LYNCHBURG, VA, February 4, 2026 – In March 2023, Centra’s multi-year modernization plan was announced. Recently, we have seen aspects of the modernization plan fulfilled and we have had the opportunity to celebrate important key milestones. We commemorated the completion of the Centra Langhorne Medical Center and began seeing patients in the new facility December 8. In September, we had the official groundbreaking for the new six-story tower at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital, followed by the groundbreaking ceremony for the Centra Southside Community Hospital Emergency Department expansion.
Digital Capabilities:
Centra is modernizing its technology by developing a patient-centered digital health ecosystem that includes ambient scribing, security enhancements, digital registration and self-scheduling.

These advancements along with construction projects and process improvements are key components of our modernization plan.
• Ambient Scribe Technology: Centra’s AI-powered ambient scribe tool is designed to ease documentation for clinicians, giving them more time to focus on patient care. By automating note-taking and streamlining decision-making and coordination, providers can engage with patients without the distraction of computer screens, creating more natural and meaningful interactions. Centra plans to expand the use of the ambient scribe to the Emergency Department in the coming months, followed by implementation for inpatient providers.
• Security Enhancements: Centra is implementing important security enhancements to strengthen the safety of patients, visitors and Caregivers across our acute care hospitals. Following a phased approach, a new visitor management system will be introduced at each Centra hospital location. This updated system will allow Centra to verify visitor identities, track who is entering our facilities and ensure that all individuals on campus are appropriately screened. These steps reflect Centra’s ongoing commitment to providing a safe and secure environment. Upon check-in, each visitor will receive a printed badge with their name, photo and approved destination, which must be worn visibly while inside the hospital.
• Digital Registration and Online Scheduling: Centra’s progressive adoption of digital registration and future online self-scheduling reflects a commitment to digital innovation that improves both patient experience and care delivery. The initial launch of digital registration occurred in tandem with the opening of Centra Langhorne Medical Center. As a part of this process patients can complete registration tasks from their phone or computer before arrival, reducing wait times, improving data accuracy and easing administrative burden so care teams can focus more fully on patients. The planned launch of self-scheduling in 2026 will build on this foundation, giving patients the ability to view availability, book appointments, receive reminders and avoid delays, while practices gain better visibility into capacity and scheduling needs.
Centra Langhorne Medical Center:
On December 3, 2025, Centra marked the completion of construction on the new Centra

Langhorne Medical Center (CLMC) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the corner of Langhorne Road and Tate Springs Road in Lynchburg. The five-story, 125,000-square-foot medical office building is designed to deliver patient-centered care, located in the heart of the community. The facility integrates advanced technology, modern amenities and centralized services to make high-quality healthcare more accessible, connected and personal. Among the new technological features are digital registration and state-of-the-art medical equipment. Services that were previously spread across the Lynchburg area will now be available in one convenient location. Centra Langhorne Medical Center includes the following outpatient specialties:
• Urology • Pulmonology
• Sleep Medicine • Bariatrics
• Endocrinology • General Surgery
• Pain Management • Neuroendovascular Surgery
• Neurology • Neurosurgery
• Laboratory • Outpatient Rehab Therapy
• Imaging
Centra Lynchburg General Hospital (LGH) New Tower:

In September, Centra celebrated the groundbreaking for its new state-of-the-art tower at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital (LGH). Construction is scheduled to be completed in fall 2028.
At 266,200 square feet, the new six-story tower will expand access to high quality, safe care for the growing region that Centra serves. The new tower will feature:
• A new emergency department, replacing the existing space with over 70 treatment spaces, a split-flow care model to improve patient experience, an integrated EmPATH psychiatric care space, imaging/results lounge and built-in flexibility for future expansion.
• A new perioperative services floor housing a surgical inpatient unit with advanced support spaces, including an operating suite of 12 modern operating rooms and post-surgery patient recovery rooms.
• A new labor and delivery unit, mother/baby unit and intensive care nursery designed to meet the needs of today’s families.

Centra Southside Community Hospital Emergency Department Expansion
In July, Centra announced a $5 million investment to renovate and expand the Centra Southside Community Hospital Emergency Department (CSCH). Identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment as a top need and concern, this work is actively addressing the evolving emergency care needs of patients and communities in the hospital’s eight-county service area. The project will begin by the end of the year with an estimated completion by next summer, 2026. The expansion plan includes over 2,000 square feet of new and renovated space. The expanded emergency department will include flexible bays that can increase from 18 to 21during peak times, dedicated behavioral health bays, fast-track rooms to reduce wait times and new family consultation spaces for added privacy and comfort. The emergency department will remain fully operational during the renovation and expansion project.
Centra Simons Run Medical Campus:
Construction at the Centra Simons Run Medical Campus in Lynchburg is progressing steadily, with both external and internal framing and sheathing completed. Construction is scheduled for completion in spring 2026, and the campus will expand access to specialized behavioral health and rehabilitation services. These state-of-the-art facilities will replace the current inpatient behavioral health and rehabilitation units at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital. This project is a collaboration between Centra and Lifepoint Health affiliates, including Lifepoint Behavioral Health and Lifepoint Rehabilitation. The campus will house two state-of-the-art hospitals:

• Centra Behavioral Health Hospital: A 72-bed facility offering a therapeutic environment for patients with mental health needs. The opening of this facility will directly contribute to the clear community need for increased access to mental health care as identified in the 2021 and 2024 Community Health Needs Assessments. The hospital will provide both inpatient and outpatient services, with features specific to this patient population like open community spaces, courtyards and advanced clinical areas to enhance the experience of our patients and their families. The target opening date is spring of 2026.

• Centra Rehabilitation Hospital: Scheduled to open in summer 2026, this 50-bed rehabilitation hospital will provide specialized care for patients with complex conditions such as stroke, brain and spinal injuries, and orthopedic issues. It will feature advanced therapy gyms, outdoor courtyards, and a secure 12-bed brain injury unit to support safe, comprehensive recovery.
Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital

As Centra continues consolidating and modernizing services around Centra Lynchburg General Hospital, the Virginia Baptist Hospital (VBH) campus will also undergo significant changes. To honor VBH’s legacy and its surrounding neighborhood, Centra is launching a planning process to explore potential options for the future of the campus.
Beginning in early 2026, we will engage the community in meaningful conversations about the future of VBH. This process will include input from neighbors, hospital employees, volunteers, stakeholders and the broader Lynchburg community to share information, address concerns and develop a feasible adaptive reuse plan. A comprehensive study will integrate building data, market analysis, community feedback, case studies and other relevant insights to guide decision-making. Final recommendations will be shared during an open house in late spring.

Related Posts
Centra Foundation Awarded $450,000 Grant to Expand Advanced Heart and Vascular Imaging
Feb 09, 2026
Gasoline Prices: Greater Lynchburg Ticks Higher as Other Markets Dip
Feb 09, 2026
Agenda: Deeds, Dishes and a Deep Freeze
Jan 21, 2026