donald Buckley served as president/CEO until his retirement in 2005.^[7]

In 2005, Chris Mosley was appointed President & CEO of Chesapeake General Hospital.^[8] In 2007, Chris Mosley undertook an extensive rebranding and decided on Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, "to more accurately reflect the span of the organization's services and patient base...".^[9] When Mosley left CRMC in 2010, Wynn Dixon was selected as his successor.^[8]

By 2010, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center had grown to include its 310-bed anchor hospital, the Sidney M. Oman Cancer Center, the Breast Center, the Diagnostic Center of Chesapeake, The BirthPlace, the Surgery Center of Chesapeake, The Lifestyle Center for fitness and health, two sleep centers, an assisted living facility (Cedar Manor Assisted Living Center), home health and hospice program and a physicians' practice group.^[7] Chesapeake Regional is also a partner in the 19-bed Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head, North Carolina, with University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina. In 2010, the emergency department received more than 65,000 visits.^[10]

Peter Bastone joined CRMC in 2013 as President & CEO^[11] and rebranded the health system to Chesapeake Regional Healthcare in order to better represent the services offered beyond the hospital building.^[12]

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center employs approximately 2,400 employees and has a medical staff of 600. It is governed by the Chesapeake Hospital Authority, made up of 11 members appointed by the Chesapeake City Council.

Reese Jackson is the current President and CEO of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare. He took on this role in December 2016, succeeding Dr. Alton Stocks, who served as interim president and CEO earlier that year. Jackson brought with him more than two decades of experience in healthcare leadership, previously serving as president and CEO of Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Pennsylvania (Virginia Business) (Becker's Hospital Review).

Under Jackson's leadership, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare has seen significant advancements. Some of his notable achievements include the construction of the Richard S. Bray Critical Care Tower, the renovation and expansion of the Priority Toyota Cancer Center, and the implementation of COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics. His efforts have contributed to the hospital earning a four-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (Chesapeake Regional).

Jackson's educational background includes a Master’s degree in Health Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and a law degree from the University of Richmond. His leadership style emphasizes authenticity, financial acumen, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to community service (Virginia Business) (Becker's Hospital Review).

In recognition of his contributions, Jackson was awarded the 2022 First Citizen of Chesapeake, an honor given to individuals who exemplify the spirit of citizenship and have shown significant leadership in enhancing the quality of life in the city (Chesapeake Regional).

In January 2020, Chesapeake Regional began a three-year Master Facility Plan Expansion Project to grow strategically important services to better meet community needs. The 72,000 square foot, $85 million expansion project includes cardiac and surgical additions, renovations to the obstetrical unit and expansion of the Sidney M. Oman cancer treatment center.^[13]

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare (CRH) has been recognized for its innovative approaches and excellence in healthcare. Here are some of their latest innovations, awards, and updates:

Innovations

1. First Fully Robotic Cardiac Catheterization Lab : CRH boasts the world's first fully robotic cardiac catheterization lab, which enhances precision and patient outcomes during procedures.

2. Heart Flow Analysis : CRH was the first in Hampton Roads to offer this non-invasive method for diagnosing heart disease, providing advanced care for cardiac patients.

3. Chesapeake Rx : In response to a community need, CRH opened Chesapeake Rx, a neighborhood pharmacy providing accessible, patient-centered care in South Norfolk (Chesapeake Regional) (Chesapeake Regional).

Awards and Accreditations

1. Cancer Care Accreditations :

- National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers

- American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence

- Breast MRI Accreditation from the American College of Radiology (Chesapeake Regional).

2. Cardiology Excellence :

- Best heart attack survival rate in Hampton Roads, as reported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

- NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology.

- Certification from the American Association of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation for their cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs (Chesapeake Regional).

3. Community and Workforce Initiatives :

- CRH’s Summer Externship and Scholarship Program offers on-the-job training and mentorship to local high school seniors, fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals.

- Health Care Hero Awards recognized several CRH staff members for their outstanding contributions and dedication to patient care (Chesapeake Regional) (Chesapeake Regional).

Updates

1. Expansion of Services : CRH continues to expand its services to meet community needs, including specialized programs for veterans and comprehensive diabetes education accredited by the American Diabetes Association.

2. Emergency Response and Preparedness : Staff members have been recognized for their life-saving efforts and quick response in emergencies, highlighting CRH's commitment to safety and excellence in care (Chesapeake Regional) (Chesapeake Regional).

These highlights reflect Chesapeake Regional Healthcare's commitment to innovation, excellence in patient care, and community support. For more detailed information, you can visit their official website here https://chesapeakeregional.com/.

References

^ Raymond L. Harper, Chesapeake Virginia (Acadia Publishing, Charleston SC, 2008) 122
^ Virginia Division of Legislative Services website "Chesapeake Hospital Authority 1966 Acts of Assembly, c. 271." PDF downloaded 1-6-2011
^ The Ledger Star - Norfolk, Va. (10-27-1972) "Chesapeake drive for hospital opens"
^ "Hands to knock for hospital". The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk. May 20, 1973.
^ "Office and fund drive open for hospital". The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk.
^ Geske, Bob (January 25, 1976). "4,000 On Hand for Hospital Dedication". The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk.
^ ^a ^b Stein, Tony (January 14, 2005). "The Buckley Stops Here". The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk.
^ ^a ^b Saewitz, Mike; Jeter, Amy (January 8, 2010). "After five years, head of Chesapeake hospital resigns abruptly". The Virginian-Pilot. Chesapeake. Retrieved January 5, 2017. Mosley became the organization's second chief executive officer in its nearly 30-year history when he took over from Donald Buckley in 2005.
^ "Chesapeake General Hospital - A History of Healing". issuu. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
^ Saewitz, Mike (April 16, 2020). "Turf fight over proposed Chesapeake ER heats up". The Virginian-Pilot. Chesapeake. Retrieved December 28, 2010. Chesapeake Regional's emergency department already handles more than 65,000 visits per year, making it the busiest in Hampton Roads.
^ "Bastone tapped for Chesapeake Regional CEO post". Modern Healthcare. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
^ formadmin (2015-09-21). "CHESAPEAKE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER ANNOUNCES NEW SYSTEM NAME AND REBRANDING". chesapeakeregional.com. Archived from the original on 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
^ "Hospital Beings $85 Million Expansion Project". Archived from the original on 2020-09-28.