The Close to Home Gala benefitting Riverside Smithfield Hospital and Expanding Cardiac Care

On a cold winter’s night in January, the Smithfield and Isle of Wight community came out to support Riverside Smithfield Hospital at the inaugural Close to Home Gala. 

The event featured touching video tributes, a wonderful live auction and a paddle raise for donations to expand cardiac care in Smithfield and Isle of Wight. 

Over 250 of the Foundation’s closest friends came together to raise more than $200,000. 

Thank you to the Smithfield Times’ Steve Stewart for writing his column about the event. Read more here.

Announcing The Campaign for Riverside Smithfield Hospital

Because of your generosity and belief in our mission, Riverside Smithfield Hospital is already transforming access to care in our community. During our program on Friday, January 30, we proudly launched The Campaign for Riverside Smithfield Hospital — and we invite you to carry that momentum forward by helping strengthen and sustain this vital community resource.

Join us in shaping the future of world-class care, close to home.

Why Smithfield, Why Now?

Like the rest of the nation, population growth in the area will include a significant rise in the number of individuals over the age of 65, who require greater access to health care services close to home. 

Riverside is committed to addressing these needs and expectations by developing a new, state-of-the-art health care facility that will significantly enhance access to comprehensive, high-quality health care services. 

This hospital, decades in the making – is here because so many people believed in Riverside Health and said yes.

Caroline Martin, the first Female Executive Vice President at Riverside Health, in the 90’s believed this vision of a hospital could be a reality and said yes to the expansion of services across the James River Bridge.

In the 2000’s, local businessman Richard Turner, and two sisters, Dr. Dru Powell and Ann Avery believed in us and said yes – selling us their property at Benns Grant which became the campus for Riverside Smithfield Hospital.

In 2021 and 2022, over 2,000 residents in Smithfield, Isle of Wight and Surry believed in us and said yes by signing letters of support for this hospital.

And, in 2022, Governor Youngkin and the Commonwealth of Virginia believed in us and said yes to Riverside Smithfield Hospital.

Then, Riverside said yes by investing more than $300 million into the hospital and medical campus in Smithfield, which will change the health care landscape of the community forever.

Hear from local elected officials, Riverside Leadership and EMTs on the community is ready for this hospital.

Auction

In conjunction with the Close to Home Gala committee, attendees had a blast bidding on live auction items that included tickets to highly sought after local events, spa treatments and behind-the-scenes access to Riverside Smithfield Hospital. 

The hero of the live auction was none other than Poptart, the service dog. Bidders clamored for an opportunity to spend time with Poptart at Riverside Smithfield Hospital spending more than $12,000 for two sessions with Ms. Poptart. 

Raising a Paddle for a Great Cause

Inspired by the memory of the beloved Coach Russ, and the care he received at Riverside Regional Medical Center, Gala attendees had the opportunity to donate directly to improving cardiac care in Isle of Wight and Smithfield.

Thanks to a major capital investment, Riverside Smithfield Hospital has acquired one of the most advanced cardiac CT scanners available today. Technology capable of detecting heart disease in seconds with stunning clarity and precision, this top-their system includes critical diagnostic and safety-enhancing add-ons, ensuring our clinical team has the very best tools to serve our community.

What brings this powerful equipment to life—and directly benefits patients—are the technology packages that drive imaging interpretation, data management and care coordination. 

While the equipment itself is in place, these supporting technologies require substantial funding to implement. 

Local availability of cardiac CTA helps patients get answers faster and closer to home without waiting weeks for a referral or an appointment at a distant facility. This can lead to earlier intervention and better outcomes.

Thank you to all of our generous donors who pledged support to this wonderful technology. 

Special Thanks and Event Photos

View Event Photos

Thank you to Sara Harris Photography for capturing the spirit of this wonderful night. Folks came out in their best Wintry Cocktail attire and celebrated all night at the Smithfield Center. Special shout out to:

The Smithfield Station for providing a wonderful dinner
Smithfield Bakery for yummy take home cookies for all attendees and 
SummerWind Vineyard for providing bubbles for our Champagne toast at the end of the night.