Chesapeake Regional Medical Center

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center is a full-service hospital located in Chesapeake, Virginia, within the Hampton Roads metropolitan region. The facility serves as a primary resource for emergency care, specialized treatments, and community health services across the Southside of Hampton Roads. With more than 300 licensed beds and departments spanning cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, and pediatrics, it functions as a major destination for both routine and urgent medical needs across southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. The hospital operates under the parent organization Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, a nonprofit health system that also oversees outpatient clinics and ancillary services throughout the region.

History

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center traces its origins to the mid-20th century, when the need for a dedicated healthcare facility in the growing Chesapeake area became evident. Initially established as a small community hospital in the 1970s, the center expanded in response to population growth and advances in medical science. A key moment came in the 1990s, when the hospital affiliated with a regional healthcare network, allowing it to invest in new technology and broaden its services to include cardiac care and cancer treatment.

The medical center continued to evolve through the 2000s and 2010s. A 2015 upgrade added a new emergency department and a surgical services wing. In recent years, the center has also worked to bring telemedicine and digital health tools into its care model, aiming to improve access for rural and underserved populations across the region.

Not without controversy. Beginning in the late 2010s and continuing through the mid-2020s, the hospital became the subject of major litigation tied to the conduct of former OB-GYN Dr. Javaid Perwaiz, who was convicted of performing unnecessary surgeries on patients over many years. The lawsuit grew substantially. As of 2024, the case had expanded to more than 900 plaintiffs, with claimants alleging that hospital administrators knew or should have known about Perwaiz's conduct and failed to act. The combined damages sought by plaintiffs exceeded $5 billion. The litigation represents one of the largest medical malpractice-related lawsuits in Virginia history and has drawn sustained coverage from local and regional news outlets including WAVY, WTKR, and 13News Now.

Geography

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center sits within the city of Chesapeake, Virginia, on the Southside of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. Hampton Roads, historically known as Tidewater, is informally divided into two geographic zones: the Peninsula, which includes cities like Hampton and Newport News, and the Southside, which includes Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Portsmouth. The hospital's position on the Southside places it within close reach of the region's largest population centers.

The facility is accessible via major roadways including Interstate 64 and U.S. Route 17, serving patients from surrounding independent cities such as Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Portsmouth, as well as residents of Currituck County and other communities in northeastern North Carolina. Norfolk and Newport News are independent cities under Virginia law, not counties. That distinction matters when describing the hospital's service area, which crosses both political and state boundaries.

The campus spans more than 100 acres and includes parking facilities, pedestrian pathways, and connections to public transit routes. Its location near key transportation corridors in southern Hampton Roads makes it a practical option for patients across a wide geographic area.

Awards and Recognition

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center was named a Best Hospital for 2025-2026 by U.S. News & World Report, ranking third in the Hampton Roads region and twelfth in Virginia out of 90 evaluated hospitals statewide. The hospital has also been recognized for community engagement. Chesapeake Regional Healthcare was named to the Civic 50, a program that identifies the most community-minded companies in the United States.

Education

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center plays a role in clinical training for healthcare professionals in the Hampton Roads region. The facility partners with institutions including Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School to provide training opportunities for medical students, residents, and nursing staff across a range of specialties, from emergency medicine to surgical care.

Beyond formal training programs, the medical center runs community education and public health initiatives. It hosts workshops on topics including diabetes management, cardiovascular health, and behavioral wellness, often working alongside local health departments and community organizations. Outreach extends to underserved populations through mobile clinics and school-based health programs, reflecting the hospital's stated focus on preventive care and reducing barriers to access.

Outpatient Expansion

In recent years, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare has expanded its footprint beyond the main hospital campus. The health system opened a new outpatient facility offering urgent care and other ambulatory services, designed to provide patients with faster access to care outside of the emergency department setting. The move reflects a broader trend in regional healthcare toward decentralizing services and meeting patients closer to where they live.

Demographics

The patient population at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center reflects the complex demographics of the Hampton Roads region, a mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities spread across two states. The hospital serves a significant number of patients from low-income households and minority communities, positioning it as a safety-net provider for parts of the Southside. That role has shaped how the facility approaches care delivery, with language assistance programs and culturally specific outreach efforts built into its operations.

The center has implemented programs aimed at improving maternal health outcomes in communities with higher rates of preterm births and infant mortality. It also works with local nonprofits to provide free or reduced-cost care for uninsured patients, working to keep financial barriers from blocking access to essential services. These efforts reflect the hospital's stated mission of addressing health disparities across its service area.