City & Community

Washington D.C.
Beyond the gates of Georgetown University are the outstanding amenities and attractions of the District of Columbia.  The panoply of offerings outside the University environs will certainly serve to enrich and enhance each resident’s graduate medical training experience.  Centrally located at the heart of the mid-Atlantic region on the East Coast, Washington, D.C. is truly one of the world’s great cities and a top tourist destination.  While government agencies assume the most prominent role in this exciting environment, our nation’s capital is much more than politics and administration.  Located on the banks of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, Washington is rich in history.  Many sites important to the founding and development of the United States are located here:  the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the National Archives, among others.  Tourists flood the city to immerse themselves within the magnificent monuments and memorials:  the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the World War II Memorial, among others.  Many of these are located along the National Mall, a large, open park within the heart of downtown where office workers, government employees, museum-goers, vendors, kite-flyers, softball teams, and sunbathers all coexist peacefully.

The cultural richness of D.C. is unsurpassed.  Washington is home to the world famous Smithsonian Institution, a collection of museums that are always free and open year-round.  From the always-crowded National Air and Space Museum to the National Museum of Natural History, there is something for everyone.  The spectacular National Zoo and its famous pandas, located in upper Northwest Washington, is also part of the Smithsonian Institution.  D.C. is a major center for music and the performing arts, too.  Broadway musicals, local theatre productions, smoky jazz clubs, and major rock concerts – the Washington metropolitan area has it all.  Outstanding sports events on the professional and collegiate level occur year round.  There are plenty of teams to root for:  the Nationals (baseball), Redskins (football), Wizards (basketball), Capitals (hockey), and D.C. United (soccer).

Washington is an exciting and dynamic city for young professionals to work and live in.  The ethnic and cultural diversity of the metropolitan area affords the intrepid resident a variety of unlimited experiences (gastronomic and otherwise).  For those seeking to live close to the University, the Georgetown neighborhood is among the most popular sections of the District.  Nightlife, restaurants, shopping, and waterfront activities abound along the famous stretches of Wisconsin Avenue and M Streets.  Other lively neighborhoods in Washington include Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, Adams Morgan, Penn Quarter, Capitol Hill, and U Street.  Many residents and faculty live in the close Maryland and Virginia suburbs and have simple commutes to the Medical Center.  Communities such as Arlington, VA and Bethesda, MD offer comparable restaurant and nightlife options as the city but in a less urban atmosphere.

For the outdoor enthusiast, activities don’t get much better than in the Washington, D.C. area.  The city has an extensive park system, from the National Mall to Rock Creek Park.  You can walk, jog, bike, or roller-blade over magnificent bridges, along picturesque rivers and through dense forests – all within city limits.  Spring and fall are beautiful times of year in D.C. to take advantage of the many convenient recreational outlets.  The sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, the wind-swept Chesapeake Bay, and the rugged Shenandoah and Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia are all within easy driving distance.

Georgetown University
Georgetown University has a long and rich tradition.  Founded in 1789 by Father John Carroll, the first Archbishop of Baltimore, it was the first Jesuit institution of higher learning in the United States.  The University is best known for its programs in law, public policy, foreign service, international relations, business, and medicine.  The School of Medicine was created in 1850, and the Hospital followed in 1898.  The medical school is highly competitive and consistently seeks a diverse student population.  The main campus and medical center are situated on a hill overlooking the Potomac River in Northwest Washington.  On campus, the University has approximately 7,000 undergraduate, 5,000 graduate, 2,000 law, and 800 medical students.  The athletic teams are nicknamed “the Hoyas” and are cheered on by their mascot, Jack the Bulldog.  The School of Medicine and Hospital are well-integrated into the physical campus of the University.  Located adjacent to the medical center, the Leavey Center offers residents an assortment of culinary options during the day and while on call.

Visiting the Medical Center
The closest hotel to the Hospital is the Marriott Georgetown University Conference Hotel (located within the Leavey Center directly across from the Lombardi Cancer Center entrance).  Reservations may be made by calling 202-687-3200.  Discounts are available for visitors to the Georgetown University Hospital.      

For directions to the University, please go to the Georgetown University homepage