Chesapeake Regional Honors Legacy of Judge Richard S. Bray with Portrait Dedication and Final Ribbon Cutting of $155 Million Renovation Project

CHESAPEAKE, Va. – Chesapeake Regional Healthcare celebrated the completion of its transformative $155 million renovation project, which started in January 2020, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last night for the sixth and final floor of the Richard S. Bray Critical Care Tower and the dedication of a portrait honoring Judge Richard S. Bray. The event took place in the main lobby of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center in Chesapeake.

“This new floor is more than just bricks and mortar,” said Reese Jackson, President and CEO of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare. “It’s a promise to our patients — that they will receive leading-edge care in a space built to support healing, dignity, and recovery.”

This ribbon-cutting marks the final phase in a five-year journey to expand and modernize the hospital’s infrastructure. Designed with input from front-line clinicians, planners, and community leaders, this floor offers specialized neurological and telemetry care, reflecting the latest in patient-centered design and technology.

The Richard S. Bray Critical Care Tower is a 72,000-square-foot addition featuring:
•    4th floor: 30-bed Intensive Care Unit | 8-bed Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
•    5th floor: 28-bed Stepdown Unit
•    6th floor: 36-bed Neuro/Telemetry Unit

This significant milestone honors not only the expansion of the hospital’s capacity and capabilities but also the legacy of a man whose vision and generosity helped make it possible.

The portrait dedication recognizes a major donation from the Beazley Foundation and celebrates the life and leadership of Judge Richard S. Bray, a distinguished jurist, devoted public servant, and lifelong champion of community progress. As a Virginia Court of Appeals judge and later President and CEO of the Beazley Foundation, Bray’s unwavering commitment to justice, compassion, and healthcare access left an indelible impact on the region.

“Judge Bray believed in strengthening institutions that serve the most vulnerable,” said R. Stephen Best, President & CEO of the Beazley Foundation, Inc. “His support of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center was more than financial — it was deeply personal. He recognized this hospital as a beacon of healing for the community he loved.”

Judge Bray’s connection to Chesapeake Regional runs deep. As a steadfast friend to the City of Chesapeake, he supported the grassroots movement that built the original hospital and remained a vital force behind the expansion of critical services over the decades. In honor of his contributions, the newly completed tower, which houses essential inpatient and critical care services, proudly bears his name.

The event also featured a special blessing of the tower and caregivers, underscoring the hospital’s commitment to compassionate care for all who walk through its doors.

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare extends sincere gratitude to all donors, community members, and partners who helped bring this vision to life. Their generosity ensures the hospital remains a vital resource for the citizens of Chesapeake and the surrounding region for generations to come.

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