Mary Washington Hospital

History of Mary Washington Hospital

Mary Washington Hospital (MWH) is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The hospital is part of Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC). What started in 1899 as a small hospital has grown into a large regional health network. Today, the MWHC system has 2 hospitals with 571 beds total, 4 emergency departments and more than 80 locations.

MWH has also expanded its specialty programs and technology to support the region’s fast-growing community. The hospital now offers full care for lung and chest cancers through Mary Washington Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. It is also a Level II Trauma Center and a Primary Stroke Center, which highlights the hospital’s broad clinical capabilities.

View a Complete List of Cancer Centers in Our Free Guide Find the right fit for your situation Get Connected

Mesothelioma Care at Mary Washington Hospital

Mary Washington Hospital’s Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery program treats a wide range of lung and chest diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. The hospital’s experienced specialists are fully equipped to manage challenges that may present during diagnosis or treatment.

Dr. J. Timothy Sherwood founded and leads the thoracic surgery program. He has extensive experience treating lung and pleural cancers. He is active in national thoracic and oncology groups and consistently earns top patient satisfaction scores nationwide.

The hospital’s thoracic surgeons perform both standard and minimally invasive procedures that are central to mesothelioma care. They include video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and open surgical approaches. Surgeons use these techniques to obtain biopsies, remove masses, manage pleural effusions and treat chest-wall or mediastinal tumors.

Mary Washington Hospital provides advanced operating rooms and a dedicated thoracic unit. It also has an ICU that is staffed 24/7 by board-certified pulmonary specialists. Surgeons partner with nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other medical staff to support patients through testing, treatment choices and recovery.

Many patients also receive care through the broader MWHC cancer program. A team of medical oncologists, radiologists, pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons reviews each case. They coordinate treatment to give patients clear, personalized options. These services make MWH a strong regional option for patients seeking treatment for mesothelioma, lung cancer or other thoracic conditions.

Mary Washington Hospital Specializations

• Cardiovascular and open-heart procedures
• Chest wall masses
• Decortication / thoracotomy
• Esophageal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Lung disease
• Lung nodule
• Malignant pleural effusion
• Mesothelioma
• Pleural effusions
• Pneumothorax
• Thoracic surgery
• VATS

Mary Washington Hospital Accreditations

• American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Accreditation
• American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine Accreditation
• College of American Pathologists Accreditation
• Commission on Cancer Accreditation
• Recipient of Best Hospital Award by Best of the Burg 2025
• Special Accreditations from the American College of Radiology

Have a Question About This Cancer Center? Ask experienced mesothelioma advocate Jennifer Lucarelli Ask a Question

Patient and Family Services at Mary Washington Hospital

Mary Washington Hospital offers many support services to help patients and families receiving cancer care in Virginia. These resources provide education, emotional support and coordinated care throughout treatment and recovery. Patient and family services at MWH include:

• Clinical Trials Access
• Connections to Complementary Therapy Services
• Educational Materials
• Emotional and Spiritual Support
• Home Health Services
• Nurse Navigator Program
• Nutrition Counseling
• Pain Management
• Psychosocial Counseling
• Rehabilitation Services
• Support Groups
• Survivorship Programs

Patient and Family Services in the Fredericksburg Area

Fredericksburg is a mid-sized city in northern Virginia, about an hour by car from Washington, D.C. MWH’s location gives patients and families access to nearby services during or after treatment. These include non-emergency transportation, nutrition support, pain management clinics and more.