📍 A case of measles was confirmed earlier this week in Hampton Roads — the 4th in Virginia this year.
Measles isn’t “just a rash.” It’s one of the most contagious diseases out there. Dr. Torry Pledger, Primary Care Physician with Riverside Patriot Primary Care, is breaking down 5 of the biggest myths about measles — from symptoms and spread to the truth about vaccines.
👉 Read the full article here:
Measles Facts: Busting 5 Dangerous Myths About Symptoms, Spread, and Vaccination
09/04/2025
✨ Leadership is growing strong Riverside Smithfield Hospital!
This week, they welcomed their newest leaders with a day full of introductions, team-building, and inspiration as they prepare to open in January 2026. 💚
We’re excited to see how these leaders will help shape the future of care in the Smithfield community.
09/03/2025
This year, all four Riverside hospitals earned the 2025 Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Award from the American Heart Association. This national recognition reflects our teams’ commitment to providing fast, effective, and evidence-based stroke care that improves outcomes and helps our patients live fuller, healthier lives.
From the emergency room to rehabilitation, our team goes above and beyond every day to ensure stroke patients receive the highest quality care when it matters most.
👏 Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement and thanking the physicians, nurses, therapists, and team members whose dedication made it possible.
👉 Read the full story:
Riverside Health Recognized by American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for Excellence in Stroke Care
09/02/2025
Labor Day may be behind us, but the busy season is just beginning 🍂 From school routines to work schedules, it’s easy to feel like you need a reset.
At MD Express Yorktown— one of many of our urgent care locations — our team is here to keep you moving forward this fall.
👉 After a holiday weekend, what helps you feel more like yourself again — extra sleep 💤 or plenty of water 💧? Tell us in the comments!
Labor Day is all about celebrating the hard work and dedication of workers across the country and we are especially thankful for our remarkable team members at Riverside. Your commitment to providing exceptional care, day in and day out, truly embodies the spirit of this holiday.
Your passion and perseverance reflect what Labor Day is all about—honoring those who give their all to make a difference. To all our team members, please know how much we appreciate your unwavering dedication today and everyday.
➡️ Swipe to see some of the faces of those who make our mission possible! 📸
08/28/2025
💚 Lifelong Health in action: Small details, big impact.
Meet Tina Patterson, LPN — a dedicated member of our Evergreen Memory Care team at Warwick Forest Senior Living Facility. For nearly four years, Tina has supported residents and families with compassion, laughter, and heartfelt moments. With specialized dementia care training, she’s passionate about helping residents feel at home every day.
One way the team does this is through shadow boxes — personalized displays filled with photos and keepsakes placed outside each resident’s room. These small touches help residents recognize their space, spark memories, and encourage connection with staff, neighbors, and loved ones.
“Each person in memory care is unique in their own special way… I love what I do, and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else or with any other group of people.” Tina says. 💚
Thank you to Tina and the entire Evergreen Memory Care team for the compassion, dedication, and heart you bring to our residents and families every day. 💚
08/27/2025
✨ What does a day in the life of an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Critical Care Fellow look like?
Meet Natasha Olavarria, NP, one of our APP Fellows at Riverside Regional Medical Center. Her days are filled with chart reviews in the “fishbowl,” bedside check-ins, interdisciplinary rounds, family meetings, and afternoon didactic learning. She also trains in our SIM lab to sharpen her skills for high-stakes situations. 🩺
Through our APP Fellowship, we’re preparing the next generation of nurse practitioners and physician assistants with advanced clinical training, mentorship, and leadership development—so they can deliver the highest-quality care to our community. 🌟
💙 Every September, we recognize Prostate Cancer Awareness Month — a time to highlight the importance of awareness and early detection.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, but early detection makes all the difference. 💪
Riverside is proud to offer three FREE prostate cancer screening events this September for men in our community. These screenings are quick, simple, and can provide peace of mind while helping catch cancer early, when it is most treatable.
Screenings available in:
📍Gloucester
📍Newport News
📍Eastern Shore
Take a proactive step for your health and your future. Learn more and sign up today.
To encourage patients to get screened, Riverside is hosting 4 free prostate cancer screenings in September
08/25/2025
📚✏️ Back to school means more than pencils and notebooks—it’s also about life-saving lessons.
