On Monday, April 7, UMC Board Chair Angell Jacobs and CEO Dr. Jacqueline Payne-Borden appeared on WHUR’s Medical Monday segment with Harold Fisher to provide key updates surrounding the closure of United Medical Center (UMC).
The discussion tackled critical questions about how the hospital is managing patient care during the wind-down process and what the community can expect with the opening of the all-new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health.
Fisher Raises Concerns About Emergency Services During Closure
“This looks great on paper,” Fisher said about UMC’s closure plan. “But life or death doesn’t always apply to what is planned.”
He posed a compelling question to Chair Jacobs and Dr. Payne-Borden: What happens if someone experiences a medical emergency near UMC while the hospital is closing?
Dr. Payne-Borden responded with clarity and reassurance:
“We continue to see patients in our ER as I speak right now. If a patient should come in, we will definitely stabilize that patient and have them ready for transport to a facility that has the specialty required—whether it’s surgery or another service. So there will not be a gap once they come to this facility right now.”
Looking Ahead: What Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health Will Offer
As UMC prepares to close its doors, anticipation continues to grow for the future of healthcare in Southeast D.C. Fisher asked about the capabilities of Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center and how it compares to UMC, noting the challenges that new hospitals sometimes face.
Chair Jacobs responded with full confidence:
“We would not be closing UMC if we didn’t have every confidence that Cedar Hill was ready to fully support this community and carry on the torch that UMC has carried for so many years.”
Watch the Full Interview
To hear the full conversation and stay informed about UMC’s transition, visit the UMC Newsroom.