FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Richard Sheehe
April 5, 2000	202-994-3087

CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY ON THE NEW GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

WASHINGTON -The George Washington University Hospital this week began construction on its ultramodern replacement hospital, the city's first new hospital in 20 years. It will house 371 beds and employ 1,500 professionals supporting a medical staff of 900 physicians. It is expected to be completed in 2002, approximately two years from the start of construction.

"Building the city's first new hospital in 20 years is proof of our commitment to be a partner in the renaissance of the District of Columbia," said Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, president of The George Washington University. "We are pleased to be moving into the construction phase of this project."

The beginning of construction of a new hospital on the urban campus brought a unique landscaping promise from Trachtenberg. While some trees may be lost during the construction process, Trachtenberg said future landscaping will focus on new tree planting. "In fact," Trachtenberg said, "for every tree that is cut down to permit construction, the University will compensate by planting two trees somewhere in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood."

The new hospital will allow for an expanded emergency room to serve the nearly 45,000 patients seen in the ER each year and larger operating rooms capable of accommodating today's advanced surgical equipment. The majority of the patient rooms will be private, allowing appropriate space for patients and their families as well as physicians and staff.

"The medical staff and employees' continued support of this great hospital and medical center has been rewarded," said Phillip S. Schaengold, J.D. chief executive officer of The George Washington University Hospital. "We're now one step closer to bringing a state-of-the-art facility to the residents and visitors of Washington, D.C."

"The start of construction marks an important milestone for physicians, employees and the Washington community as we look forward to the opening of what will be the city's most modern and technologically advanced hospital," said Alan Miller, Universal Health Services, Inc., chairman and chief executive officer.

The main hospital entrance will face 23rd Street directly across from the current building and adjacent to the Foggy Bottom Metro station entrance. The emergency entrance will be south of Washington Circle, between New Hampshire Avenue and 23rd Street.

General contractors on the project will be Manhattan Construction Company, with offices in Fairfax, Virginia. Manhattan's recent projects include the new MCI/Worldcom campus and Network Information Center in Ashburn, Virginia, and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research for the Army Corps of Engineers.

The George Washington University Hospital is owned by a partnership between Universal Health Services, Inc., the nation's third largest hospital management company, and The George Washington University.

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