When Reese Jackson learned that on September 15, the Chesapeake Rotary Club will honor him as Chesapeake's First Citizen of 2022, his initial reaction was disbelief.

"I have so much admiration for those who received this honor in the past," he says. "But when they were chosen, they had lived in Chesapeake for more than five years. I compare myself to them and think, Wow! As a fairly recent newcomer to the city, I just 'joined the club,' so to speak, and still feel as if I'm on the outside looking in. And I ask myself, is it me personally who is being recognized, or is it my role?"

Since 2016, Reese's "role" has been President and CEO of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare. The healthcare system includes Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, an independent public hospital on the move. Currently, he is overseeing a $135 million construction overhaul of the hospital, including the expansion and renovation of the newly named Priority Toyota Cancer Center, a Critical Care Tower, the renovation of The Birthplace, and what will hopefully soon be a cardiac surgical program. "In some way, I think I was chosen because I represent the 2,500 dedicated employees who carry out the work of Chesapeake Regional," he says.

As for being a "newcomer to the city," Chesapeake is, in many respects, a different world from that of Reese's native Texas. But it was there that he learned the value of public service and community leadership-values he brings to his work at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare.
"As a child, I lived in several small towns," he recalls. "Most of my parents' friends were farmers. My dad was a West Texas school superintendent. Growing up as a school superintendent's son, I saw my dad as a community leader."

One pivotal event in Reese's early life also kindled a deep appreciation for the medical community: "One weekend, I came home from Sunday school, and my mom said, 'You need to drive me to the emergency room.' She suffered multiple brain aneurysms-but her life was spared by prayer and the skilled hands of a neurosurgeon. We're shaped by personal experiences like that. As an undergrad at Texas Tech, I knew I wanted to be a healthcare executive. My interest in the "business side" was piqued when I worked in the library and had the opportunity to peruse the periodicals and medical trade magazines."

"For me, my career is a calling," Reese continues. "While at Tech, I volunteered at St. Mary of the Plains Hospital in Lubbock. I remember sitting in the hospital's atrium, working at the front desk with Sister Anita, and feeling very intensely that this was what God wanted me to do with my life."
In the early 1990s, Reese moved to Richmond, Virginia, where he earned a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration and a Doctor of Law degree. While there, he met his wife, Mary Ann, a "generations-deep" Richmonder from a large Catholic family and a registered nurse.  

Once married, the couple first lived in Santa Rosa, California, where Reese worked for the St. Joseph Health System. Then the couple moved to Corpus Christi, where Reese worked for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, first as Vice President (Planning and Managed Care) and then as Administrator. "During my six years in Corpus, I worked extremely hard, learning by doing, greatly developing my skills as a healthcare executive," Reese says.

Reese and Mary Ann's time in Corpus Christi also saw the birth of their first daughter. Later, they adopted their second daughter. "We are happy to have our nature child and our nurture child," Reese says, smiling warmly.

In the following years, Reese's career took the family around the country: Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was Senior Vice President of Operations for the Saint Francis Health System; Winchester, Virginia, where he served as Chief Operating Officer of Valley Health; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was President and CEO of Forbes Regional Hospital.

During those years, Reese credits Mary Ann with making each house a home. "She makes our family work," he insists. "I think I'm a good dad, but Mary Ann is the rock, not me."

Moving to Chesapeake six years ago to serve as President and CEO of Chesapeake Regional was, in Reese's words, "a dream come true." Not only was it an opportunity for community leadership, but it also brought Reese and Mary Ann closer to their family in Richmond.

"When I arrived here, I felt it was important to meet with each Authority Board member and Chesapeake City Council member," Reese says. "I felt as if I made 20 new friends. The consistent theme I heard from all 20 was, 'This hospital is our city's crown jewel. We want to see it shine.' I have felt really well-supported each and every day that I've worked here."

Reese was also impressed by the sense of community in Chesapeake. "One of my first experiences in the city was attending the annual Christmas parade," he explains. "They have the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, yet nothing compares to the huge turnout for the Chesapeake Christmas Parade. And I was very impressed that the hospital helped sponsor the event."

Looking toward the future, Reese sees great things ahead for the City of Chesapeake and for Chesapeake Regional Healthcare.

"The city is growing among every age band," he points out. "Many communities in America can't say that; their senior population may be growing, but not every age band. Chesapeake is now the second largest city in the Commonwealth. It was always large land-wise, but the population is growing into it. Those are very favorable demographics from a healthcare perspective.

"The hospital's proximity to Highways 17 and 64 makes it well suited to serve people across the region," Reese continues. "We are now a comprehensive stroke center-a huge accomplishment. As a public hospital, the governing board really represents the community. They hold executives responsible for meeting the needs of patients, caring about employees, and having a vision for the future.

"When I was younger, I was told that in a career, you need to reinvent yourself every three to five years. That principle doesn't only apply to professional development; it also applies to organizations,' Reese concludes. "What can we at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare do to continually meet the evolving needs of our community? Where are there gaps? What can we do that we're not doing? Our core business is acute care, and we also serve a growing population with ambulatory needs. That's why we must innovate, innovate for your life-because you live here with us. Together we are one community."