One year after breaking ground, construction continues on Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital’s $370 million expansion, the largest investment in the hospital since it opened in 1966. As St. Mary’s Hospital also celebrates 60 years of serving the Richmond community, the project is modernizing patient care and expanding access to critical care services across the region. With all-private rooms, a near doubling of the intensive care unit, an increase in the number of bassinets in the neonatal intensive care unit, a rooftop helipad, smart-hospital technology and even several hundred extra parking spaces, this transformation will strengthen centers of excellence across cardiology, neurology, oncology, neonatology and intensive care.
“It’s an expansion that is redefining the way the facility delivers high-quality care to the community,” said Bridget Fitzpatrick, chief operating officer for St. Mary’s Hospital. “This project allows us to elevate and expand our clinical work. With state-of-the-art technology, we’re bringing our infrastructure in line with the excellence of our team, and as we grow, this new technology will allow us to continue to attract and recruit top talent.”
At the heart of the effort, Fitzpatrick said, is the new eight-story Critical Care Tower, a transformative addition that reflects Bon Secours’ commitment to innovation, comfort and compassionate care. The tower is the centerpiece of the campus transformation, positioning the hospital to meet the region’s growing healthcare needs for generations to come.
Some of the highlights of the new tower include:
- An 80% increase in adult ICU beds
- 200,000 square feet of new construction and 90,000 square feet of renovation to the existing facility
- Expansion of the neonatal intensive care unit from 21 to 31 bassinets with private rooms and capacity for multiples in rooms
- A dedicated neuroscience ICU and cardiovascular ICU to expand Bon Secours’ comprehensive stroke program and cardiac surgery program
- The first hospital in Bon Secours’ Richmond market to implement smart hospital technology, using AI in coordination with providers, nurses and staff to elevate the patient experience.
The Critical Care Tower is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. Following completion of the tower, renovations to existing hospital spaces will begin and are expected to be completed by the end of 2029.
In addition to the tower, the current expansion features a new radiation oncology clinic that opened in June and offers significant advancements in precision medical technology and patient-centered care. The 10,700-square-foot clinic expansion includes additional treatment rooms and advanced technologies that are already improving the patient experience.
The space includes a state-of-the-art linear accelerator, an advanced machine that delivers targeted, high-energy X-ray beams to destroy cancer cells, equipped with Varian HyperSight imaging technology. The Varian HyperSight allows clinicians to see tumors and surrounding tissue with greater clarity during treatment, improving targeting accuracy and enabling real-time adjustments to care plans.
The radiation unit has dedicated exam and imaging rooms to protect patient privacy and reduce the stress of treatment. Fitzpatrick said that consolidating the imaging, planning and treatment spaces under one roof creates a more seamless care experience for the patient.
“The overall aesthetics of the new unit also brings a lot of peace and calm for patients going through a difficult time,” she said. “Patients typically come in Monday through Friday for several weeks, so the clinic was designed to feel like a refuge: a beautiful mural, soft lighting and warm colors that support their emotional, physical and spiritual healing.”
The project also involves moving the helipad from the ground level to the rooftop, which will help streamline care by allowing patients to be transferred privately and more efficiently to the OR, ER or other appropriate treatment area upon arrival. Fitzpatrick said the current location requires security to monitor pedestrian and vehicular traffic whenever a helicopter arrives.
If you’re interested in supporting the hospital expansion, you can donate to the Campaign for St. Mary’s Hospital-Generations of Good Help through the Bon Secours Richmond Healthcare Foundation. For more information about the St. Mary’s Hospital expansion, visit bonsecours.com/st-marys-expansion.
