Inova Mount Vernon Hospital turns 40
A Proud Past and Promising Future
During the 1950s and ’60s, Washington quickly grew from a small government town into a major metropolitan city, and people were on the move. New housing sprang up in suburban areas all across the region, including Northern Virginia. With these new residents came the need for expanded medical care services close to home. In 1967, a master plan was submitted and approved to fund and build a new hospital in the southeast part of Fairfax County, along the growing Route 1 corridor.
Ground was broken for this new hospital in early 1973, and on October. 26, 1976, Mount Vernon Hospital first opened its doors to the community. The new facility offered 76 beds and was supported by a small medical staff.
On that first day, 6 patients were admitted. The first surgery performed was an outpatient procedure to remove a compression screw from an elbow. That afternoon saw the hospital’s first emergency surgery: repair of a perforated ulcer. A new era in healthcare had begun in the Mount Vernon community.
Growing Strong
Through the years, there have been many service enhancements and facility expansions to Inova Mount Vernon Hospital(IMVH). Many of these upgrades have happened in recent years, including the opening of the Inova HealthPlex – Lorton in 2013, construction of the Mark and Brenda Moore Patient Tower in 2014 and the opening of the new Veatch Family Emergency Department this year on November 16. Even as the facility expands, new technologies and treatments unheard of 40 years ago have become a daily part of patient care in every area of the hospital.
Today, more than 1,000 nurses and other staff members, 300 volunteers and a team of over 500 physicians proudly serve the growing and diverse community. IMVH offers patients and families the best of both worlds. It combines the comfort, convenience and personal touch of a community hospital with direct and easy access to all the world-class care and specialized services offered by Inova.
IMVH is home to the prominent and nationally recognized Inova Joint Replacement Center and Inova Rehabilitation Center. Both are rated among the top orthopedic and rehabilitation programs in the country. The hospital also serves as the administrative and clinical home to the Inova Wound Healing Centers, the Washington region’s largest and most experienced wound clinics.
As IMVH continues to grow and thrive, one thing has never changed since that October day in 1976 — its commitment to serving you. Each day, the care team works hard to ensure high-quality, highly reliable care to everyone across the community it is privileged to serve.
The hospital’s continuing high patient satisfaction scores and its numerous awards for patient safety and clinical effectiveness show that while IMVH is proud of its first 40 years, without a doubt the best is yet to come for IMVH. Stay tuned.
1976
Mount Vernon Hospital opens on October 26 as a 76-bed community hospital. In November, over 100 surgeries are performed.
1983
First inpatient unit of the Rehabilitation Center at Mount Vernon Hospital opens with 28 beds.
1987
Restructuring creates new parent company, Inova Health System.
1996
Groundbreaking takes place for Inova Mount Vernon Hospital 2000.
2013
Inova HealthPlex – Lorton, a service of Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, opens.
2014
Mark and Brenda Moore Patient Tower opens.
2016
Veatch Family Emergency Department is scheduled to open November 16.