By Danielle Pierce 

In its first major expansion since the opening of the unit in 2008, the VCU Health Evans-Haynes Burn Center celebrated the opening of its new addition with a ribbon cutting earlier today.  

Joined by Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi and representatives from community organizations, VCU Health marked a significant milestone in the center’s history that will enhance patient care, support families and strengthen its ability to serve burn patients across the region. 

“The Board of Directors is responsible for preparing the health system for the future,” said Faye Manolios, vice chair of the VCU Health System Authority Board of Directors.  “Today we’re proud to celebrate a bold step into the future with this much-needed expansion because it strengthens our ability to provide care for more patients and families.” 

Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi (left); Michael Elliott, Pharm.D., MSHA, FACHE, COO of VCU Health (center); and Michael Feldman M.D., FABA, medical director of the Evans-Haynes Burn Center. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

The expansion includes four new intensive care unit (ICU) rooms, increasing the burn unit bed count to a total of 20 burn beds. Each room is outfitted with full bathrooms and designated family and support person areas.  

"Expanding the Evans-Haynes Burn Center isn't just an exciting milestone for VCU Health; it's a lifesaving resource for the entire region," said Marlon Levy, M.D., MBA, CEO of VCU Health. "For almost 80 years, we've served communities with specialized care, education, research and training in an effort to deliver better outcomes for people with burns. We are thrilled to mark the next chapter in its long history of expert, compassionate care with an expanded unit to better meet the needs of our patients." 

The center’s new additions also include a pre-procedure room, a post-procedure room and an office space for the burn and plastic surgery teams. 

“The goal of this expansion is to improve safety, access and outcomes for all burn patients,” said Michael Feldman, M.D., FABA, medical director of the Evans-Haynes Burn Center. “The expansion allows us to continue to be at the forefront of burn education, teaching, prevention and research. It also underscores our ongoing commitment to the burn community, not just ensuring that they survive their injury, but ensuring that they thrive after their injury.” 

Setting the gold standard in burn care in Virginia since 1947 

The Evans-Haynes Burn Center is a Level I comprehensive burn center for both adult and pediatric patients. It has been nationally verified by the American Burn Association (ABA) since 2011 and remains the only burn center in the commonwealth with this designation after its most recent re-verification in January of 2024. Only 81 burn centers in the United States meet the verification standards set by the ABA. Of those, only 40 are nationally verified for both adults and pediatric burn patients.  

The center is also nationally recognized as the oldest civilian burn hospital in the United States. It was originally established in 1947 by Everett Evans, M.D. Evans advanced the knowledge and practice of burn care by establishing the first fluid resuscitation protocol and oversaw the development of the first burn intensive care unit. B.W. Haynes, M.D., became the medical director following Evans’ death in 1954. He led the unit for 36 years.

Michael Feldman M.D., FABA, medical director of the Evans-Haynes Burn Center (center), gives Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi (right) a tour of the newly expanded unit. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

With this renovation, the center remains not only the oldest civilian burn center, but the one with the most modern capabilities to provide the highest level of care for patients with extremely complex injuries.  

"We are thrilled to be able to dedicate more ICU beds for the Evans-Haynes Burn Center," said Jim Willis, president of VCU Medical Center. "For decades, burn survivors have relied on us for the specialized, expert care that is required to treat burns. This expansion supports our multidisciplinary teams — from surgeons to physical therapists to social workers — ensuring we can continue to do just that for many years to come." 

Beyond burn care 

The Evans-Haynes Burn Center treats approximately 600 patients each year on average, but the care and compassion delivered by the burn team extends far beyond the hospital’s walls.  

With peer support groups and events, the center maintains a strong bond with their patients. Each year, they host Burn Survivor Sunday which connects burn survivors and their families to others who have experienced similar circumstances, and also reconnects them with their care teams and first responders. Members of the burn team also volunteer at a camp specifically designed to support young burn survivors as well.  
 
The center also has a large community engagement presence. The burn team provides fire prevention education at local city and county community fairs throughout the metro Richmond area. They also train firefighters, EMS personnel and hospital staff across the commonwealth on how to treat acute burn injury and smoke inhalation.  
 
“This is why this expansion means so much to us," Feldman said. “It allows us to keep doing all the things that make our center so special. More importantly, it gives us the space and resources to continue providing the highly specialized care our patients need while supporting their recovery and healing journey close to home.” 

VCU Health Evans-Hanynes Burn Center’s new additions include four new intensive care unit (ICU) rooms, a pre-procedure room, a post-procedure room and an office space for the burn and plastic surgery teams. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

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