Mayor Bowser Breaks Ground On Hospital, 1st In DC In 20 Years

WASHINGTON, DC — D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser helped break ground Thursday on the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center on the site of the old St. Elizabeths Hospital in Southeast D.C.

The $375 million project will include a 136-bed, full-service hospital, ambulatory pavilion for physician offices, clinics and community space, a 500-car garage, and a helipad for emergency transports.

When it opens its doors to patients in December 2024, the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center will be the first inpatient facility to open in the District of Columbia in more than 20 years.

The hospital is a project of Universal Health Services, George Washington University and Children’s National Hospital. The medical center is expected to have 550 employees.

“This is the start of a new chapter for health care in Washington, DC, especially for our neighborhoods east of the river,” Bowser said Thursday.

Services at the new medical center will include a newborn delivery with a neonatal intensive care unit, academic medicine and pediatric care, women’s health services, adult and children emergency departments, trauma center, behavioral and mental health, operations, outpatient services.

The medical center will have solar panels on the garage that will provide electric power to more than 200 households in the adjacent community.

Named after Frederick Douglass’s historic residence in Anacostia, Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health will be fully integrated with the George Washington University Hospital system.

“We are thrilled to be embarking on the development of these vital health services East of the Anacostia River so that we can better serve all residents across the District of Columbia,” said Kimberly Russo, group vice president of the D.C. region for UHS and CEO of GW Hospital.

Physicians and academic medicine at the new medical center will be provided by the George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates and the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Children’s National Hospital pediatricians, nurses, and physician assistants will provide infant and pediatric care.

“This new medical center is a win for the people of southeast D.C. as the District continues improving access to high-quality community health for children and families,” said Kurt Newman, president and CEO of Children’s National.

The 365,000 square foot project will be built by Turner Construction and MCN Build Joint Venture.