Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) has appointed Dr. Christopher Newman, MD, MBA, as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr. Newman, who has been with MWHC since 2019 as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer, takes over following the departure of Dr. Michael McDermott, who served as CEO since 2015.
McDermott announced his resignation in December 2024 to become the President and CEO of Montage Health, a healthcare system based in Monterey, California. McDermott expanded services during his tenure at MWHC, strengthened the system’s financial position, and advanced its reputation as a leading healthcare provider in the region, according to a press release.
Newman steps into the role with a strong background in hospital operations and clinical leadership. Before joining MWHC, he served as the Chief Medical Officer for Penn State Health St. Joseph Regional Health Network and was key in leading operations for Penn State Health’s Medical Group. He earned his medical degree from Georgetown University and completed his internal medicine residency at Georgetown University Medical Center. Additionally, he holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
“I am truly honored to have been chosen as CEO, and I remain dedicated to advancing our mission of enhancing the health of individuals in our communities,” Dr. Newman said in a statement. “I look forward to building on the progress we’ve made and furthering our goal of making Mary Washington Healthcare the leading health system for our providers, team members, patients, and the entire community.”
Mary Washington Healthcare is a non-profit regional health system that operates two hospitals, Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg and Stafford Hospital in Stafford County, along with multiple outpatient facilities, urgent care centers, and medical practices.
Stafford County is making history with the launch of the Stafford African American Heritage Trail, a new initiative designed to highlight the county’s rich African American history. The trail, developed in collaboration with the University of Mary Washington’s Department of Geography, local historians, and community members, officially debuts this week as part of Black History Month celebrations.
Chairman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, Deuntay Diggs, announced the trail’s opening at the board meeting on February 18, 2025. “This trail system is part of Discover Stafford’s commitment to sharing the complete story of the county’s history,” Diggs stated. “By walking this trail, residents and visitors can learn about the powerful contributions of African Americans to our community and honor their legacy.”
The Stafford African American Heritage Trail features centuries-old landmarks, stories of local African American leaders, and sites of historical significance. Among the highlights is the burial site of John DaBatiste, a Revolutionary War veteran who served aboard the Dragon, a ship known for employing more African Americans than any other vessel during the war. The trail also recognizes stories of resilience, including the founding of a volunteer fire department after a devastating house fire in 1963, which led to the creation of a thriving community rescue squad.
A special dedication ceremony for unveiling the Stafford African American Heritage Trail historical marker has faced multiple postponements due to inclement weather. Initially scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Stafford Hospital, the event was postponed to Wednesday, February 19, due to an upcoming storm. However, as another round of winter weather approached, organizers were forced to cancel the unveiling event again. They now hope to reschedule the dedication for sometime in March.
Preserving and Celebrating African American Heritage
Connie Hiker, President of Discover Stafford, emphasized the importance of preserving and sharing these stories. “At Discover Stafford, our mission is to research, document, and share Stafford County’s rich history through storytelling tied to specific locations. By honoring the labor, struggles, and contributions of those who came before us, we recognize the courage of Stafford’s Black community—both enslaved and free,” Hiker said. “We also celebrate the resilience of entrepreneurs like the Walkers, who created spaces of joy in challenging times.”
Visitors can explore the trail using resources on Discover Stafford’s website, which provides interactive maps, historical background, and video content. During the board meeting, a special video presentation showcased key locations along the trail, encouraging residents to explore and reflect on the history that has shaped Stafford County.
The project is a result of strong community partnerships. Xavier Richardson, Chief Development Officer of Mary Washington Healthcare and President of the Mary Washington and Stafford Hospital Foundations, acknowledged the collective effort in bringing this initiative to life. “This project is a testament to the collaborative efforts of many community organizations, including the Walker Family, Stafford Hospital, and Stafford County Board of Supervisors,” Richardson stated. “It is our honor to bring this important piece of history to light and to celebrate the rich heritage of our community.”
Vice Chairman Tinesha Allen echoed the importance of this initiative. “We encourage everyone to take the tour, share the stories, and remember the importance of honoring the contributions of African Americans in Stafford,” Allen said.
Stafford Hospital also welcomed its first baby of the year, Miles Roy, born at 4:59 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 1.5 ounces. Miles’ parents, Jessica and Ken of Spotsylvania. He joins big brothers Garrett, 5, and Jackson, 2.
The hospital did not provide the last names of the parents.
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Local families may have noticed an increase in children being diagnosed with pneumonia this fall. Virginia Department of Health (VDH) confirmed the increase in November with a statement noting Emergency Room visits with a pneumonia diagnosis tripled the week of November 10-17 compared to the prior two years.
Additionally, a number of public schools have reported clusters of students with pneumonia and unspecified respiratory illnesses to VDH.Â
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued several statements this fall regarding the increase in Mycoplasma pneumonia (M. Pneumoniae), a common cause of mild respiratory illness that has seen a significant resurgence in 2024. In the United States, cases have increased across all age groups since late spring, peaking in August and remaining high through the fall.
Notably, young children aged 2–4 years have seen a substantial increase in infections, reversing previous trends where older children and adolescents were most affected.
The CDC reported that cases are increasing most among children, with infections in those aged 2–4 years rising from 1% to 7%, and in children aged 5–17 rising from 3.6% to 7.4%. This rise in infections among 2–4-year-olds is significant, as M. pneumoniae historically hasn’t been recognized as a leading cause of pneumonia in this age group.
