(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser delivered on a promise she made during her first year as Mayor: to bring a full-service hospital to residents East of the River. The Mayor was joined by Marc D. Miller, Universal Health Services President and CEO, Dr. Anthony B. Coleman, CEO of Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health, healthcare leaders, project partners, and community members to cut the ribbon on the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health, the first new hospital built in the District in 25 years. The hospital will officially open its doors to patients on Tuesday, April 15 at 12:01 am.
“In my first year as Mayor, I made a promise to bring a full-service hospital East of the River. Today, I am proud to deliver on that promise with the beautiful Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health,” said Mayor Bowser. “Cedar Hill will change the trajectory of health care in our community. This is a first-class hospital staffed by some of the most prestigious health institutions in the world. Families will be able to get prenatal care and welcome new babies close to home, seniors and residents will have access to the specialists they need, and trauma patients will receive lifesaving care quickly. Today, I am incredibly grateful for the all the teams and people who worked with us to make this happen and I am hopeful about the future of health care in DC.”
The $434.4 million public-private partnership project spans 406,000 square feet on the historic St. Elizabeths East campus in Ward 8. A full-service facility, Cedar Hill contains 136 beds (with the capacity to expand to 184), trauma care, and a 54-bay emergency department—30 for adults and 24 for children. The hospital also features maternal health and delivery services, including a six-bed well-baby nursery and a Level II NICU; five operating rooms (expandable to seven); an ambulatory pavilion; a 500-car parking garage; and a helipad for emergency transport. Cedar Hill will also offer a full range of outpatient and specialty services such as dialysis, infusion, cardiac rehab, physical therapy, and more.
“Today begins a new direction of prioritizing the health and wellbeing of DC residents who live east of the river,” said Dr. Anthony Coleman, CEO of Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, GW Health. “Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health was most needed in Wards 7 and 8, and I’m proud to lead an organization that will improve the health status of our community.”
The Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health will be integrated with the George Washington University Hospital and two new health centers in Wards 7 and 8, supported by Universal Health Services’ (UHS) $75 million commitment to health infrastructure. In October 2022, Mayor Bowser opened the Cedar Hill Urgent Care GW Health and last February, it was announced that UHS will open a $22 million, 14-bed freestanding emergency department in Ward 7 on the Fletcher Johnson Campus. That facility is scheduled to open in late 2027.
“This is a monumental day for Universal Health Services, DC Government, and most importantly, the residents of this community and across the District who will now have access to high-quality care at this brand-new hospital,” said Marc D. Miller, President and CEO, Universal Health Services. “Our vision for growth and serving more patients is bold. We are proud to partner in creating an integrated academic medical network to meet the needs of this community. Together, we have collaborated on a plan realized today that will transform healthcare for area residents.”
Through this network, the GW Medical Faculty Associates will deliver excellent care supported by leading medical professionals and a commitment to world-class research.
“George Washington University is honored to be a partner in providing care at the new hospital to serve the residents of the District,” said Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), Barbara Lee Bass, MD. “Our GW SMHS and Medical Faculty Associates faculty physicians and care providers are dedicated to providing world-class, patient-centered care, with the goal of ensuring good health outcomes and health equity for all in the nation's capital.”
Children’s National Hospital will operate the 24-bay pediatric emergency department and the Level II NICU at Cedar Hill.
“Ensuring that children and families in Wards 7 and 8, as well as the surrounding region, have access to expert pediatric care close to home is central to our mission at Children’s National,” said Michelle Riley-Brown, president and CEO of Children’s National Hospital. “Through our partnership with Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health, we’re expanding high-quality emergency and neonatal care where it’s needed most—giving every child the chance to thrive.”
More than 500 District residents worked on construction of the new hospital, including 321 new hires from Wards 5 (98), 7 (102), and 8 (121). It also exceeded its 35% Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) participation goal, with $123 million in construction spending going to CBEs, including $42 million directed to CBEs in Wards 5, 7, and 8.
Since taking office in 2015, Mayor Bowser has committed over $900 million to transform the St. Elizabeths East campus, delivering on a broader vision for equitable development and opportunity in Ward 8. Completed projects include:
- CareFirst Arena (formerly ESA)
- The Residences at St. Elizabeths East
- A 750-space parking garage
- The 801 East Men’s Shelter replacement facility
- District Towns at St. Elizabeths East townhome project
- Sycamore & Oak retail village
- Whitman-Walker Max Robinson Center, which will also be the site of the District’s second Advanced Technical Center
The community is invited to celebrate the new hospital at a block party on Saturday, April 12 from 11 am to 2 pm.
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