
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), officially known as Walter Reed General Hospital (WRGH) until 1951, was the U.S. Army's flagship medical center from 1909 to 2011. Located on 113 acres in Washington, D.C., it served more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the United States Armed Forces. The center was named after Walter Reed, a U.S. Army physician and Major who contributed significantly to the understanding of yellow fever and typhoid, diseases that once ravaged military encampments. In 2011, the WRAMC combined with the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, to form the tri-service Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) |
| Official Name (until 1951) | Walter Reed General Hospital (WRGH) |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Area | 113 acres |
| Year Established | 1909 |
| Year of Closure | 2011 |
| Year of Merger with National Naval Medical Center | 2011 |
| New Name After Merger | Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) |
| Location of WRNMMC | Bethesda, Maryland |
| Number of Rooms | Approximately 5,500 |
| Number of Patients Served | More than 150,000 |
| Patients Served Include | Active and retired personnel from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces |
| Named After | Army Major Walter Reed, a U.S. Army physician and researcher of yellow fever |
Explore related products
$13.99 $17.99
What You'll Learn

The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC)
The history of WRAMC can be traced back to the 1890s when it was an Army General Hospital where medical professionals were trained in military healthcare. In 1909, it relocated to a new 65-bed facility in Washington, D.C., and evolved into the WRAMC. The center's bed capacity expanded from 80 to approximately 5,500, covering 28 acres of floor space. In 1964, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing (WRAIN) was established, and in 1972, construction began on a new WRAMC building, which was completed by 1977.
WRAMC played a significant role in providing medical care to U.S. presidents and their families. President Dwight D. Eisenhower died at WRAMC in 1969, and President Lyndon B. Johnson received treatment there during his presidency. The center also provided care for First Lady "Lady Bird" Johnson.
In 2005, the Department of Defense proposed replacing WRAMC with a new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) on the grounds of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The merger was overseen by the Office of Integration (OI), aiming to create an integrated military medicine system in the National Capital Region (NCR). The combined WRNMMC, formed in 2011, is one of the largest and most prominent military medical centers in the U.S., continuing the legacy of WRAMC in serving those who have served our nation.
The Royal Marsden: An NHS Hospital
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Medical care for US presidents
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), officially known as Walter Reed General Hospital (WRGH) until 1951, was the U.S. Army's flagship medical center from 1909 to 2011. It was named after Walter Reed, a U.S. Army physician and Major who confirmed that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes. In 2011, WRAMC was combined with the National Naval Medical Center to form the tri-service Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC).
Since its opening in 1940, WRNMMC has provided medical care for several U.S. presidents. The medical center includes a presidential office suite controlled by the White House, featuring a sitting room, kitchen, conference room, hospital bedroom, and an office for the White House Chief of Staff. President John F. Kennedy's autopsy was performed at the Naval Medical Center, now part of WRNMMC. President Lyndon B. Johnson was also a patient at the medical center several times during his presidency.
The White House Medical Unit (WHMU) provides healthcare to the president, vice president, and their immediate families. The WHMU director is responsible for ensuring optimal programs are in place to provide health and medical support to the continuity of the presidency. The unit includes active-duty military physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, medics, and support staff. The WHMU also oversees the mobile medical suite aboard Air Force One and Air Force Two, and establishes temporary emergency medical facilities for presidential or vice-presidential trips.
The physician to the president is chosen personally by the president and is their personal physician. This physician is also the chief White House physician and is always close at hand. For example, during the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan in 1981, the physician to the president at the time, Daniel Ruge, supervised Reagan's immediate treatment.
Urine Pregnancy Tests: Accuracy in Hospitals
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The history of the hospital
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), officially known as Walter Reed General Hospital (WRGH) until 1951, was the U.S. Army's flagship medical center from 1909 to 2011. The center was named after Walter Reed, a U.S. Army physician and Major who led the team that confirmed that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes.
The original Army medical center was founded in 1909 and was named for Major Walter Reed (1851–1902), the lead researcher who discovered that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes. During World Wars I and II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, tens of thousands of active-duty and retired soldiers were treated on its campus. The facility treated more than 750,000 patients annually, including veterans and their families.
Since its early days, the medical care facility expanded from 80 beds to a 5,500-room complex covering more than 28 acres of floor space. The health clinic at Fort McNair, which predates the current Walter Reed Army Medical Center, has been described as one of America's most historically significant military medical treatment facilities. It served as a precursor to the Walter Reed General Hospital, operating from the 1890s until 1909, when it relocated to a new 65-bed facility in the northern part of the capital.
In 2005, the Department of Defense proposed replacing the Walter Reed Army Medical Center with a new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) on the grounds of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. This merger aimed to create a single tri-service medical center in the National Capital Region, combining three medical centers, a small community hospital, and 19 clinics. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on July 3, 2008, with President George W. Bush officiating. The old WRAMC campus closed in 2011 and is being redeveloped as The Parks at Walter Reed.
Understanding Hospitalization Costs When Claims Are Denied
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC)
The WRNMMC was formed in 2011 through the merger of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and the National Naval Medical Center. The WRAMC, named after U.S. Army Major and physician Walter Reed, was the U.S. Army's flagship medical center from 1909 to 2011. Major Reed made significant contributions to medicine, particularly in the study of yellow fever and typhoid, diseases that once ravaged military encampments.
The merger of the WRAMC and the National Naval Medical Center was overseen by the Office of Integration (OI), which was formed in November 2005. The combined facility is staffed by Army, Navy, and Air Force medical personnel and serves as the core of an integrated military medicine system in the National Capital Region (NCR). The goal of the merger was to reduce government spending on maintaining old buildings.
The WRNMMC offers comprehensive health care for more than 150,000 soldiers, other service members, family members, and retirees in the National Capital Area. It includes a presidential office suite controlled by the White House, featuring a sitting room, kitchen, conference room, hospital bedroom, and an office for the White House Chief of Staff. The center has been the site of medical evaluations and treatments for U.S. presidents, including John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who passed away at the facility in 1969.
Flushing Out Toxins: Hospital System Detox
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$9.99 $11.99
$39.99 $41.99