Dr. Lana Ismail, a Pediatric Hospitalist and Medical Director of the Children’s National Pediatric Hospital Medicine Program at Mary Washington Healthcare, confirmed that both Fredericksburg and Stafford hospitals are seeing a sharp increase in pneumonia cases, including both community-acquired and M. pneumoniae-related pneumonia. She noted that the 2–4-year-old age group has experienced a marked rise, although cases are up across all age groups.
Ismail said local pediatricians are likely handling the majority of milder cases, while more severe cases may visit the Emergency Room. Some pediatric patients required hospitalization, or needed to be transferred to Children’s National Hospital or VCU Children’s Hospital in Richmond. In some severe cases, patients can develop other issues not related to the lungs, like inflammation around the brain, and reactions in mucosal membranes that require more intensive treatment.
Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to treat pneumonia. Dr. Ismail advised that the period of contagion is generally tied to the onset of symptoms. If a patient has been on antibiotics for 24 hours and shows signs of improvement, they may be able to return to school. However, anyone exhibiting symptoms should avoid contact with vulnerable or immunocompromised individuals, as well as babies. Wearing a mask and practicing good hand hygiene can also help reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.
The CDC noted that cyclical increases in M. pneumoniae infections are common every 3 to 5 years. Cases sharply declined during the COVID-19 pandemic but began rising again in 2023. By February 2024, cases remained below pre-pandemic levels, but the frequency of positive test results for M. pneumoniae increased from 0.7% in late spring to 3.3%.
Common symptoms of M. pneumoniae include fatigue, fever, headache, sore throat, and worsening cough. Children younger than 5 may also experience diarrhea, a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, vomiting, and watery eyes.
M. pneumoniae infections are typically mild and often present as “walking pneumonia,” a form of bacterial pneumonia where individuals may not feel sick enough to stay in bed. Outbreaks tend to occur in crowded environments, such as schools, college dormitories, and nursing homes, where the bacteria spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. Preventive measures such as good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes can help limit transmission.
Although M. pneumoniae infections can occur year-round, they are most common in summer and early fall. The long incubation period—ranging from one to four weeks—and the bacteria’s ability to persist in the respiratory tract for months can lead to prolonged outbreaks.
Dr. Ismail emphasized, “Mycoplasma is one of the few prominent respiratory infections for which we don’t have a vaccine. We have vaccines for many other contagious illnesses, like the flu, RSV, pertussis, and COVID.” She added that vaccines and good hygiene are the best measures to prevent the spread of highly contagious illnesses.
Healthcare providers diagnose M. pneumoniae infections through physical exams, respiratory swab tests, or chest X-rays if pneumonia is suspected. Treatment with macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin, is typically effective, while over-the-counter medications can help manage symptoms for mild cases.
Press release:
 The Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) and Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) invite community members aged 15 and older to take a quick, anonymous survey about important health issues. The survey is open to those who live in the City of Fredericksburg and Caroline, King George, Orange, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Westmoreland counties.
“This is a great opportunity for community members to make their voices heard about the biggest health issues facing our area,” said RAHD Director Olugbenga Obasanjo, M.D. “We use this feedback to guide decisions about programs and services that are prioritized in our area. The results are taken very seriously by the health department, the healthcare system, and many other community-based organizations.”
The survey can be completed in English at https://redcap.link/CHAsurvey_PD16, or in Spanish at https://redcap.link/CHAencuesta_PD16 . Questions ask respondents to share their thoughts on the biggest health concerns facing the community as well as the greatest opportunities for health improvements. Demographic information is requested to ensure responses from different groups and geographic areas, but no identifiable information is requested. Upon completion of the survey, respondents will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for one of 20 $25 gift cards.
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Press Release:
Mary Washington Hospice hosted its seventh annual Light Up a Life Illumination event on Thursday, November 14. This special event allowed community members to purchase luminaries in their loved ones’ memory. Over 320 individuals were honored, and their names were read aloud by the hospice team during an intimate program at Mary Washington Hospital.
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Mary Washington Hospital has successfully treated its first patient using the Impella RP Flex, a heart pump that temporarily supports patients in cardiogenic shock due to acute right heart failure. This technology allows blood to be drawn from the heart and propelled forward, facilitating recovery or further treatment options.
Press Release:
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The Rappahannock Area Health District and Mary Washington Healthcare are launching the 2025 Community Health Assessment for Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford counties, and Fredericksburg, building on their 2022 collaboration. The Community Health Assessment will explore various social drivers of health and will include kickoff meetings across the region to gather community input.
Press Release:
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Mary Washington Healthcare has launched a new midwifery program, the largest of its kind in the region. The program offers both inpatient and outpatient care, supported by a team of seven certified nurse midwives.
Expecting mothers can receive prenatal care at two locations in Stafford and Spotsylvania, with deliveries at Stafford Hospital. The program aims to provide personalized, low-intervention care from prenatal visits through postpartum support. Â Patients will have access to prenatal education, labor and delivery support, lactation services, and postpartum care.
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Mary Washington Healthcare's Stafford Hospital has been certified by The Joint Commission (TJC) as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital. The Fredericksburg hospital campus has been certified since 2009.
TJC is an independent, not-for-profit organization that sets standards and accredits health care organizations and programs within the United States. The Acute Stroke Ready Hospital designation is awarded to facilities that meet rigorous standards for stroke care. This includes having a dedicated stroke-focused program, trained staff, and the necessary equipment to diagnose and treat strokes swiftly and effectively. This designation is particularly impactful for Stafford Hospital, as it enhances the hospital's capability to serve a growing community, ensuring that critical stroke care is quickly accessible to those who need it most.
