Georgetown University Hospital - History

History

Georgetown University Hospital was founded in 1898 as part of Georgetown University. The facility opened with 33 beds and was staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis. The Hospital moved to its current location on Reservoir Road NW in 1930.

In the past century the hospital has grown to include a community physician practice, the Lombardi Cancer Center and scores of clinical departments and divisions. Through its 100-year relationship with Georgetown University, the hospital collaborates in training students from both the School of Medicine (almost 500 residents and fellows annually) and the School of Nursing & Health Studies. Additionally, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital works closely with the university's research enterprise to help bring innovative therapies from the scientific laboratory to the patient bedside. The Main Hospital was built in 1947 and was the first building erected in what is now the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital complex. The hospital, now more than 80 percent renovated, houses multiple patient units, hospital administration offices, and hospital support services. In July 2000, Georgetown University entered into a partnership with Medstar Health, a not-for-profit organization of two other Washington hospitals and five Baltimore hospitals- including another Catholic hospital. This partnership greatly improves the clinical efficiency and increases the diversity of clinical experiences available to students. The new Georgetown/Medstar partnership remains committed to the Catholic Jesuit ideals of care for the whole patient and service to those less fortunate. As the School of Medicine enters its 150th Anniversary year, the hospital has just completed its centennial celebration With primary care providers at nine sites in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital's clinical services represent one of the largest, most geographically diverse and fully integrated healthcare delivery networks in the area. M. Joy Drass, MD, an alumna of Georgetown University School of Medicine, was appointed President of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in October, 2000 and continues to lead the hospital today.

The hospital was ranked in 13 specialty areas in 2001 U.S. News & World Report's "Best Hospitals" issue. MedStar Georgetown was ranked in more categories than any other Washington-area hospital was awarded Magnet Status by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in 2004. MedStar Georgetown was the first, and remains the only, hospital in the District to be awarded this distinction.