Published on May 16, 2011

Washington Adventist Hospital Plan to Relocate to White Oak and Expand Access to Care in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties Receives Wide Ranging Community Support

Takoma Park, MD – More than 2,000 community and civic organizations, faith groups and citizens in Montgomery and Prince George’s County, including the Coalition of Central Prince George's Community Organizations, Calverton Citizen’s Association, the East County Citizens Advisory Board and residents of Riderwood, support Washington Adventist Hospital’s proposed relocation to White Oak and the continued use of its Takoma Park campus as a Village of Education, Health and Well-being.

Arthur Turner, President of the Coalition of Central Prince George's Community Organizations, a conglomeration of 51 homeowners and civic associations, wrote in a letter of support, “The coalition has been the beneficiary of the [health] outreach efforts of Washington Adventist. This application should and must be supported and approved.”

The Residents of the Riderwood senior living community, located near the proposed relocated hospital site off Cherry Hill Road and Plum Orchard Drive, recently sent 600 letters to state and county officials in support of the hospital’s certificate of need (CON) application. Two weeks ago, minority community groups CASA de Maryland, Mary’s Center, Impact Silver Spring and the Prince George's Taxi Workers Alliance publically announced their support saying that all community members deserve the benefits of having access to a 21st century medical facility.

"Everyone in our region should have access to the highest quality health care available," said Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA de Maryland. "The relocated hospital campus in White Oak will have all private rooms, updated facilities, and improved access from public transportation via major interconnecting roads, which are an important and needed benefit for those we serve."

In addition to this broad community support, many elected officials support the project. They include: Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, members of the Montgomery County Council, and state legislators from both Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. 

Montgomery County Executive Leggett detailed in his letter to the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) that the relocated Washington Adventist Hospital, the county-planned East County Center for Science and Technology and the Percontee property “will create tremendous opportunity for eastern Montgomery County to become a gateway for that which is steadily becoming the foundation of our economic future –biotech and life sciences.”

The relocated hospital site is also near the Food and Drug Administration and the two organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding laying the groundwork for health research and medical innovation. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Louis Sullivan also support the project. 

Washington Adventist’s new hospital site will allow for a modern 249-bed hospital offering 21st century whole-person care. Patients will receive care in private rooms, with more space for clinical care, and state-of-the-art equipment and technology. There will also be ample space for physician offices and parking. The project will ultimately create 1,000 new jobs for the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County region and 275 more jobs will be created during the building of the hospital and campus.

Furthermore, supporters say they value Washington Adventist Hospital’s decision to provide health care services, including primary care, urgent care and wellness services and educational opportunities on its existing Takoma Park campus in order to meet community needs.

“We are very excited and grateful for the support we have for our hospital relocation. We have been working, and will continue to work, closely with community groups and individuals in Montgomery and Prince George's counties to ensure we provide improved access to 21st century health care," said Joyce Portela, President of Washington Adventist Hospital. "We want Washington Adventist Hospital's relocation and the health-care services developed on our Takoma Park campus to be a great source of pride for all in the communities we serve."

Washington Adventist Hospital’s Certificate of Need application is currently pending with the Maryland Health Care Commission and hearings are scheduled for early June. All major local traffic and land-use approvals have been obtained for the new site. More information on this project can be found at www.ExpandedHealthAccess.com.

Washington Adventist Hospital is a 281-bed acute-care facility located in Takoma Park, Maryland. Washington Adventist Hospital is Montgomery County’s first cardiac center, performing more than 400 open-heart surgeries and more than 4,500 heart catheterizations each year. The Hospital is the first accredited Cycle III Chest Pain Center in the DC Metro Area. Washington Adventist Hospital is part of Adventist HealthCare, an integrated health-care delivery system based in Rockville, Maryland, that is one of the largest employers in the state of Maryland.