WASHINGTON, D.C. — The grand opening for the first new, freestanding, full-service Washington, D.C. hospital in more than 25 years was publicly announced April 12, following an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 10.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, George Washington University Hospital dignitaries, healthcare leaders and community partners attended the ribbon cutting for Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health, a 136-bed, 406,696-square-foot facility on the historic St. Elizabeths East Campus.
Cedar Hill’s services include adult and pediatric emergency departments, a verified trauma center, maternal health and delivery services, an ambulatory pavilion with physician offices and clinics and a 500-car garage and helipad for emergency transport.
WSP, one of the world’s leading professional services firms, designed the building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The firm provided acoustic design, fire protection and technology services as well.
The facility represents a critical investment in the health and well-being of residents, particularly those east of the Anacostia River, and is the foundation of a new, fully integrated healthcare system that will improve access to essential medical services in Wards 7 and 8. The hospital will work in coordination with two new urgent care centers, existing healthcare providers and George Washington University Hospital to establish a robust continuum of care for D.C. residents.
“With the opening of Cedar Hill, we are fulfilling a decades-long promise to bring high-quality, equitable healthcare to our residents,” said Mayor Bowser. “We promised to deliver a world-class health care facility here in Ward 8. Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health is a promise kept – to Ward 8 and to all D.C. residents.”
Beyond providing direct healthcare services, Cedar Hill also advances sustainability in healthcare infrastructure. Falling under the D.C. Green Building Act, the facility is on track to become the first full-service hospital in D.C. to achieve LEED Healthcare Silver certification.
“Our teams found solutions that balanced the ambitious targets for carbon reduction with the performance requirements of acute care and cost pressures of a post-Covid construction – all while maintaining the UHS high standard for quality,” said Sean Hu, PE, project manager and vice president in WSP's U.S. Property and Buildings business.
Cedar Hill features double-desiccant-wheel dehumidification for the operating rooms, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems transformed by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly ventilation requirements and risk mitigation measures aimed at assisting the facility operators to reduce the risk of airborne infection.
“Our solution added the ability for return air HEPA filtration at the air handling units along with zone level return air control using return air-variable air volume boxes,” said Christopher Kirchner, PE, HBDP, BEMP, LEED AP, senior director and senior vice president of mechanical engineering at WSP. “This gives the operators the ability to better manage zone level airflow in response to outbreaks, while still staying within the hospital’s energy parameters.”
About WSP in the U.S.
WSP is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, uniting its engineering, advisory and science-based expertise to shape communities to advance humanity. From local beginnings to a globe-spanning presence today, WSP operates in more than 50 countries and employs approximately 73,000 professionals, known as Visioneers. WSP in the U.S.’s team of 19,000 professionals pioneer solutions and deliver innovative projects across the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, energy, water, and mining and metals sectors.
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