When it comes to stroke, time matters. That’s why we’ve partnered with the City of Newport News on the Stroke Smart City initiative—making sure more people can recognize the signs and call 911 right away.
This week, our Stroke Coordinator, Nicole Duck, RN, met with Newport News PE teachers to share fun, hands-on activities that help students learn the BE FAST stroke signs. From balance drills to tongue twisters, kids will gain knowledge that could save lives—and bring those lessons home to their families. 🧠
To our new students: Welcome to the Riverside family! We are so excited to watch you learn and grow this semester. ✨
To our returning students: It's great to have you back! Let's make this semester the best one yet! 🙌
08/21/2025
What started as a normal day of football conditioning became a life-or-death moment.💚🏈
When a student-athlete collapsed, Jeff Wiseman, certified athletic trainer (ATC) with Riverside Sports Medicine, sprang into action—performing CPR, activating the school’s Emergency Action Plan, and working with coaches and first responders to save the student’s life.
Thanks to their quick action and teamwork, this young athlete is expected to make a full recovery.
👏 Let’s hear it for Jeff and everyone who stepped up in that critical moment! Drop your thanks or applause in the comments.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Riverside posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
The original charter for Riverside dates back to December 15, 1915. The company began as one hospital, founded by the community and built on a site at Huntington Avenue and 50th Street in Newport News, Virginia. In 1962, the hospital was relocated to the present site of Riverside Regional Medical Center in central Newport News. Since then, Riverside has evolved into a flagship regional medical center with affiliates throughout the region in every aspect of healthcare.
Riverside is a 501c(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health and saving lives. Riverside Health System is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, as is each of the Riverside affiliates throughout the region.
Through the dedication and tireless energy of our employees, physicians and volunteers, we assure that the needs of the community are met in every Riverside endeavor.
Service Area
Eastern Virginia including: cities of Gloucester, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Richmond, Tappahannock, West Point, Williamsburg and Yorktown; Eastern Shore Area of Virginia; Counties of Essex, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Richmond and Surry.
Major Accreditations, Affiliations, Approvals and Memberships
Facilities within Riverside Health System are licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia under the appropriate licensing statutes. In addition, Riverside facilities have the following accreditations or memberships:
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
American Association of Blood Banks
American Health Care Association
American Hospital Association
American Medical Association (Continuing Medical Education)
American Society of Health System Pharmacists (Riverside Regional Medical Center Pharmacy Practice Residency Program)
Chamber of Commerce
CHAMPUS
College of American Pathologists: Laboratory, Nuclear Medicine, Respiratory Therapy
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (Riverside Rehabilitation Institute)
Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons (Cancer Program)
Community Health Accreditation Program, Riverside Home Care, Riverside Hospice, Riverside Home Infusion and Pharmacy
Hospice Association of America (HAA), Riverside Hospice
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, Accreditation, Riverside School of Radiologic Technology
Liaison Council on Certification for Surgical Technologist (LCC-ST), National Merit Award, Riverside School of Surgical Technology
Medicare Certified, Riverside Home Health, Riverside Hospice
National Association of Home Care, Riverside Home Health, Riverside Hospice
National Hospice Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), Riverside Hospice
National League of Nursing
Peninsula Emergency Services Council
Residency Review Committee of the American Medical Association
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Medicare)
Virginia Association for Home Care (VAHC), Riverside Home Health
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
Virginia Health Care Association
Virginia Health Quality Center (VHQC), Riverside Home Health
Virginia Hospice Association (VHA), Riverside Hospice
Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association
Education Affiliations
Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical College of Hampton Roads
Old Dominion University
Hampton University
Thomas Nelson Community College
Christopher Newport University
Rappahannock Community College
Newport News Public Schools
Other Relationships
Riverside Health System is a member of the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) and holds a voting seat in the MSV House of Delegates. Riverside is the only hospital or health system member invited to participate as a voting member in this organization. This affiliation is evidence of Riverside's credibility with its physician partners.
Riverside Health System is a participating hospital with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Riverside Health System is a partner in the Virginia Health Network (VHN) with eight other hospitals and health systems in the Hampton Roads and Richmond areas of Virginia. The system owns 35.1% of this for-profit Preferred Provider Organization. VHN contracts with payors, mostly health insurance companies and self-insured employers, to utilize VHN hospitals and physicians as the exclusive providers in their managed care programs.
