FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — The future of healthcare in the Fredericksburg region took center stage Wednesday morning as two hospital leaders addressed growth, challenges, and innovation — including the possibility of Northern Virginia’s first medical school.
The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted its “Regionalism Matters: State of Healthcare” forum at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. The program featured Dr. Christopher Newman, President and CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare, and Ryan DeWeese, Chief Executive Officer of Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center.
Medical school proposal
Newman informed the audience that Mary Washington and the University of Mary Washington are exploring the establishment of a new medical school, which could open as early as 2029. He called on business leaders, charities, and elected officials to support the effort.
Virginia Business recently reported that Newman confirmed the project is in “serious planning stages” after a national feasibility study found it viable. The boards of Mary Washington Healthcare and UMW are expected to consider the proposal in 2026. The plan would also require approval from the State Council of Higher Education and the Virginia General Assembly.
Mary Washington broke ground in June on a $40 million, 39,000-square-foot conference and education center across from its hospital. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the building will serve as a residence for residency programs and may also house medical school classrooms and simulation labs.
Growing demand, shrinking workforce
Newman described the Fredericksburg region as one of Virginia’s fastest-growing communities, with population growth of more than 55 percent since 2000. He warned that the area faces a physician shortage so severe “you would have an easier time finding a primary care doc in rural Wyoming or South Dakota than you would in the Fredericksburg region.”
He cited a shortage of nurses and other licensed professionals, even as Mary Washington’s residency program expands to train as many as 200 physicians. “We want to bring a medical school here. We want to continue to grow and bring first-class care,” Newman told attendees.
He also pointed to Mary Washington’s trauma program, which he said is now the busiest in Virginia — busier than VCU Medical Center in Richmond.
Technology and workforce strain
Newman said artificial intelligence and robotics are already reshaping local care, from chatbots guiding patients through the system to robots delivering medications to caregivers. Still, he noted, the long-term challenge is people: “We need more people to take care of people.”
Healthcare workers are aging and burning out, he said, while a smaller future workforce must serve a larger patient population. “It’s rewarding work. You’ll have a job, and you’ll feel good about what you do every day,” Newman said, urging more students to enter health careers.
Spotsylvania Regional weighs in
DeWeese, who oversees HCA’s Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, stressed the strain on the insurance marketplace and the need to maintain access to care. “During COVID, people lost their jobs, they lost their insurance, and they were coming to the hospital so much sicker,” DeWeese said. “It’s not about making money. It’s about protecting access to the healthcare system. We are the helpers. We will always help. But we can only help when someone shows up and asks for help.”
No comment after the speech
After delivering a 15-minute presentation, Newman declined to answer questions from Potomac Local News and FXBG Advance about the hospital’s plans. His hired spokesperson stepped in to block further inquiries.
