Hundreds gathered at Stafford Hospital on Wednesday afternoon to witness the unveiling of a historical marker commemorating Walker’s Inn. This once-thriving community hub served as a social and cultural landmark for African Americans in Stafford County during the mid-20th century.
The dedication ceremony, part of the Stafford African American Heritage Trail initiative, brought together descendants of the Walker family, local leaders, historians, and community members to celebrate the long-overdue recognition of Walker’s Inn and its role in Stafford’s Black history.
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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.
More in a press release from Mary Washington Hospital.
Mary Washington Hospital proudly announces the arrival of the first baby born in the Fredericksburg region for the new year. Baby girl Kylah Ann made her debut at 1:55 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce. She is the daughter of Erica and Christopher, residents of Spotsylvania.
Erica and Christopher were not expecting to have their baby so soon, as Kylah made her debut five weeks early! They were heading to a New Year’s Eve party when plans suddenly changed and they found themselves heading to the hospital instead. Kylah is currently getting amazing care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mary Washington Hospital. Both Kylah and Erica are doing great. “I knew as soon as I heard her cry, that she was a fighter,” says Erica.
Stafford Hospital also kicked off the new year with a heartwarming arrival of their own! Baby Miles Roy, weighing 6 pounds, 1.5 ounces, made his debut at 4:59 a.m., bringing joy to his parents, Jessica and Ken of Spotsylvania, and the entire community. Adding a touch of excitement, Miles’ gender was kept a surprise until delivery! While his big brothers – Garrett, 5, and Jackson, 2– had their hearts set on a sister, they could not be happier to welcome their new baby brother.
Mary Washington Healthcare extends heartfelt congratulations to the new parents and warmly welcomes these little New Year’s babies into the world. The arrival of Kylah and Miles symbolizes hope and new beginnings, perfectly aligning with the spirit of the New Year.

From The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office:
ASSAULT:
Quarles Road, 12/7, 2:44 a.m. Deputy P.J. Leon responded to an assault. The victim advised his intoxicated roommate struck him in an unprovoked attack. After making contact with both parties, the suspect was arrested for assault and battery. He would have a new roommate at Rappahannock Regional Jail where he was held pending his ability to participate in a bond hearing.DUI:
2200 block of Richmond Highway, 12/7, 1:32 p.m. Deputy R. Tully responded to a drunk driver complaint. The caller advised a Mercedes was unable to stay in its own lane while traveling Northbound on Richmond Highway. Thanks to the caller’s quick and accurate updates, Deputy
Tully quickly located the suspect vehicle and he too observed the undesirable driving behaviors. Deputy Tully conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who advised he just got a fresh cut from the barber. Despite looking dapper, Deputy Tully was more concerned with the signs of intoxication he observed. The driver, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of a firearm and not wearing a seatbelt. He was charged with driving under the influence, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, the traffic lane violation, and to top it off, not wearing a seatbelt. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1,500 secured bond.FRAUD:
Ford T. Humphrey Public Safety Building, 1225 Courthouse Road, 12/6, 3:37 p.m. Deputy E.T. Osborn responded to the lobby for a fraud. The victim advised while conversing with someone online they mentioned a too good to be true subscription where people can earn money after a Bitcoin deposit. After the deposit, the victim’s account was frozen by “customer service,” who advised she would need to pay another deposit to have access to her account.LARCENY:
Wawa, 105 Garrisonville Road, 12/7, 3:48 p.m. Deputy J.J. Holetzky responded to a larceny. The victim advised while making a quick stop at the business, he accidentally left a bag behind. The bag contained a large sum of cash. When the victim realized he did not have his bag and returned to retrieve his riches, the bag could not be located.PUBLIC INTOXICATION:
Stafford Hospital, 101 Hospital Center Boulevard, 12/7, 10:29 p.m. Deputy C.R. Newman responded to a disturbance. Staff advised a male entered the hospital demanding to use the bathroom. Whence inside, the suspect began making a large commotion while arguing with
himself. Considering the signs of being under the influence of drugs, staff contacted the Sheriff’s Office. When deputies made contact with the suspect they knew very well from multiple priors,  they quickly observed he was “definitely on something.” He was taken into custody and during a search incident to arrest, in a predicted turn of events, suspected controlled substances were located. He was charged with possession of controlled substances, public intoxication, and disorderly conduct on hospital grounds. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.Home 2 Suites, 3051 Richmond Highway, 12/7, 11:50 p.m. Deputy R.T. Phillippsen responded to
a disturbance. Staff advised a clearly intoxicated female was refusing to leave the lobby. As Deputy
Philippsen entered the atrium before the lobby, he was struck by the strong perfume of an alcoholic
beverage. The source of the fragrance not found at your local Macy’s was discovered to be the
suspect, who explained despite having “consumed beer” that she was “not drunk by any stretch of
the imagination.” She was placed into handcuffs shortly after which were not imaginary. She was
held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

