(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser, along with Thomas LeBlanc, President of George Washington (GW) University, Dr. Barbara Bass, CEO of the GW Medical Faculty Associates and Dean of the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Kimberly Russo, Group Vice President of the Washington, DC Region for UHS and Chief Executive Officer of The George Washington University Hospital, announced a historic partnership that will bring high quality medical care to the new hospital at St. Elizabeths East. Through the partnership, physicians and Advanced Practice Practitioners (APPs) of The GW Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) and The GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) will provide comprehensive health care service for adults at the new acute care hospital at St. Elizabeths and two new urgent/ambulatory facilities to open in Wards 7 and 8. GW will also provide physician leadership and medical direction for all healthcare activities.
“With this agreement, we are making good on our commitment to deliver a high-quality system of care to the St. Elizabeths East campus and the surrounding communities,” said Mayor Bowser. “We know that right now too many residents travel across town to access their health care. With the talented medical professionals from GW staffing the new hospital, thousands of Washingtonians will be able to get the right care at the right time in a world-class hospital close to home. This is a monumental step toward transforming our health care system, attacking long-standing disparities in health outcomes, and building a healthier, more equitable Washington, DC.”
In partnership with the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, the agreement also provides for the establishment of a family medicine residency, which will be focused the healthcare needs of residents of Ward 7 and Ward 8. The new hospital will feature a wide spectrum of medical services, including, but not limited to: maternal and child health, behavioral health, primary care, neurology, urology, orthopedics, emergency medicine, critical care, anesthesia, radiology, and advanced surgical services.
“This is a momentous day for The George Washington University, the GW SMHS, the GW MFA, as well as for the citizens of the District. With a long tradition of collaboration during GW’s 200-year history, the work of the University has been an important thread in the tapestry of this dynamic city. This partnership reflects GW’s high value to the city and its deep commitment to the citizens of the District,” said GW President LeBlanc.
“GW’s medical faculty, residents, staff and students are thrilled to be part of this impactful initiative to provide services in a sparkling new hospital built specifically to improve the health of the citizens of Ward 7 and Ward 8. The clinical and academic programming at GW provided by GW physicians and allied advanced providers and our healthcare teams will bring the most advanced assessment and treatment options to our patients in a new environment committed to patient centered care. We look forward to partnering with the community to determine how best we can deliver the healthcare services to meet the needs of our patients,” said Barbara L. Bass, MD, Vice President for health affairs, Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and CEO of the GW Medical Faculty Associates.
Last month, Mayor Bowser announced that an agreement had been reached between Universal Health Services and Children’s National for Children’s National pediatricians, nurses, physician assistants, and other medical staff to provide infant and pediatric care. Specifically, Children’s National staff will operate the pediatric emergency department and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
“We are proud to already partner closely with GW and The GW MFA to care for residents throughout the region. Through this enhanced partnership, and in conjunction with the District, we will create an fully integrated, comprehensive academic medical network that will be positioned to provide the highest-quality care at the right level and in the right setting for all residents across the District. We look forward to bringing these vital services East of the Anacostia River as we remain steadfastly committed to improving health access, equity and outcomes for all individuals living in our nation’s capital,” says Kimberly Russo, Group Vice President of the Washington, DC Region for UHS and Chief Executive Officer of The George Washington University Hospital.
The new 136-bed hospital, which will have the ability to expand, is a public-private partnership between the District and Universal Health Services to bring a new, $375 million, full-service hospital with trauma care and newborn deliveries to the St. Elizabeths East campus in Ward 8. The hospital construction is funded by the District. Universal Health Services will manage, operate, and maintain the facility under a 75-year lease. Recently, the hospital design received approval from the United States Commission of Fine Arts and the District Historic Preservation Review Board. The hospital is scheduled to break ground in early 2022 and open in late 2024.
Learn more about the new hospital.
This Press Releases originated on dc.mayor.gov
