Ft. Belvoir, Va. –– There’s an air of excitement around Ft. Belvoir as its new hospital inches closer to the date it will accept the first patient.
The massive $1 billion Fort Belvoir Community Hospital is slated to open August 10. It will replace DeWitt Community Hospital.
The new hospital will boast 120 beds with 10 operating rooms that will be able to treat more than 37,000 patients per year. It will be staffed with more than 1,600 employees; all whom will help make it one of the newest, most cutting-edge medical facilities.
“There’s never been a hospital that’s been built like this before, not in the Army and nowhere else in the nation,” said U.S. Army Col. B. Allan Shoupe, M.D.
The facility broke ground in 2007, and since then crews have been working diligently to meet the government-imposed BRAC deadline of September 2011. That’s when many military basses will be realigned or closed, shifting some 20,000 people to Ft. Belvoir.
The hospital has been built with a design, bid, build approach, said Shoupe. Many of the plans for the hospital weren’t even finalized when the overall construction began.
This construction approach led to what medical professionals believe will promote a better hospital experience, including open access hallways, natural light that beams through large windows throughout the building, colorful murals on walls, and large recovery rooms with space for family members to sit bedside with a loved one on the mend.
“People just heal better when they have family members by their side. If mom wants her hand held while she’s staying in the room, a family member will be able to be at her side to help, and they deserve to stay here,” said Shoupe.
The hospital is laid out in five sections, or pavilions, most of which have two floors. The main section of the hospital, at the center of the structure, has seven floors.
In addition to emergency and primary care, the center will offer 55 specialties, including cancer treatment, cardiac catheterization and treating soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The hospital will also have doctors, nurses and patients communicating in new ways.
Through “Smart Suite” technology, doctors will be able to check a monitor on the wall outside a patient’s room to see basic medical information about a patient, as well as access medical history and X-rays prior to walking into the room. The technology will also allow the patient to easily identify at any time which member of the medical treatment staff is in the room, said Shoupe.
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February will be a busy and love-filled month around Prince William County and Manassas with several events and activities scheduled. Take a look at some highlighted events and meetings. Wednesday…
Icy Conditions Possible Wednesday Night – A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Prince William County from 9 p.m. Wednesday to Noon Thursday, with freezing rain and sleet expected. VDOT crews are treating roads, but travel may be hazardous. Limit travel, prepare for icy spots, and stay updated on changing conditions.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project, ending years of planning and millions of dollars in studies and design work. The decision, which passed with a 5-3 vote, came after a contentious debate over the feasibility and cost of the project.
Initially estimated to cost more than $200 million, the road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County. The plan to build the road, Alternative 2B, was the top recommendation from the 2017 Route 28 Corridor Feasibility Study. The project had received $89 million in funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) as part of a broader effort to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure.
County transportation director Rick Canizales confirmed that the estimated cost had grown beyond available funding, requiring an additional $80–$100 million to proceed. “After taking all this into consideration and doing all the design work that we’ve done at this point, we come to the board and let you know that as staff, we believe that alternative 2B is not viable because we don’t have enough money and we don’t have enough support in some of the challenges we’re facing,” Canizales said.
For the first time, Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger sat down for an exclusive interview with Potomac Local News as she begins her second term. In a candid conversation, she addressed the city’s stance on immigration enforcement, the future of development in downtown Manassas, the impact of potential state and federal funding cuts, and her vision for the next four years.
What’s next for Manassas? Will taxes go up? How will the city navigate potential financial challenges? And what’s her take on the now-canceled Route 28 Bypass project?
Get the full story in tomorrow’s edition—only on Potomac Local News. Stay tuned!
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
