New Hospital at St. Elizabeths East

Building a New GW Health Hospital at St. Elizabeth's in Ward 8

A new hospital in Ward 8 will improve access to high quality, integrated care for all District residents and help address disparities in health outcomes.

Mayor Muriel Bowser submitted to the Council of the District of Columbia a 75-year agreement for a new GW Health Hospital and Ambulatory Pavilion at St. Elizabeths East in Ward 8, near the Congress Heights Metro and the Entertainment and Sports Arena, to be operated and maintained by Universal Health Services. The new hospital will look, feel and function much like Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital. Specifically, the agreement ensures that a wide array of critical health and specialty services will be readily accessible to the residents of Wards 7 and 8 at state-of-the-art facilities, including, but not limited to: trauma care, newborn deliveries and maternal health, orthopedic, cardiac and hypertension, cancer, kidney, rehabilitation, general surgery and mental health services.

There is nothing more important than the health and well-being of Washingtonians. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of having a strong, citywide health system that provides high quality, integrated care to all District residents. This agreement will help transform our health care system by promoting equity in care, access, and outcomes.

Why were Universal Health Services and George Washington University selected?

UHS, through its operation of George Washington University Hospital in partnership with the GW Medical Faculty Associates, has a long history of serving Washington, DC and its residents, including providing care to many individuals living in Wards 7 and 8. UHS’s proposal met all criteria and a partnership with the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the GW Medical Faculty Associates is in the best long-term interest of District residents.

When will the new facilities open?

The new ambulatory pavilion is scheduled to open in the fall of 2023 and the new hospital is currently scheduled to open in the fall of 2024.

Where will new hospital be located?

How many beds will the new hospital have?

The new hospital will have 136 beds and be constructed to be able to expand to 196 beds.

Will newborn deliveries and maternal health be available at the new hospital?

Yes. The new hospital will include maternal health and newborn nursery services, obstetric services, and a Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

What type of services will be offered at the ambulatory pavilion and hospital?

The services will include, but are not limited to:

Verified trauma center
Newborn deliveries
Maternal health
Orthopedic
Cardiac and hypertension
Cancer
Kidney
Rehabilitation
Wound care
General surgery
Mental health services

The new hospital will also be clinically integrated with the GW University Hospital at Foggy Bottom. GW Medical Faculty Associates and the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences are working with UHS regarding the clinical services and academic programs at the new hospital.

What community benefits is Universal Health Services providing?

UHS will invest a total of more than $75 million in Wards 7 and 8 over ten years, including $21M for two urgent care centers, one each in each ward. In addition, UHS will operate, manage and maintain the new hospital. They must also establish educational, training, hiring, apprenticeship, and mentoring programs for District residents interested in pursuing health care careers.

How much money is being invested in the Project?

The Bowser Administration has budgeted $375 million for the construction of a new hospital ($293M), ambulatory pavilion ($69M) and parking garage ($13M). Universal Health will also be contributing $75 million. These investments will create and support up to 5,000 jobs.

Does the new hospital have to follow Certified Business Enterprise and First Source requirements?

Yes, the District’s CBE and First Source laws apply to both the construction and operations of the new hospital.

Will the community have an opportunity for input?

Yes. We are committed to working with the community to discuss how a new hospital and health system will fit with their neighborhood and address their healthcare needs.

What will happen with United Medical Center (UMC)?

UMC will continue to operate until the new hospital is opened.

What will happen to the current staff who work at UMC?

The agreement includes a training program for existing United Medical Center staff who wish to work at the new hospital to help ensure that existing UMC staff meet the credentialing and/or hiring standards of the new hospital. Staff who meet those standards and are interested in working at the new hospital will receive a hiring preference. The District will begin the training program two years prior to the hospital opening.

What else is happening on the St. Elizabeths campus?

The redevelopment of St. Elizabeths envisions a multiuse, mixed-income, walkable, and livable community. The campus also includes the new Entertainment and Sports Arena as well as a new emergency shelter for men. Learn more here: stelizabethseast.com

What comes next?

The Council of the District of Columbia will set hearing dates so the agreement can be reviewed and voted on before the beginning of August.

How is the District supporting the building of a new Howard University Hospital on Georgia Avenue in Ward 1?

The District is partnering with Howard University so it can build a new, Level 1, Howard University Hospital by 2026. Specifically, the District is investing:

$225 million through a 20-year tax abatement.
$25 million in infrastructure support.
$26.6 million over six years to support five Centers of Excellence at the existing and new Howard University Hospital, including: Centers on Trauma and Violence Prevention, Women’s Health, Oral Health, Sickle Cell, and Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders.
A District agency to be a tenant in the future redevelopment.

This partnership reflects the critical role that Howard plays in the District’s delivery of healthcare—especially to underserved residents—and the Howard College of Medicine’s leadership in training African American physicians and health professionals. Howard and its partner, Adventist Heathcare, plan for the new $650 million Howard University Hospital to open by 2026. The new Academic Teaching Hospital will have a Level 1 trauma center and 225 beds. The current hospital will remain open until the new facility is complete.

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