Recognition for The George Washington University Hospital
To learn more about GW Hospital's awards and other newsworthy events, visit our news page.
Hospital Achievements
Best Regional Hospitals Washington DC Metro by U.S. News & World Report (2024-2025)
This award recognizes a high level of excellence and care provided by The George Washington University Hospital. The hospital also achieved "High Performing" status in seven specialty areas and for eight common procedure and condition areas.
Specialty Areas
Procedures and Conditions
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) (2024) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)
The ACS NSQIP is a standards-based data registry designed to improve hospital-wide quality across all surgical departments. ACS NSQIP helps surgical and quality teams make informed decisions about the improvement of quality of care while reducing complications and costs.
The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval (2023)
By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety, GW Hospital has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™. GW Hospital is fully accredited through 2023.
Gluten Free Safe Spot Designation (GFFS) (2024)
The George Washington University Hospital (GW Hospital) is the first hospital in the District to obtain validation as a Gluten Free Safe Spot through the Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS), a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group. GW Hospital is one of only nine hospitals in the nation to hold this validation.
Bariatric Surgery Awards
Comprehensive Center for Bariatric Surgery by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) (2023 - 2024)
MBSAQIP accredits inpatient and outpatient bariatric surgery centers in the U.S. and Canada that have undergone an independent, voluntary, and rigorous peer evaluation in accordance with nationally recognized bariatric surgical standards.
Institute of Quality Bariatric Surgery by Aetna (2023)
GW Hospital has been designated an Aetna Institute of Quality® Bariatric Surgery. Aetna recognizes hospitals and facilities in its network that offer specialized clinical services for certain health conditions. GW Hospital was selected for consistently delivering evidence-based, safe care.
Blue Distinction® Center in Bariatric 
Surgery (2021, 2024)
GW Hospital has been recognized by CareFirst BlueCross® BlueShield® (CareFirst) with a Blue Distinction® Centers for Bariatric Surgery designation, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.
Cancer Care Awards
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for Lung Cancer Surgery; Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma Surgery; and Prostate Cancer Surgery (2023-2025)
Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News were significantly better than the national average.
Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR) (2024)
ACR celebrates facilities that seek and earn accreditation in all of the ACR breast imaging accreditation programs and modules. This accreditation shows GW Hospital offers a one-stop, quality patient experience.
Breast Center Accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons (2024)
Accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) is granted only to those centers that are voluntarily committed to providing the best possible care to patients with diseases of the breast.
Academic Comprehensive Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) (2024)
The ACS Cancer Programs provides GW Hospital with the tools and resources that enable our cancer program to deliver comprehensive, high-quality, patient-centered care to patients.
Lung Cancer Alliance Screening Center of 
Excellence (2024)
GW Hospital, in conjunction with the GW Cancer Center, has been named a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) for its ongoing commitment to responsible lung cancer screening.
National Re-Accreditation From the Commission on Cancer (2021)
GW Hospital received national re-accreditation from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. To earn voluntary CoC accreditation, a cancer program must meet 34 CoC quality care standards, be evaluated every three years through a survey process, and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care.
Cardiovascular Services Awards
American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain — Myocardial Infarction (MI) Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award (2022, 2023 and 2024)
The award recognizes GW Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that GW Hospital has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association® clinical guidelines and recommendations.
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for Heart Failure (2023-2025)
This award recognizes GW Hospital's commitment to a higher standard of care for heart failure. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News were significantly better than the national average.
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for Heart Attack (2023-2025)
This award recognizes GW Hospital's commitment to a higher standard of care for heart attack. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News were significantly better than the national average.
Institute of Quality Cardiac Care by Aetna (2024)
GW Hospital has been designated an Aetna Institute of Quality® Cardiac Care. Aetna recognizes hospitals and facilities in its network that offer specialized clinical services for certain health conditions. GW Hospital was selected for consistently delivering evidence-based, safe care.
Accredited as a Pulmonary Hypertension Center of Comprehensive Care Program (2023-2027)
This prestigious designation is awarded by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) to nationally recognized programs that excel in clinical care and clinical research for patients with this rare disease. The GW Hospital site is the first accredited Comprehensive Care Center in Washington, DC.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awards
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital (2023-2024)
This award recognizes GW Hospital's commitment to a higher standard of care for COPD. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News were significantly better than the national average.
Gastroenterology Services Awards
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital (2024-2025)
This award recognizes GW Hospital's commitment to a higher standard of gastrointestinal surgery care. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News were significantly better than the national average.
Geriatric Services Awards
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital (2024-2025)
This award recognizes GW Hospital's commitment to a higher standard of geriatric care. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News were significantly better than the national average.
Kidney Health Awards
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital (2023-2025)
This award recognizes GW Hospital's commitment to a higher standard of care for kidney failure. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News were significantly better than the national average.
Laboratory Awards
Laboratory accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) (2024)
The CAP's Laboratory Accreditation Program is unlike any other. It’s an engaging, dynamic, collaborative experience that fosters continuous improvement. GW Hospital is recognized for it's continual improvements in laboratory work.
Neurology and Neurosurgery Awards
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (2023-2025)
This award recognizes GW Hospital's commitment to a higher standard of care for neurology and neurosurgery. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News were significantly better than the national average.