The Army General Hospital
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), officially known as Walter Reed General Hospital (WRGH) until 1951, was the U.S. Army's flagship medical center from 1909 to 2011. Located on 113 acres in Washington, D.C., the center was named after Walter Reed, an Army physician and Major who discovered that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes. Since its establishment, the hospital's bed capacity has grown from 80 patients to approximately 5,500 rooms covering 28 acres of floor space.
The history of the Army General Hospital dates back to the 1890s when it was a health clinic used for training physicians, corpsmen, and nurses in military healthcare. In 1899, the morgue was constructed, which now serves as the Dental Clinic. The hospital became an independent command in 1901 and relocated in 1909, expanding from a 50-bed hospital to a 65-bed facility. This marked the beginning of what would become the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center has played a significant role in military healthcare and has provided medical care for several U.S. presidents. In 1964, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing (WRAIN) was established, further contributing to its reputation. Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower passed away at WRAMC in 1969.
In 2005, the Department of Defense proposed replacing WRAMC with a new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) on the grounds of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. This merger was overseen by the Office of Integration (OI) and aimed to create a tri-service medical center with staff from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The new WRNMMC officially combined with the National Naval Medical Center in 2011 and continues to provide comprehensive healthcare for over 150,000 soldiers, service members, family members, and retirees in the National Capital Area.
Disha Eye Hospital: Is it Government-Run?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), officially known as Walter Reed General Hospital (WRGH) until 1951, was the U.S. Army's flagship medical center from 1909 to 2011. Located on 113 acres in Washington, D.C., it served more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the United States Armed Forces.
The original name of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center was the Walter Reed General Hospital (WRGH).
Walter Reed was a U.S. Army physician and Major who contributed significantly to medicine. He led the team that confirmed that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes rather than direct physical contact.
In 2011, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) was combined with the National Naval Medical Center to form the tri-service Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC).
The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) is located in Bethesda, Maryland, just seven miles from the previous location of WRAMC in Washington, D.C.







![Historic Framed Print, [Five disabled veterans in reconstruction section, Walter Reed Hospital], 17-7/8" x 21-7/8"](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41rTevhH+jL._AC_UY218_.jpg)































