DC opening new hospital in Southeast to close long-standing gap in healthcare access

WASHINGTON - A brand-new hospital is set to open its doors in a matter of days in Ward 8, aiming to close long-standing gaps in healthcare access. 

There hasn't been a new hospital in D.C. in 25 years, making this a critical milestone for healthcare in the District. 

The backstory:

This has been a long time coming, and it took years of advocacy and planning to make Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health a reality.

And while no one wants to go to a hospital, for too long residents of Wards 7 and 8 have had limited access to healthcare or have had to travel far distances. So for many, having a full service hospital at this caliber in their neighborhood is a turning point for DC. 

"This is a promise I made in 2015, and we made it," D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said talking about the new facility. 

Bowser unveiled the hospital just days before it was set to open its doors to the public. 

"This is a game changer for us east of the river," one Ward 8 resident told FOX 5. 

"I think it will be a lot more convenient for families, especially for those who don't have transportation," said another. 

What we know:

With 136 beds, a trauma center, emergency care, maternal health and delivery services, a level 2 NICU, a helipad for emergency transports, this full service hospital is a result of a $434 million public private partnership.

"What it's going to do is help uplift the status of the community and it will erase some of the systemic problems this community has faced in regards to their health," CEO Dr. Tony Coleman said.

Coleman who says the closest hospital for Ward 7 and 8 residents in terms of maternity care is United Medical Center, which closed its maternity unit eight years ago. 

"If you have a mom in active labor, and they have to go across the river at 4, 5 p.m. you could deliver that baby in the back of an ambulance," Coleman said. "So to have a hospital here that’s close is really critical to the survivability of that child." 

Local perspective:

The hospital brings the first trauma center east of the Anacostia River. 

"What we want to do here [is] reduce the amount of time to receive that care," Coleman said. 

And residents agree that the facility could provide life-saving medical help. 

"I think it’s crucial to get the care they need, as quickly as possible," a Ward 8 resident told FOX 5. "The difference has cost a lot of lives." 

For so many residents, this new hospital is a breakthrough.

"I just think this will bring more healthy families back to the community," one resident said. 

In terms of transportation, the hospital is situated between two train stations – there's a bus stop right out front and this Saturday, there will be a block party for the public to come enjoy food, games, music and get to know this new resource right here in their backyard.