Logan Reid
United Medical Center (UMC) was a public hospital in Washington, D.C., that closed down on April 15, 2025, after serving the community for six decades. The closure came about following the opening of the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, which is located about a mile away on the campus of St. Elizabeth's Psychiatric Hospital. UMC had a troubled history, with reports of mismanagement, financial issues, and negligence, leading to its eventual closure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status | Permanently closed as of April 15, 2025 |
| Reason for Closure | Opening of the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center |
| Location | Washington Highlands neighborhood, Southeast DC |
| History | Served DC residents for six decades; founded in 1966 as Cafritz Memorial Hospital |
| Previous Issues | Mismanagement, financial issues, patient deaths, negligence, loss of a body, mismanagement of HIV transmission |
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What You'll Learn
- United Medical Center closed on April 15, 2025
- The hospital served the community for 60 years
- The Care Center is a nationally recognised outpatient infectious diseases treatment facility
- The hospital faced accusations of mismanagement and illegal overbilling of federal insurance programs
- The new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center opened on the same day UMC closed
United Medical Center closed on April 15, 2025
United Medical Center (UMC) in Washington, D.C., closed its doors on April 15, 2025, bringing an end to six decades of service to the community. The closure came as a result of the opening of the nearby Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, located on the campus of St. Elizabeth's Psychiatric Hospital.
UMC had a long history of serving the community, dating back to its founding as Cafritz Memorial Hospital in 1966. Over the years, the hospital underwent several name changes and faced financial challenges, eventually becoming United Medical Center in 2008. Despite its efforts to improve, UMC struggled with allegations of medical lapses, mismanagement, and financial issues, which ultimately led to its closure.
In the lead-up to its closure, UMC stopped admitting new patients and redirected ambulances to other facilities. Walk-ins were still allowed, but those requiring inpatient care were transferred elsewhere. The hospital's Children's National UMC Emergency Department was among the services that permanently closed, with pediatric care transitioning to the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center.
The decision to close UMC was made by the D.C. Council back in 2019, citing mismanagement and financial concerns. This decision left the district without an obstetrics ward east of the Anacostia River, as UMC was the only hospital in that region. Despite the closure, UMC played a crucial role in the community for six decades, and its impact will be remembered.
As United Medical Center closed its doors for the last time, the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center opened, offering a full range of medical services to the community. This transition ensured uninterrupted access to healthcare for residents, with Children's National doctors providing pediatric emergency care at the new facility from the very first day. While the closure of UMC marked the end of an era, the opening of Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center brought new opportunities and continued care for the community.
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The hospital served the community for 60 years
United Medical Center, formerly known as Greater Southeast Community Hospital, was a 330-bed public hospital in Washington D.C. that served the community for 60 years. The hospital was located in the Washington Highlands neighbourhood and was founded in 1966 as Cafritz Memorial Hospital.
In 1974, after eight years of operation, the hospital was renamed Greater Southeast. The hospital underwent several changes in management and ownership over the years, including two bankruptcies, before being acquired by Specialty Hospitals of America in 2008 and renamed United Medical Center. In 2010, the hospital faced another bankruptcy, leading to the District government taking over its management.
Despite efforts to improve the hospital's operations, United Medical Center faced criticism and scrutiny for medical lapses, poor patient care, and financial issues. In 2019, the D.C. Council voted to close the hospital upon the opening of a new nearby hospital. The decision was made due to mismanagement and financial concerns, with regulators ordering the hospital to stop delivering babies due to dangerous mistakes.
On April 15, 2025, United Medical Center closed its doors permanently with the opening of the nearby Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center. The closure resulted in the loss of the only obstetrics ward east of the Anacostia River and hundreds of layoffs. Despite the challenges, United Medical Center played a significant role in serving the healthcare needs of the community for six decades.
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The Care Center is a nationally recognised outpatient infectious diseases treatment facility
United Medical Center (UMC) was a public hospital in Washington, D.C. It was located in the Washington Highlands neighbourhood and had 330 beds. The hospital was founded in 1966 as Cafritz Memorial Hospital and later renamed Greater Southeast Community Hospital. In 2010, the District government took over its management, and in 2013, Huron Consulting was hired to improve the hospital's operations. Despite these efforts, UMC faced criticism for medical lapses and mismanagement, ultimately leading to its closure in 2025.
The Care Center at United Medical Center is a nationally recognised outpatient infectious diseases treatment facility. It was established in 2011 with a focus on treating hepatitis and HIV. Over time, The Care Center expanded its services to include various types of infections, such as skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint infections, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. They also built a strong reputation for their compassionate and holistic approach to treating patients with HIV/AIDS, offering a range of services like health education, psychological counselling, patient navigation, and referral to support groups. The Care Center has secured grant funding from organisations like Gilead Sciences, Inc., the D.C. Department of Health, and the National Institutes of Health to support their clinical care and research activities.
