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The George Washington University Medical Center

Overview of GWUMC

Founded in 1824, The George Washington University Medical Center (GWUMC) is an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary academic health care center comprising the School of Medicine and Health Sciences; School of Public Health and Health Services; GW Hospital, which is jointly operated by Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS); and GW Medical Faculty Associates, Inc. (MFA) which includes both the primary care and specialty practices of the medical faculty. GWUMC also has a longstanding tradition in research, with about 400 research projects currently underway.

GWUMC is especially known for its Cancer Institute (GWCI), Center for Preparedness and Resilience (CPR), Institute for Spirituality and Health (GWISH), Ronald Reagan Institute for Emergency Medicine (RRIEM), Center for Health Policy, minimally invasive surgery, and cardiovascular research and treatment.

GWUMC physicians, staff, residents, and students have a long tradition of public service. They serve as volunteers in many nonprofit health clinics in Washington, DC, including the Whitman-Walker Clinic, Zacchaeus Free Clinic, and La Clinica del Pueblo. In addition, the GW Breast Care Center runs the area's only mobile mammography unit, the GW Mammovan, in conjunction with the Cancer Research Foundation of America.

The School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Rich in tradition, the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), founded in 1825, is the 11th oldest medical school in the country. SMHS has long been at the forefront of clinical medical education, a position it still holds today, offering progressive programs and state-of-the-art facilities that provide students with a unique educational experience. Enrolling approximately 1,400 students each year, SMHS is home to:

  • Doctor of Medicine programs: SMHS's M.D. program leads the nation in innovative, hands-on educational experiences. All students participate in the four-year Practice of Medicine course, which gives them training early on in their medical career. Graduates consistently exceed the average national match rates into their top residency programs.

  • Health Sciences programs: SMHS offers a wide array of on-campus, distance learning, and military training programs in Clinical Research and Leadership, Health Care Sciences, and Nursing Education. Actively involved with advancing technologies and the changing health care environment, the Health Sciences programs emphasize practical experience, interdisciplinary learning, and preparing students for health care leadership.

  • Institute of Biomedical Sciences: This interdisciplinary center provides state-of-the-art Ph.D. programs in Molecular Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, and Microbiology and Immunology to prepare graduates for leading-edge biomedical research.

The School of Public Health and Health Services

Established in 1997, the School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) celebrated its10th anniversary in 2008. Today, it is the only public health school in the nation's capital and is one of only 37 accredited schools of public health in the U.S. Its mission is to provide the ideal environment for a diverse student body to become tomorrow's leaders in public health and health care. The School's seven departments-- Environmental and Occupational Health; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Exercise Science; Global Health; Health Policy; Health Services Management and Leadership; and Prevention and Community Health - offer students the best in training, internship, and volunteer opportunities. It also offers an array of joint degree programs, including allowing students to pursue a combined MD/Master of Public Health. The School's current research portfolio is approximately $18 million.



The content on these web pages is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not designed to replace medical advice or professional medical services. The information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. Medical decisions should be made in consultation with your qualified health care provider. There may be variations in treatment that your health provider may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.