George Washington University Hospital

03/13/2026

Talk about a birthday to remember! Just days after turning 44, Lawrence Ford received a life-changing kidney transplant, donated by his sister, Shanelle. Both are part of the Living Donor Transplant Program, where one generous act can change a life forever. Lawrence says this special birthday gift from his sister “feels like winning the Powerball,” giving him a fresh start and more time with his daughter. Shanelle couldn’t be prouder sharing that she’s thrilled to give her brother the chance to live and hopes their story inspires others to learn about living donation.

We’re honored to be a part of their incredible story!

Learn more about living donations of kidneys, where a healthy individual donates one of their kidneys. Become a kidney donor today.

03/11/2026

We’re proud to celebrate Olga Kochar, Divisional Director of Laboratory and Transfusion Services, for her published chapter in Management and Leadership in Clinical Laboratory. She was also acknowledged as a major contributor to the book overall.

The book shines a light on what leadership looks like in today’s clinical labs and encourages the next generation of laboratorians to step into leadership roles. Olga’s 25+ years of teaching and leadership make this accomplishment a true milestone in her career.

03/10/2026

Last week, we proudly honored two of our seven RN Daisy Award recipients during a special ceremony led by Chief Nursing Officer Patti Horgas. Congratulations to Ricardo Perez (6N) and Morgan Wisniewski (3N), two incredible nurses whose compassion, skill and dedication truly embody the heart of nursing.

Thank you both for the exceptional care you provide and the positive impact you make at GW Hospital every day!

03/09/2026

Shoutout to our amazing Outpatient Rehab team, Rachel Johansen Bracken, PT, DPT, OCS, Bonnie Pancoast, PT, DPT, NCA and Joe Signorino, PT, DPT, OCS, who attended the 2026 APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Bracken was a presenter and shared creative strategies for preventing burnout in clinical care, even using improv to reach resilience. We’re so proud of their leadership and innovation!

03/06/2026

This week’s GW Proud spotlight shines on Madison Norton. One of our IS Support Technicians, Madison, goes above and beyond every day, tackling complex issues, supporting clinical teams and bringing top-tier professionalism to every interaction. We’re grateful for your expertise, dedication and the positivity you bring to our hospital. Congratulations, Madison!

03/05/2026

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. A colonoscopy can prevent cancer before it starts and if you’re 45 or older, have a family history of colorectal cancer, or are ready for your first colonoscopy, now is the perfect time to take action.

📅 Pre-screening Dates:

March 9
March 16
March 23

📍Screenings Locations:
Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center
1200 Pecan St. SE, Washington, DC 20032

📞 Call to schedule your pre-screening: 771-444-6146
(No referral needed)

Let’s take charge of our health together!

03/04/2026

March is Tremor Awareness Month and we’re proud to spotlight a groundbreaking option for patients with Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremor. With MRI-guided ultrasounds, patients at GW Hospital can walk in with tremors and walk out the same day without them, no incision needed. We’re the only adult-care hospital in the Metro DC/Northern Virginia region providing this advanced treatment.

Dr. Zachary T. Levine, Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery, calls it “the most elegant solution to these devastating problems. It often brings tears to the whole team’s eyes when we see the patient get better right in front of you.”

This month and every month, we’re committed to raising awareness and providing innovative care that helps patients reclaim their independence. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/4ub8Xsv.

03/03/2026

We’re proud to congratulate Lynt Johnson, MD, MBA, Executive Director of the Liver and Pancreas Institute for Quality and Professor of Surgery, on receiving the Legacy Award from the National Pancreas Foundation.

This prestigious honor celebrates his lifelong contributions to pancreatic disease research, education and patient care. Dr. Johnson accepted the award at the NPF’s Courage for a Cure celebration over the weekend. A nationally recognized expert with more than 130 scientific publications, Dr. Johnson continues to advance care for patients with liver, biliary and pancreatic disease.

Congratulations, Dr. Johnson!

03/02/2026

Huge congratulations to our seven new Nurse Residency graduates! These talented individuals presented their year-long evidence-based projects and celebrated a major milestone surrounded by leaders and colleagues. Please join us in congratulating:

Danielle Clark-Burgess, Julia Guevara, Christella Nazaire, Arodi Rodrigo, Kinjal Vekaria, Michelle Scott and Jazmin Techie-Mensah.

We’re so proud of you; welcome to the next chapter of your nursing journey!

02/27/2026

This week’s GW Proud honoree is Mercia Wenneh, Patient Care Technician! Mercia may be new to the PCT role, but she’s already making an incredible impact. Patients and nurses consistently praise her attentiveness, compassion and the way she rounds with purpose, even helping reduce call lights simply by being so proactive and present.

Her teamwork, communication and dedication to patient comfort truly shine. Thank you, Mercia, for bringing heart, excellence and intention to every interaction. We’re so proud to recognize you!

02/26/2026

Dr. David Lutton, our board-certified, shoulder and elbow fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, recently joined WTOP News to share his expertise on upper-extremity care. Dr. Lutton specializes in shoulder, elbow and sports-related injuries and spoke about the work he does and why he’s grateful to perform shoulder surgery at GW Hospital.

Take a listen by visiting https://bit.ly/4seIhp7 and learn more about his passion for helping patients get back to the activities they love. Thank you, Dr. Lutton, for representing GW Hospital so well!

02/25/2026

This month, we’re proud to recognize our incredible team members who identify as Black. With fewer than 5% of PTs, OTs, and SLPs nationwide identifying as Black and even fewer holding advanced board certification, this group represents excellence at the highest level.

Every clinician pictured holds an advanced certification in specialties like Orthopedics, Neuro Rehab, Women’s Health, Lymphedema/WoundCare or Hand Therapy. Their dedication, expertise and leadership strengthen our programs and inspire our entire department.