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Ward 8 Residents Celebrate and Express Hopes for D.C.’s Newest Hospital

April 15, 2025

Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health, the first new hospital in DC in 25 years, officially opened on April 15 at St. Elizabeths East Campus in Ward 8, bringing much-needed healthcare services to residents east of the Anacostia River. The full-service hospital features 136 beds (expandable to 184), trauma care, a 54-bay emergency department, maternal health services including a six-bed well-baby nursery and Level II NICU, and various specialty services such as dialysis, infusion, cardiac rehab, and physical therapy. The hospital's development involved years of advocacy from DC Council members, particularly Vincent C.

Who is affected

  • Residents of Ward 8 and communities east of the Anacostia River
  • Mothers who previously had to travel long distances for maternal care
  • Patients requiring specialty medical services like neurology, cardiology, and physical therapy
  • Families of trauma victims who previously had limited emergency care options
  • Community members who experience higher rates of cancer, maternal mortality, opioid overdoses, and gun violence deaths
  • Residents requiring dialysis, infusion, cardiac rehab, and other specialty services

What action is being taken

  • Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health is now operating as a full-service hospital in Ward 8
  • The hospital is providing trauma care, maternal health services, and specialty medical services to the community
  • GW Health is integrating the new hospital with George Washington University Hospital and UHS-supported health centers in Wards 7 and 8
  • The hospital is offering employment opportunities to community members
  • Dr. Anthony Coleman, CEO of Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, is actively listening to community members as he settles into his new role

Why it matters

  • This is DC's first new hospital in 25 years, addressing a critical healthcare gap east of the Anacostia River
  • It marks the first time since 2019 that residents can give birth in a labor and delivery unit in Ward 7 or 8
  • The hospital provides local access to specialty services that previously required long travel times
  • Residents of Wards 7 and 8 experience significantly higher rates of cancer, maternal mortality, opioid overdoses, and gun violence deaths compared to other wards
  • The hospital represents the culmination of decades of advocacy to ensure universal access to healthcare regardless of ability to pay
  • It potentially improves health outcomes by reducing travel time and increasing healthcare accessibility

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer

Ward 8 Residents Celebrate and Express Hopes for D.C.’s Newest Hospital