Update — From Stafford Sheriff County Sheriff’s Office:
Ouzts has been located! He is now in custody. Thank you to everyone for your support and patience.
Original post — A man arrested for reckless driving during a National Night Out event on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, has escaped custody at Stafford Hospital and is currently on the run. Stafford County Sheriff’s deputies are searching for 22-year-old Robert Ouzts, who slipped away from jail custody earlier today, Thursday, October 3, 2024.
Ouzts was last seen wearing blue pants and no shirt near a pond beside Stafford Hospital. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and call 911 if they have any information on his whereabouts. Deputies are using K-9 units to search for Ouzts, who is considered dangerous.
Ouzts was initially arrested just before starting a National Night Out event at Stafford Market Place. At about 3:47 p.m. on October 1, the Traffic Safety Unit deputies observed a motorcyclist, later identified as Ouzts, driving recklessly through the crowded parking lot. He was without a license plate or helmet and nearly struck several pedestrians. When deputies J.A. Alford and S.C. Martin attempted to stop him near Staffordboro Boulevard, Ouzts tried to flee and even assaulted one of the deputies before abandoning his motorcycle and running away.
In his attempt to escape, Ouzts lost his shoes and fled barefoot through the parking lot, police said. His flight was short-lived as deputies pursued him toward Little Caesars Pizza, where one deputy deployed a taser, successfully apprehending him.
At the scene, Ouzts was checked by Fire and Rescue and taken into custody. He was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. He faced multiple charges, including assault on law enforcement, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, and several other motor vehicle offenses.
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.
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On April 13, 2024, the 100,000th runner in the Grand Prix Series will cross the finish line. Stafford Hospital will host its Spring Fever 5K in conjunction with the Coldwell Banker Elite Grand Prix Series and Stafford Race Series.
The Grand Prix Series features 12 local races and has been running since 1994. Tamra Wheeler, Public Relations Coordinator for Mary Washington Healthcare, provided a press briefing noting Coldwell Banker has been the title sponsor for the series for 30 years. Wheeler said there have been 318 races, which have raised between $1.2 and $2.2 million for local charities and organizations.Â
The next event in the Grand Prix Series is a 5K in downtown Fredericksburg benefitting the Fredericksburg SPCA.
The Spring Fever race takes place on April 13 at 125 Hospital Center Blvd in Stafford. The Kids ½ Mile Fun Run takes place at 8:00 AM followed by the 5K Run/Walk at 8:30. Stafford County employees and school employees are eligible for discounts.

Stafford Hospital commemorates its fifteenth anniversary in 2024. Opening its doors in 2009, Stafford Hospital quickly became a cornerstone of healthcare in the region, complementing the existing services and meeting the growing needs of the Stafford community.
Over the past decade and a half, Stafford Hospital has been a hub of healthcare activity, delivering thousands of babies and attending to hundreds of thousands of patients in the Emergency Department. The hospital owes much of its success to the efforts of its dedicated team, supported by numerous volunteers who have contributed countless hours of service.
In recent years, Stafford Hospital has expanded its services, introducing state-of-the-art facilities such as a cardiac catheterization lab and a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. These enhancements reflect the hospital’s commitment to advancing healthcare and meeting the evolving needs of its patients.
Innovations like the Virtual Nursing Program and the introduction of robotics in surgery further highlight Stafford Hospital’s dedication to excellence and patient-centered care. These advancements not only improve patient outcomes but also streamline operations, allowing staff to focus more on direct patient care.
Stafford Hospital’s impact extends beyond its walls through its Community Benefit Fund, which has awarded millions of dollars in grants to local nonprofit organizations. This demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to providing healthcare and supporting the community’s overall well-being.
While there will be no specific events or celebrations to mark this milestone, a hospital spokeswoman said the hospital’s focus remains steadfast on providing patient care and ensuring the health and well-being of its patients, staff, and community.

A robot is now assisting doctors at Stafford Hospital.
The hospital acquired a $2 million da Vinci XI surgical robot system for doctors to use. Officials said that the da Vinci robot is the first step in planning to build a robust robotics program at Stafford Hospital.
The hospital is the second in the Mary Washington Healthcare chain, which operates Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.
“We are incredibly thrilled to launch the Robotics Program at Stafford Hospital as patient well-being is our top priority. Our commitment to investing in a robotics surgery program is a testament to our dedication to innovation, exceptional healthcare, and staying true to our mission to improve the health of the people we serve in our community and surrounding counties,” said Debra Marinari, Associate Vice President, Hospital Operations.
The da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical (RAS) system is the most widely used robotic surgery system in the world and allows surgeons to perform a variety of surgical procedures across multiple specialties. Hospital officials said the robot makes surgeries efficient and minimally invasive, such as gynecological procedures.
Stafford Hospital has been a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology since 2014, and the acquisition of this system will support the program’s goals of meeting the gynecologic surgery needs of patients in the Stafford community.
The operating room staff completed 120 hours of training to learn how to use the robot.
Employees at Stafford Hospital donned red in observance of “Go Red for Women,” which encourages awareness of women and heart disease.
Women who “go red” follow an exercise routine, eat a healthier diet, visit a doctor for tests, and influence others by talking about heart health, according to the organization’s website.
Stafford Hospital at 101 Hospital Center Boulevard is associated with Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.
Stafford Hospital emailed PLN to say:
Stafford Hospital hosted a Wear Red Day event on Friday, February 3 in celebration of National Wear Red Day. Guests enjoyed appetizers, cupcakes, and a hot chocolate bar while learning about Stafford Hospital’s cardiac services, including diagnostic testing services and the cardiac catheterization lab.