Capitol Hill Hospital · 1987 Honoree

From its inception as a community facility, Capitol Hill Hospital has been responsive to the medical needs of our community. Now in its 100th year of service, CHH continues to provide traditional medical/surgical care in addition to a variety of innovative new programs. 

The Hospital was founded in 1888 as the Eastern Dispensary with its original location at 311 Third Street, NE. In the process of expansion it first moved to a house at Third and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE and then to 217 Delaware Avenue, NE. This venerable institution remained on Delaware Avenue until 1905 when the U.S. Government aquired the property to build the Russell Senate Office Building. It was at this time that the current site at 708 Massachusetts Avenue, NE was purchased. At the Hospital’s present location the community has known it under three different names: Casualty Hospital, Rogers Memorial Hospital and finally, Capitol Hill Hospital.

In the early years the Hospital became known for a particular devotion to patient care and as its first century of service wore on, it received some national recognition. In June of 1949, LIFE Magazine ran a feature story about three-year old Michael Rector, who, seven months earlier, had been brought to CHH with burns over 70 percent of his body. The Hospital’s relentless efforts, generous donation of medical supplies and technical expertise saved young Mike’s life.

Today, CHH has grown to a modern 250-bed acute care facility. Nearly 500 physicians enjoy privileges at CHH and regularly participate in continuing medical educational programs.

In the Hospital’s 16-bed ICU/CCU a specially trained, interdisciplinary team of doctors and nurses provides 24-hour care. The emergency room is also staffed 24 hours each day and uses this same interdisciplinary approach. An active Same Day Surgery Program allows patients to have an operation, remain in the Hospital just a few hours, and return home the same day.

In addition, diverse specialty programs are offered to serve the special needs of the community. A Sports Medicine Center provides athletic health care for treatment and rehabilitation of sports related injuries. The L.I.F.E. program provides counseling for fitness and lifestyle modification. The recently established Teenage Community Health Center is a comprehensive counseling service for pregnant teenagers. 

In 1982, Capitol Hill Hospital joined the Washington Hospital Center to form the Washington Healthcare Corporation, now known as Medlantic Healthcare Group, the first multi-hospital system in the District of Columbia. This affiliation affords the entire community greater access to comprehensive health care services.

With a demonstrated commitment to quality health care, Capitol Hill Hospital continues to build on 100 years of humanitarian care and concern for the well being of the Capitol Hill Community.