On January 6 2026 at 0824 Medic 64 staffed by Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad and Isle of Wight Fire Rescue staff transported the first patient to our new hospital, Riverside Smithfield Hospital.
As of this moment, Riverside Smithfield Hospital is officially open and accepting patients. EMS units from Isle of Wight County, Surry County, and Suffolk are now transporting to this facility under standard protocols.
Today is more than an operational milestone, it is a defining moment in the history of Isle of Wight County. For the first time ever, our community has a hospital of its own. A resource that will bring comfort in crisis, care in moments of uncertainty, and hope when seconds matter most.
Bringing a hospital to Isle of Wight has taken vision, persistence, and a belief that our community deserves the highest level of care close to home. We want to give special recognition to Chief Brian Carroll of the Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad and Battalion Chief Will Drewery of Isle of Wight Fire Rescue From the very beginning, they worked side by side to push this project forward; through challenges, through setbacks, and through countless hours of planning and coordination. Their commitment and their hearts are woven into this moment.
To every partner agency, every leader, and every responder across Isle of Wight County, Surry County, and the City of Suffolk who supported this effort: thank you for helping build something that will truly change lives.
Today, our community grows stronger.