In health news, the District announced on Wednesday plans to expand the size of the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, George Washington Health Center in Ward 8 on the St. Elizabeths East Campus. This expansion was made possible through a $17 million investment from Universal Health Services and will allow an additional fourth floor and larger diagnostic treatment unit to be included in the new hospital.

The new floor will be able to accommodate 48 additional beds – increasing the total number of beds from 136 to 184. The additional beds and diagnostic space will provide flexibility in responding to future health and regional emergencies. When it opens its doors in FY25, the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center will be the first inpatient facility to open in the District, on the East End, in more than 20 years. The state-of-the-art, full-service hospital also includes a trauma center, ambulatory pavilion for physician offices, clinics and community space, and a helipad for emergency transports.

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“I am very excited that we are building the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, GW Health hospital with the shell space to grow into the nation’s premier community hospital with 184 beds,” said Councilmember Gray.

“When I met with Dr. Elaine Batchlor, the CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, in Los Angeles, she advised us to build our new hospital with room to grow.  I commend Universal Health Services for funding the $17 million for this increased 48-bed capacity and larger hospital, and Mayor Bowser on her continued leadership and commitment to this transformational hospital project that will create a generational shift for health equity in the city, as part of our vision to create a comprehensive system of healthcare on the District's East End.”

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Read the full press release here: Plans to Expand New Regional Medical Center.

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