The complete guide to Fort Belvoir Community Hospital

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sailors
Hundreds of service members at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and celebrated their unique service cultures and bonds as one of the only two joint military medical facilities in the U.S. during a summer formation and uniform transition ceremony July 10, 2015. (Department of Defense photo by Reese Brown)

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Looking for a Fort Belvoir Community Hospital directory? Then this guide is for you! In addition to a pharmacy, Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital (FBCH) also has an emergency room, making it the ideal place to seek treatment for service members and families living in the National Capital Region.

While FBCH is located on Ft. Belvoir, it operates as one of the few joint-service medical facilities. Here, you’ll find Soldiers as well as Airmen and Sailors all contributing to the health and wellness of the military and their families. 

Overview

FBCH is one of the largest medical facilities in Northern Virginia. It also provides all levels of in and outpatient care. In addition to its main, 1.3-million square foot facility, satellite health centers are located in Fairfax and Dumfries, Virginia. At the Pentagon, you’ll find the DiLorenzo Tricare Health Clinic as well. 

These days, the 120-bed facility has a seven-story main structure. Outpatient clinics flank either side of the main structure. There are five buildings in total, over 3,5000 parking spaces, and 44 clinics. It’s also home to one of the military’s only substance abuse programs. 

Specialty clinics include cardiology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. 

Before BRAC changed so much, lots of DoD installations had complete medical centers embedded on the footprint. This made it easy for service members to seek care. Here are some lesser known facts about medical centers.

Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital Location

FBCH is located on post at Ft. Belvoir in northern Virginia.  

fort belvoir community hospital
A view of the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital at Fort Belvoir, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Sharay Bennett/Released)

Directions

Driving from the north? Take I-95 South, then take exit 166A. Turn left onto Route 1. The Tulley Gate is on the right. Tulley is Ft. Belvoir’s main gate. It’s open 24/7. 

Head in from the south, take I-95 North, then take exit 161B. Continue on the Parkway until it ends at Route 1. Turn left and the Tulley Gate will be on your right. 

Transportation

If you’re traveling by plane, Reagan National Airport in nearby Arlington, Virginia is the closest airport. However, it’s also one of the busiest airports in the country! Dulles International Airport is about 35 miles from post.

There’s an Amtrak station right outside of the installation’s gates.

As of this time, there’s no on-post shuttle. 

Gates and Hours

Ft. Belvoir has seven gates. 

The Visitor Control Center is at Tulley Gate. 

Tulley Gate (Main Gate), open Monday – Friday 0600 – 1800. Closed weekends.

Pence Gate, open Monday – Friday 0530 – 2100, exit only 24/7, weekends 0600 – 2100.

Telegraph Gate, open Monday – Friday 0600 – 1800. Closed weekends and holidays. 

Kingman Gate, Monday – Sunday, 0600 – 1800, exit only 0600 – 2000. 

Walker Gate, CLOSED

Lieber Gate, 24/7 

Contacts at Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital

Appointments (855) 227-6331

Behavioral Health (571) 231-3224

Behavioral Health (800) 404-4506

Chaplain Office (703) 806-3006

DoD Safe Helpline (877) 995-5247

Duty Officer (703) 805-4002 (after hours/weekends)

Ft Belvoir Pharmacy (571) 231-3224

General Information (571) 231-3224

Housing Welcome Center (703) 619-3877

Installation Access (703) 806-4892

Installation SHARP Hotline (703) 740-7029

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255

Pharmacy Refills (800) 377-1723

Radiology (571) 231-3224

School Liaison Office (703) 805-5555

Veterans Crisis Line (800) 273-8255 Press 1

medical center at Fort Belvoir
Doctors and nurses show Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal their new remote control da Vinci Surgical System, which enables surgeons to perform operations through tiny incisions and is powered by high-tech robotics that gives the surgeon the best possible view with HD cameras at the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.

Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital History

FBCH opened in August 2011. It replaced Ft. Belvoir’s existing medical facility, DeWitt Army Community Hospital. As a result of the 2005 BRAC, nearby Walter Reed Medical Center merged with the National Naval Medical Center. This meant that the new Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital needed to absorb significant portions of Walter Reed Medical Center as well. 

DeWitt Army Community Hospital opened in 1957 and was named in honor of Brig. Gen. Wallace DeWitt Sr., a surgeon who served in both WWI and WWII. Dewitt was the only military inpatient facility in Northern Virginia and had 46 beds. Dewitt was the center of the DeWitt Health Care Network, which included medical facilities at neary Fort Myer and Ft A.P. Hill.  

Things to Do Around Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital

FBCH’s proximity to Washington, D.C. means there’s always something to do. From a day trip to the National Mall to visiting any of the Smithsonian Museums, you’ll never run out of fun and exciting activities.          

Hotels

Since this is such a popular tourist destination, finding a hotel should be easy.

Best Western Mount Vernon (703) 360-1300

Candlewood Suites Alexandria (800) 980-6467

TowneSuites Place by Marriott Alexandria (703) 619-6060

soldiers at Fort Belvoir
Soldiers from the Military District of Washington Special Reaction Team (SRT), 289th MP Co., 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conduct a training exercise at the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, Va., September 13th, 2016. (U.S. Army Photos by Sgt. Cody W. Torkelson)

Food Scene

Of course, being so close to so many major cities means you’ll never run out of places to eat. In the first place, the National Capital Region is well known for its food. So all you’ll need to do is seek out the cuisine you want! And the closeness of Ft. Belvoir to Maryland means you’ll be able to enjoy Maryland’s rich seafood cuisine as well. Don’t skimp on seeking out an authentic crab shack. When it’s time for something sweet, seek out a Smith Island cake. The cake is made from 8-10 thin layers of yellow cake with chocolate fudge frosting as a filler. 

Activities

Be sure to head into D.C. when you need a break from Ft. Belvoir. Catch a show at the Kennedy Center or just ramble around our nation’s capital. You’ll find something interesting around every corner. 

Nearby Alexandria offers a picturesque historic downtown. Or you might enjoy traveling a few miles to the National Army Museum. Tours of George Washington’s estate are also available. Further south, check out nearby Quantico and the Marine Corps museum.  

Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital Housing

The cost of living in Northern Virginia is higher than many other areas in the country. If your family has the option of living on post, it might be most beneficial.

The Villages at Belvoir offers more than 2,200 homes on post for Soldiers, families, and Wounded Warriors. Speak with the Housing Office for more information, including wait times. 

Single Soldiers are required to live in the barracks. Call the Unaccompanied Housing Office to speak with someone about specifics. 

Schools Near Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital

There are no DoD schools on post. However, mil-kids who call Ft. Belvoir home can attend either Alexandria City public schools or Fairfax County public schools. Speak with the School Liaison Office for more information, including Virginia enrollment requirements. 

training at Fort Belvoir
A surgeon from Fort Belvior Community Hospital performs a surgical procedure on a simulated patient as a soldier from 1st Medical Training Brigade oversees the event on Fort Belvoir, Va., Jan. 21.

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in?

FBCH is in Fairfax County, Virginia. 

What medical technology is used in Fort Belvoir Community Hospital?

This military hospital is cutting edge and uses the latest medical technology available to provide quality care for America’s military and families. 

What time does Fort Belvoir Community Hospital close?

Some sections, like the emergency room, are 24/7. Call the specific clinic for more specific information. 

What’s the best Tricare plan? 

That’s a hard question to answer and will depend on your and your family’s needs. Check out this resource for thoughts on what to consider when choosing a new plan.