Mayor Muriel Bowser was on the scene in Anacostia, Ward 8, this week marking a milestone for DC Health, as she inaugurated the agency's spanking new headquarters with a traditional ribbon-cutting. The big move congregates approximately 700 DC Health employees into the neighborhood, heralding what Bowser believes to be a new catalyst for economic boost, particularly in areas East of the River. "DC Health's new headquarters are part of a growing health care corridor in Ward 8," Mayor Bowser said. “Together, we’re making sure more people get the right care at the right time so that we can improve health outcomes for Washingtonians,” in a statement obtained by Dc.gov.
With this relocation, the mayor stands behind her commitment to improve health facilities and overall outcomes for the communities within Wards 7 and 8. Newly introduced healthcare amenities, including the Cedar Hill Urgent Care GW Health and the Whitman-Walker Max Robinson Center, aim just to do that – providing healthcare services where they're most required. As reported in March, new emergency services are coming to the Fletcher-Johnson campus in Ward 7, while the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health is set to open its doors in 2025.
DC Health Director Dr. Ayanna Bennett showed gratitude towards the Anacostia community for the warm reception of DC Health staff. “We’ve been overwhelmed by how the residents and businesses have welcomed the nearly 700 members of the DC Health family into the Anacostia neighborhood," Dr. Bennett mentioned, as per Dc.gov. “And while we celebrate this new headquarters, we also recognize the very important work that is happening every day in the clinics, food pantries, volunteer centers, and 90 current partner organizations where we provide funding and expertise.”
Moreover, Mayor Bowser brought attention to the economic strides made through direct cash assistance. At the event, she joined hands with Martha's Table to announce a second round of payments for the Strong Families, Strong Future DC pilot program, aimed to ameliorate maternal and child health outcomes. The program, according to Bowser's FY24 and FY25 budget proposals, has been infused with a total of $2 million, promising cash assistance of $626 monthly for a year to participating mothers hailing from Wards 5, 7, and 8, in an effort at sustained financial empowerment over three years.
