Joined RVA757 Connects: 2021

William B. “Bill” Downey became executive vice chairman and special advisor to the Riverside Health System Board in 2023, after serving as president and chief executive officer of Riverside Health System since 2012.

He joined Riverside Health System in May 1981 as an administrative extern upon completion of his undergraduate degree from James Madison University. 

After completing his Master’s in Health Administration at MCV, he returned to Riverside in May 1985 and held numerous executive roles until leaving Riverside in 1995 to become president and CEO of Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem, Virginia, and then CEO of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson, Fla. 

Downey returned to Riverside in 2001.

Over his more than 40-year career, Downey has been involved in numerous community organizations, including as past chair of the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, the Virginia Living Museum, and the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association.  He currently serves on the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable, the Virginia Business Council, and Towne Bank-Peninsula

Downey has been recognized with several lifetime achievement and community building awards.  He was recently recognized by the Urban League of Hampton Roads with its Martin Luther King Jr, Community Leaders Award and by the Virginia Peninsula Chamber with its Citizen of the Year award.