George Washington University Hospital facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The George Washington University Hospital
Universal Health Services
The George Washington University Hospital in 2012
Geography
Location	900 23rd Street NW, Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates	38°54′04″N 77°03′02″W / 38.9012°N 77.0506°W / 38.9012; -77.0506
Organization
Affiliated university	George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Services
Standards	Joint Commission
Emergency department	Level I trauma center
Helipad	(FAA LID: 24D)C
Beds	395
History
Founded	1844 (August 23, 2002-current building)

The George Washington University Hospital (GWUH) is a hospital in Washington, D.C.. It works closely with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Since 2022, a company called Universal Health Services has owned and run the hospital. However, it still has strong connections with George Washington University (GWU).

The hospital building you see today opened on August 23, 2002. It is very large, about 400,000 square feet. It has 395 beds for patients and lots of modern medical equipment. The hospital is approved by the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. It is also checked and approved by the U.S. Joint Commission, which makes sure hospitals are safe and provide good care.

Kimberly (Kim) Russo was the main leader, or chief executive officer, of GWUH from June 2016 until April 2025. She had worked there for seven years before that as the chief operating officer.

A Look Back: The Hospital's History

The George Washington University Hospital has a long and interesting history. It started as a medical department in Columbian College in 1824. This was one of the first medical schools in the United States. It was also the very first one in Washington, D.C.

Key Moments in GWUH History

• 1824: The first medical department was in downtown Washington, D.C. It was near Ford's Theater.
• 1840s: It moved to a bigger building at Judiciary Square. This building became the first general hospital in the nation's capital.
• 1853: The hospital grew even more. It started teaching clinical studies, which means students learned by working with real patients. This was very new for the time.
• 1861: During the American Civil War, the government used the hospital for injured soldiers. Sadly, it was destroyed by fire soon after.
• 1863: The medical college reopened after the fire. It moved to a new spot on E Street.
• 1868: The hospital and medical school moved again. This time, they went to 1335 H Street.
• 1904: The hospital and medical school were renamed. They became The George Washington University Medical School and Hospital. Many famous doctors worked there then. These included Major Walter Reed, who found out that mosquitoes carry yellow fever. Dr. Theobald Smith also did important work. He discovered that germs cause diseases. Dr. Frederick F. Russell brought the typhoid vaccine to the Army.
• 1928: The medical department became three separate parts. These were the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, and the University Hospital.
• 1948: The GW Hospital moved to Foggy Bottom. This new building had 501 beds for patients. It was the largest private building in D.C. when it opened.
• 1981: President Ronald Reagan was rushed to GW's Emergency Department. This happened after someone tried to harm him. He had gunshot wounds. The emergency center was later named after President Reagan.
• 1996: The hospital started a special program. It offered mobile mammograms to help women find breast cancer early. This program helps women in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. It helps everyone, no matter if they can pay or not. This program still helps many people today.
• 1997: Universal Health Services bought a large part of the hospital (80%). They took over running it day-to-day.
• 2002: GW Hospital moved to its current location across the street. This new building was the first new hospital in D.C. in over 20 years.
• 2019: GW Hospital opened a new helipad on its roof. This was a big deal because a D.C. law from the 1980s had stopped new helipads. The new law allows hospitals that treat very serious injuries (Level I Trauma Centers) to have them. Helicopters now bring very sick or injured patients to the hospital quickly.
• 2022: Universal Health Services bought the rest of the hospital (the last 20%) from the university. They became the only owner. But the university and hospital still work together. The university's medical school is the hospital's official partner.
• 2024: GW Hospital opened The Grace Anne Dorney Pulmonary Rehabilitation Clinic. This clinic helps people with lung problems. Ted Koppel and his wife, Grace Anne Dorney Koppel, helped fund it. This was the 11th clinic they helped open.

Hospital Services: What GWUH Offers

The George Washington University Hospital provides many important medical services.

Emergency Care: The Ronald Reagan Institute

The Ronald Reagan Institute of Emergency Medicine started at GW University in 1991. This department helps about 85,000 patients every year. It is a Level 1 trauma center, which means it can treat the most serious injuries.

The emergency department has:

• 52 beds for emergency patients.
• 2 special rooms for treating severe injuries (trauma bays).
• 6 rooms for patients who need critical care.
• 5 isolation rooms to prevent the spread of germs.
• 12 fast-track rooms for less serious problems.

Trauma and Critical Care Center

The George Washington University Hospital is a top-level trauma center. It is approved by the ACS (American College of Surgeons). GWUH treats the most seriously injured patients from Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. It also takes patients transferred from hospitals in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The rooftop helipad, added in 2019, helps bring these patients to the hospital even faster. This quick transport is very important for people with critical injuries.

Heart Health: Cardiovascular Center

GWUH has a full program for treating heart and blood vessel problems. They use special tests to find problems early. They have heart doctors available 24 hours a day. They also perform heart procedures and surgeries.

Stroke Care: Comprehensive Stroke Center

GWUH is a special center for treating strokes. They offer care 24 hours a day for different types of strokes. A team of experts works together to help stroke patients. This team includes brain doctors, surgeons, and other specialists. The hospital also has a unit where stroke patients can get rehabilitation. This means patients can get all their care in one place.

See also

In Spanish: George Washington University Hospital para niños