George Washington University Hospital

The George Washington University Hospital
School Of Medicine and Health Sciences
The George Washington University Hospital in 2012
Geography
Location	900 23rd Street NW, Washington Metropolitan Area, Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates	38°54′04″N 77°03′02″W / 38.9012°N 77.0506°W / 38.9012; -77.0506Coordinates: 38°54′04″N 77°03′02″W / 38.9012°N 77.0506°W / 38.9012; -77.0506
Organization
Affiliated university	George Washington University
Services
Emergency department	Level I trauma center
Beds	371
History
Founded	1824 (August 23, 2002-current building)
Links
Website	http://www.gwhospital.com
Lists	Hospitals in the United States

The George Washington University Hospital is the hub of a major medical center in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It was established in 1824 as the first teaching hospital in the District of Columbia. The current facility opened on August 23, 2002, with 371 beds in a 400,000 sq. ft. building, housing more than $45 million of medical equipment and costing over $96 million to construct.^{[citation needed]} The hospital is licensed by the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and accredited by the U.S. Joint Commission.

Since 1997, The George Washington University Hospital has been jointly owned and operated by a parnership between a subsidiary of Universal Health Services and The George Washington University. Under the terms of this partnership, The District Hospital Partners, Inc., UHS owns an 80% interest and manages the hospital and the GW University holds a 20% interest.^[1]

Services

Emergency Medicine

Only minutes away from Washington, D.C.'s downtown tourist sites and just 10 blocks from the White House, the Emergency Department at GW Hospital plays an essential role in caring for the urgent health needs of the District of Columbia. The department cares for nearly 75,000 patients each year, including serious injuries, as a Level 1 Trauma Center. The walk-in entrance is located just south of Washington Circle on 23rd Street on the west side of the street. ^[2]

The Cardiovascular Center

Provides patients with a comprehensive program for advanced treatment of heart disease and vascular disorders, noninvasive diagnostics, 24-hour Interventional Cardiologist & Cath Lab, cardiac catheterization, heart rhythm disorders and treatments, & cardiovascular surgery.^[3] In conjunction with the Emergency Department and The District of Columbia Fire & EMS, GW aggressively treats myocardial infarctions through the use of the "cath attack" program. When DCFEMS paramedics in the field recognize a patient experiencing a STEMI (ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction), they can transmit the ECG directly to the ED Physicians. This program allows patients experiencing ST elevation MI (STEMI) to many times bypass the ED and go directly to the cardiac catheterization lab thus significantly reducing the time to open the vessel. GWUH is one of only three hospitals in Washington DC that has been designated for the EMS transport of patients with a STEMI.

Staff

Leadership

Barry A. Wolfman joined The George Washington University Hospital as CEO/Managing Director on April 23, 2012. His most recent position was with Providence Health and Services, as Chief Executive at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California.^[4]

Kimberly Russo, MS was appointed Chief Operating Officer of George Washington University Hospital effective April 1, 2009. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Russo served the hospital as Associate Administrator since August 2006, and previously as Executive Director of Rehabilitation Services. She holds an MBA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, through a collaborative leadership program with Gallup, a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Rush University in Chicago, Illinois, and a Bachelor of Science in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Illinois State University. ^[5]

Gary Little, MD, FAAEM was named Medical Director of The George Washington University Hospital in March 2009. Dr. Little is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at The George Washington University Medical Center. Prior to coming on board as medical director, Dr. Little was chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly, Md.^[6]

Previous Leadership

Trent Crable, MBA, CPA, CHE was appointed Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director of The George Washington University Hospital in January 2009 after serving as interim CEO since June 2008. Previously he had served as the hospital's Chief Operating Officer since May 2005.^[7]

Richard B. Becker, M.D. was named CEO/ Managing Director of The George Washington University Hospital afer serving as Interim CEO since March 1, 2004. Dr. Becker had previously served as the hospital's Medical Director and was appointed August 1998.^[8]

Daniel P. McLean was appointed CEO and managed the hospital from August 8, 2000 until March, 2004.^[9]

Phillip S. Schaengold, J.D. served as CEO from 1997 - 2000.^[10]

History

Founded in 1824, The George Washington University Hospital was part of The George Washington University until 1997, when the university partnered with Universal Health Services (UHS). GWU still maintains a 20% stake in the new hospital.

The old George Washington University Hospital was located directly across the street from the current site at 901 23rd Street. The hospital, which was constructed in 1948, housed 501 patient beds.

In 1981, when President Ronald Reagan was shot outside of the Washington Hilton, he was transported by the United States Secret Service to The George Washington University Hospital emergency department.^[11]

The first patient was Mr. Floyd Godfrey.^[11] On August 24, 2002 at 12:51 a.m. the first baby was born in the new hospital: Genesis Ann Palmer, weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces was born to parents Marquita and Gerald Palmer.^[12]

References