Chesterfield County Set to Expand Healthcare Access with Three Modern Hospital Projects

Chesterfield County, Virginia, is poised for a significant expansion of its healthcare infrastructure with the approval of three major hospital projects – two new hospitals and an expansion of an existing facility – representing a combined investment of approximately $672 million. The projects, spearheaded by VCU Health, Bon Secours, and HCA Healthcare, aim to address the growing healthcare needs of one of Virginia’s fastest-growing localities.

VCU Health Plans 66-Bed Hospital Near Chesterfield Government Complex

VCU Health received approval to construct a 66-bed hospital near the Chesterfield government complex at 7220 Beach Road. The $306 million project, expected to be completed by late May 2030, will feature a range of services including:

• 42 medical/surgical beds
• 6 pediatric beds
• 6 obstetric beds
• 12 ICU beds
• Six general-purpose operating rooms
• A CT scanner
• An MRI scanner
• A cardiac catheterization lab
• Intermediate-level nursery services

VCU Health plans to fund the 203,000-square-foot hospital with a 50-50 split of reserves and bond financing. The project is adjacent to a $90 million medical office building and ambulatory surgery center currently under construction, slated to open in 2027. VCU Health stated the approval demonstrates the need for increased access to care in the region.

Bon Secours to Add 40 Beds to St. Francis Medical Center

Bon Secours received approval to add 40 acute-care beds to its existing St. Francis Medical Center near Brandermill. The $106 million expansion will bring the hospital’s total licensed bed count to 225. The new beds will be housed in a 58,400-square-foot, two-story addition expected to be completed by mid-September 2029, funded through Bon Secours’ reserves. Bon Secours highlighted the project as a key step in keeping pace with Chesterfield County’s population growth.

This expansion follows a previous $108 million project that added 55 acute-care beds to St. Francis Medical Center. Bon Secours is also constructing a 90,000-square-foot medical office building and surgical center on the St. Francis campus, expected to open later this year.

HCA Healthcare to Build 60-Bed Magnolia Hospital

HCA Healthcare received approval to construct a 60-bed hospital near Moseley, dubbed Magnolia Hospital. The $260 million, 135,300-square-foot facility will include:

• 54 medical/surgical beds
• 6 ICU beds
• Four general-purpose operating rooms
• An MRI scanner
• A CT scanner

HCA plans to fund the project with internal resources and anticipates completion by mid-October 2029. The hospital will be part of the 200-acre Nunnally Village mixed-utilize development at the intersection of Otterdale and Hull Street roads. Equipment, including beds and operating rooms, will be relocated from other HCA facilities in the region, including Retreat Doctors’ Hospital and Johnston-Willis Hospital. Swift Creek ER will be closed upon the opening of Magnolia Hospital. Virginia Business reported that state health officials endorsed the relocation of existing beds to improve bed distribution.

State Approval and Certificate of Public Need

All three projects were reviewed under Virginia’s Certificate of Public Need (COPN) program, which regulates healthcare facilities to ensure public need, contain costs, and ensure patient access and financial viability. State Health Commissioner B. Cameron Webb, appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger in January 2026, approved the proposals, citing demonstrated need and considerable community support. B. Cameron Webb, MD, JD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician, attorney, and public health expert.

While VCU Health and Bon Secours projects were recommended for approval by Virginia Department of Health staff, the HCA proposal initially received a recommendation for denial.

Chesterfield County’s Growing Population Drives Healthcare Demand

The expansion of healthcare facilities in Chesterfield County is driven by the area’s rapid population growth. Chesterfield County had an estimated population of approximately 401,300 in July 2025, a 10% increase from 364,500 in April 2020, according to data from the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center.