D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser—along with George Washington University President Thomas LeBlanc, Barbara Bass, the 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, D.C., region for Universal Health Services (UHS) and CEO 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 of the GW MFA and the 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 Ms. Bowser (D). “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, D.C.”
In partnership with the SMHS, the agreement also provides for the establishment of a family medicine residency, which will be focused on 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,” Dr. LeBlanc said. “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.”
Dr. Bass said that 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,” Dr. Bass said. “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."