Many of us are familiar with the term “Food Desert”— areas with limited access to plentiful, affordable, or nutrient dense foodstuffs. Conversely, we may not be as familiar with the term “Medical Desert,” where access to healthcare services and facilities essential in a hospital setting may not be readily available. Smithfield and surrounding Isle of Wight County areas residents may be required to drive excessive distances to receive hospital care, with Surry residents in some cases being an hour from a hospital. Riverside Regional Medical Center (RRMC) is solving that problem with its newly contracted hospital currently being staffed in preparation for its 2026 opening. Riverside Smithfield Hospital (RSH), a private tax-exempt hospital situated on 27 beautifully landscaped acres purchased by Riverside, will offer expanded and more convenient care to Isle of Wight County residents.
Construction of the new Riverside Smithfield Hospital, a three-story, approximately 200,000-square-foot facility began in September 2023. The 50-bed acute care facility will include an emergency department, four operating rooms, 10 ICU beds and 34 medical/surgical beds. Simultaneously, construction began on the approximately 27,000-square-foot Jamison-Longford Medical Office Building on the same campus, offering gastroenterology, surgical suites, orthopedic and sports medicine and more.
As chief medical officer of the new hospital, Dr. Justin Billings is a dedicated hospitalist who currently serves as the associate medical director of hospitalist service at RRMC. Billings is board certified in internal medicine and his commitment to his patients, and to Riverside, made him the top choice for RSH. During the transition period from RRMC to RSH, Billings will actively participate in development, planning and hiring for the new hospital.
Born in Virginia Beach to an active-duty military family, 38-year-old Billings was raised in Williamsburg and received his Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University, his Doctor of Medicine from the American University of the Caribbean, his Master of Health Administration from The George Washington University and his Master of Science in biomedical sciences.
Billings has been interested in medicine and public service since his teen years and was a paramedic in Richmond before beginning his career as a medical doctor. He has been a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America and a Basic Life Support instructor with the American Heart Association. In addition, he is a member of the Advisory Steering Committee with the Society of Hospital Medicine and a member of the American Medical Student Association.
therapy dog trainee.
Billings and his wife Bailey, an RN at RRMC’s emergency department and winner of the prestigious Daisy Award, have three children and two dogs. And his family’s dedication to public service extends to their dog Poptart, an 11-month-old Golden Retriever currently training as a hospital therapy dog. Part of a group of therapy dogs at Riverside facilities, Poptart will be the first therapy dog to greet new patients at RSH.
As one of the four top leaders of the new hospital who live and will now work in the Smithfield community, Billings is eager to meet his neighbors and serve the community of which he is a part. As a devoted doctor and administrator, his community can be assured of receiving the best care Riverside can offer.
TO THE POINT:
Riverside Smithfield Hospital
Address: 19339 Benn’s Grant Blvd., Smithfield, VA 23430
Progress/Updates: facebook.com/RiversideSmithfieldHospital
Contact: Dr. Justin Billings
Riverside Regional Medical Center
Address: 500 J Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601
Phone: 757-594-2000