Level 4 Epilepsy Center by The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) (2023)
GW Hospital is accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center, meaning we provide the highest-level of medical and surgical testing and treatment available for patients with complex epilepsy.
OB/GYN Services Awards
Obstetric Anesthesia Care Center of Excellence by the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) (2020-2024)
SOAP recognizes GW Hospital as a center of excellence in obstetric anesthesia care, helping set a national standard for quality care.
Bronze Award in DC Hospital Association (DCHA) Poster Competition for Quality Improvement and Maternal Health (2023)
The purpose of the DCHA poster competition was to emphasize quality improvement methodology, and share innovative and effective educational programs and community projects. GW Hospital won bronze for Patient Safety and Quality.
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care (2024)
Hospitals that receive a High Performing designation as part of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care meet a high standard in caring for parents with uncomplicated pregnancies.
Learn more about this recognition →
Prestigious Designation in Obstetric 
Anesthesia Care
The Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) Center of Excellence (COE) designation recognizes institutions and programs that demonstrate excellence in obstetric anesthesia care. GW Hospital is one of only 70 hospitals worldwide to hold this designation.
Learn more about this designation →
Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive 
Gynecology for Seventh Consecutive Year
GW Hospital is one of only 65 hospitals (1 percent) in the U.S. to hold this designation.
Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (2024)
GW Hospital’s Level III NICU provides comprehensive, high-quality and family-centered care for critically ill or premature infants.
Orthopedics / Joint Replacement Center Awards
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for Orthopedics and Hip Fracture (2024-2025)
This award recognizes GW Hospital's commitment to a higher standard of orthopedic care. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News were significantly better than the national average.
Blue Distinction® Center Designation for 
Quality in Knee and Hip Replacement Surgery
Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement demonstrate expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions.
Learn more about this designation →
Aetna Institutes of Quality® Orthopedic Care Facility
GW Hospital has been designated an Aetna Institute of Quality® Orthopedic Care Facility for total joint replacement and spine surgery. Aetna recognizes hospitals and facilities in its network that offer specialized clinical services for certain health conditions. GW Hospital was selected for consistently delivering evidence-based, safe care.
Physical Rehabilitation Awards
Best Physical Rehabilitation Center in the South by Newsweek (2024)
The GW Acute Rehabilitation Program was ranked #1 in the South by Newsweek for 2024 with a special mention of our Standout Stroke Program.
Medical rehabilitation and stroke rehabilitation services accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) (2024)
GW Hospital was recognized by CARF for person-centered, field driven standards that promote evidence-based practices that support the quality of life of their patients.
Accredited by the Commission on 
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (2023)
The GW Hospital Acute Rehabilitation Unit is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). This accreditation applies to the adult program, amputation specialty program, and stroke specialty program. It is an indication of the hospital's dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the people served.
Respiratory Care Awards
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for Pneumonia (2023-2024)
This award recognizes GW Hospital's commitment to a higher standard of care for pneumonia. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News were significantly better than the national average.
Sleep Center Awards
American Academy of Sleep Medicine 
Accreditation (2024)
The GW Hospital Sleep Center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Stroke Services Awards
Get With The Guidelines® -
Stroke Gold Plus and Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll Award (2024)
This award from the American Heart Association®/American Stroke Association® recognizes the hospital for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for Stroke (2023-2025)
This award recognizes GW Hospital's commitment to a higher standard of care for stroke. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News & World Report were significantly better than the national average.
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for Diabetes (2023-2025)
This award recognizes GW Hospital's commitment to a higher standard of care for diabetes. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News were significantly better than the national average.
Get With The Guidelines® -
Stroke Gold Plus and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Award (2023)
This award from the American Heart Association®/American Stroke Association® recognizes the hospital for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.
Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center 
(2020, 2023)
GW Hospital has received two-year re-accreditation as a Comprehensive Stroke Center from the Joint Commission and American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. GW Hospital is one of only about four percent – 191 hospitals nationwide – to hold this distinction. Certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center means the organization has met The Joint Commission’s standards for Disease-Specific Care Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification, making it part of an elite group of providers focused on complex stroke care.
Transplant Services Awards
Member of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) for Kidney, Pancreas, and Liver Transplants (2024)
GW Hospital is proud to be a member of United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which is the mission-driven non-profit serving as the nation’s transplant system under contract with the federal government. Our membership with UNOS allows us to provider higher quality care to our transplant patients.
Community Partnership Award from the National Kidney Foundation (2020)
GW Hospital received the 2020 Community Partnership Award from the National Kidney Foundation for its commitment to serving the Washington, DC, region through kidney disease screenings and education, as well as transplant services.
Silver Medal of Honor
GW Hospital was awarded the Silver Medal of Honor by Washington Regional Transplant Community.
Trauma and Critical Care Awards
Level 1 Trauma Center Designation
GW Hospital has been verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) for its expertise in providing high quality trauma care. Being verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center means GW Hospital is equipped to handle the most critically injured patients, and has met the highest standards for trauma care, education and research.
Urology Services Awards
U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital (2023-2025)
This award recognizes GW Hospital's commitment to a higher standard of care for urology services. Hospitals that earned a high performing rating from U.S. News & World Report were significantly better than the national average