The Care Center provides diagnostic and clinical services for a wide range of infections and infectious diseases. Their team is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of patients with acute and chronic conditions. They also focus on patient education and support, ensuring that individuals have the knowledge and resources to manage their health effectively. The facility is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in prevention and treatment, allowing them to offer participation in clinical trials when appropriate.
The Care Center's holistic approach to patient care extends beyond medical treatment. They recognise that infectious diseases can impact individuals' emotional and mental health, so they provide access to psychological counselling and support groups. This comprehensive approach ensures that patients receive the support they need during their treatment journey. Additionally, The Care Center prioritises patient navigation and referral services, ensuring that individuals can effectively utilise the healthcare system and access the necessary resources for their care.
The Care Center's reputation for excellence in infectious diseases treatment has been recognised not only locally but also nationally. Their commitment to providing sophisticated and compassionate care, along with their focus on patient education and support, has set a high standard in the field of infectious diseases treatment. The facility's dedication to staying abreast of the latest advancements and their involvement in research contribute to their standing as a leading outpatient centre for infectious diseases.
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The hospital faced accusations of mismanagement and illegal overbilling of federal insurance programs
United Medical Center (UMC), formerly known as Greater Southeast Community Hospital, was a public hospital in Washington, DC. The hospital has since been replaced by the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, which opened on April 15, 2025, and UMC closed on the same day.
Over the years, UMC faced numerous accusations of mismanagement and poor patient care. In 2017, the D.C. Department of Health fined the hospital $122,000 for poor patient care at its nursing home. In one incident, a nursing home patient died of myocardial infarction after lying in his own waste and complaining of breathing difficulties while a nurse stood by. In another incident, the hospital failed to take the necessary steps to prevent HIV transmission to a newborn. In addition to these troubling incidents, the hospital also lost track of a patient's body in July 2017 and was ordered to stop delivering babies in August 2017 due to dangerous mistakes, which left the district without an obstetrics ward east of the Anacostia River.
The issues at UMC were not limited to patient care but also extended to financial mismanagement and allegations of illegal overbilling. In 2016, the District of Columbia awarded a no-bid contract to Veritas, a firm with limited healthcare management experience, to run the hospital. Veritas received more than $800,000 monthly to manage UMC, but they failed to improve the quality of care, and there were several cases of preventable patient deaths and negligence. In November 2017, Julian Craig, the top doctor at UMC, came forward with accusations against Veritas, alleging mismanagement and illegal overbilling of federal insurance programs. Craig claimed that Veritas improperly cut his hours and disregarded hospital procedures, and that they encouraged doctors to admit patients who did not need treatment to increase revenue. These accusations led to scrutiny and revealed the depth of the issues plaguing the hospital.
The closure of UMC and the subsequent opening of Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center were intended to address the issues of mismanagement, poor patient care, and financial troubles that had plagued UMC for years. The new hospital, operated by Universal Health Services/GW, is entirely separate from UMC, and district leaders assured residents of a seamless transition. However, there were concerns about a potential gap in care during the transition, leaving communities facing health disparities with limited access to medical services.
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The new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center opened on the same day UMC closed
United Medical Center (UMC) in Washington, D.C., formerly known as Greater Southeast Community Hospital, was a 330-bed public hospital located in the Washington Highlands neighborhood. The hospital had a tumultuous history, with several ownership changes, financial troubles, and allegations of medical lapses and mismanagement.
In 2019, the D.C. Council voted to close UMC upon the opening of a new hospital nearby. This decision came amidst a series of incidents, including a $122,000 fine for poor patient care in 2017, the death of a nursing home patient under negligent circumstances, and the hospital's failure to prevent HIV transmission to a newborn. These incidents ultimately led to the closure of the obstetrics ward in 2017 and a directive for UMC to stop delivering babies.
On April 15, 2025, the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health (CHRMC) opened its doors, and UMC closed on the same day. Cedar Hill is located on the campus of St. Elizabeth's Psychiatric Hospital in Ward 8, near the Congress Heights Metro Station. The new hospital is operated by a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS), a respected provider of hospital and healthcare services.
Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center is a full-service hospital with 136 beds, integrating clinical care with existing providers such as The George Washington University Hospital and Cedar Hill Urgent Care in Ward 8. It features a trauma center, adult and pediatric emergency departments, maternal health and delivery services, a level 2 NICU, a helipad for emergency transports, and a 500-car garage. The hospital's visitation policy is in accordance with CDC and DC Health guidelines, allowing patients to identify care partners or support persons to provide emotional, spiritual, and physical support during their stay.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the United Medical Center permanently closed all services as of April 15, 2025.
The United Medical Center closed due to mismanagement and financial issues. There were also several cases of poor patient care, preventable patient deaths, and negligence.
Patients who needed inpatient care were transferred to another facility of their choice.
Officials say staff members were assisted in finding new jobs. The human resources department helped with resume writing as many staff had been at the hospital for a long time.
The United Medical Center was replaced by the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, a full-service hospital located on the St. Elizabeth's East campus in Ward 8.
