Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb has approved three major hospital projects in rapidly growing Chesterfield County, committing a combined $672 million in investment and adding more than 160 new beds to the local healthcare system.

The approvals — issued under the state’s Certificate of Public Need program — clear the way for VCU Health to build a new hospital, HCA Healthcare to construct its Magnolia Hospital in Moseley, and Bon Secours to expand its existing St. Francis Medical Center. All three projects include mandatory charity-care commitments to serve low-income patients.

Chesterfield, one of Virginia’s fastest-growing localities (population up roughly 10% since 2020 to about 401,300), currently has only two full-service hospitals. State projections show another 42,000 residents by 2030, driving the need for expanded capacity.

VCU Health’s New 66-Bed Hospital

VCU Health received approval for a new 202,889-square-foot acute-care hospital at 7220 Beach Road near the county government complex. The $306 million facility will include 42 medical-surgical beds, six pediatric, six obstetric, and 12 ICU beds, plus six operating rooms, a cardiac catheterization lab, CT/MRI imaging, and an intermediate nursery.

Completion is targeted for May 30, 2030. Funding will come from a mix of bond financing and reserves.

“We are thrilled… and excited about expanding access to our unwavering care in Chesterfield County,” said VCU Health spokeswoman Danielle Pierce.

HCA’s Magnolia Hospital

HCA Healthcare won approval for its $260 million, 135,300-square-foot Magnolia Hospital on Hull Street Road in the Nunnally Village development in Moseley. The 60-bed facility (54 medical-surgical + 6 ICU) will feature four operating rooms and an MRI scanner.

HCA plans to relocate beds and operating rooms from its existing Richmond-area hospitals and close its Swift Creek freestanding emergency department once the new hospital opens.

Projected completion: October 13, 2029. The commissioner overrode an earlier staff recommendation for denial, citing improved bed distribution, strong community support, and the county’s explosive western growth.

Bon Secours St. Francis Expansion

Bon Secours will add a 58,400-square-foot, two-floor expansion to St. Francis Medical Center at 13170 St. Francis Blvd. Adding 36 medical-surgical beds and four ICU beds for a total project cost of $106 million.

The work is expected to finish by September 13, 2029.

“This approval represents an important step as we continue planning to support access to care [and] responsibly respond to the growing needs of Chesterfield County,” a Bon Secours spokesperson said.

All three approvals carry charity-care conditions (0.9% of patient revenue for VCU and HCA; 3% for Bon Secours). The projects are expected to begin design and construction phases immediately.

The decisions represent a rare triple approval in a single day for competing health systems in the same planning district. They also highlight Chesterfield’s position as a healthcare hotspot.