Fisher House is a home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill or injured patients receiving treatment at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. The home is available for active duty or retired military families coping with the medical crisis of a loved one and who have no local accommodations. The Fisher House is located on the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth compound in Portsmouth Virginia. It is approximately a 5 minute walk to the main hospital building.
The house offers 6 spacious rooms and 1 suite with accommodations for up to 21 persons at a given time. The home and grounds features a common kitchen, laundry room, living room, dining room and a children’s play area.
The Fisher House Foundation generously provides a grant for all families staying at the Portsmouth Fisher House,
therefore no fees are required by our guests
Loretta Loveless, Manager
Candice Edwards, Operations Assistant
Patricia Jones, Housekeeping |
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
0900 - 1700
Closed Saturdays, Sundays
and all Federal Holidays
(757) 953-6889 |
Mailing address
Fisher House
Medical Center Portsmouth
853 Fisher Drive
Portsmouth Virginia
23708 |
Guest Amenities
- All guest rooms have cable TV, phone with an answering system, remote controlled ceiling fan, laundry basket, hair dryer, linens, and towels.
- Guest internet station and WIFI.
- Toys, books, games, movies and outside play area for children.
- Cribs,strollers and high chairs are available upon request.
Fisher House Policies, Referral Procedure, and Admission Guidelines
- Fisher House is available to families of active duty and retired personnel from all services.
- Call the Fisher House directly at: (757) 953-6889 during office hours for lodging accommodations.
- Referrals may be:
- Fax (757-953-7174),
- Mail (See address above),
- Email (fishrhouse@msn.com)
- By telephone (757-953-6889) with a Fisher House staff member.
Availability and Placement
- A referral in advance of arrival may be completed and submitted to the Fisher House. Advance referrals assist in accommodating families as soon as possible. Once a referral is received it is then suitably applied to eligibility occupancy and wait lists. A referral should not be confused as a reservation.
- The Fisher House operates on a day-by-day basis, with regard to room availability, depending on the needs of our guests.
- A Fisher House staff member will contact the family regarding availability of lodging.
Referral Forms
Referrals may be prepared by Physicians, Nurses, Chaplains, Social Workers, American Red Cross, Case Managers, Patient Administration, the patient, or a family member.
Click here for a Fisher House Referral Form
Eligibility Requirements
- Patient must be eligible for treatment at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.
- Family must be traveling a distance of at least 50 miles one way and have no other local accommodations.
- Patient’s condition must be serious in nature (diagnostic testing or general procedures do not meet this criteria).
- Families are required to check out of the Fisher House when the patient is discharged to a Medical Hold Unit or placed on convalescent leave.
Admittance Guidelines
Due to priority and urgent medical needs, it is not always possible to admit families on a first come first serve basis. The following factors are taken into consideration:
- Medical Condition - Terminal, Critical, Serious.
- Financial - Junior personnel have priority.
- Status - Active duty personnel have priority.
Each family will be assigned one guest room and one parking space.
Once eligibility and availability have been confirmed, the family will be contacted by the Fisher House staff.
A family may be admitted after business hours if prior arrangements were made with the Fisher House staff.
Donations
The Fisher House appreciates the contributions from volunteers and the donations for support to enhance the Fisher House mission. Donations may be made directly to the Portsmouth Fisher House (Address above).
Please make donation checks payable to “DON Fisher House Central Fund”.