Learn more about the Women's Board
For more information about our projects, please email the Women's Board at gwuhwb@gmail.com.
Our Work and Programs
Charity Golf Tournament: Beginning in 2001, the Women’s Board launched a charity golf tournament to raise scholarship funds for the nurses. The medical community responded positively to the initiative. As word spread, players from the Metropolitan D.C. area came out to support the tournament. Beneficiaries of the tournament now include nursing, public health and medical school scholarships, the GW Cancer Center, and patient advocacy programs.
Lights of Life: Commenced in 2003, the Lights of Life Tree Lighting Ceremony has become a tradition in the Foggy Bottom community. During the holiday season, trees in the GW Ross Hall courtyard are lit in honor and in memory of loved ones, friends, those in the military, especially our troops overseas serving in harm’s way and other special people who have touched our lives. Names of honorees are read during the special ceremony and are also published in the event’s commemorative program. These lights remain lit during the holiday season. Donations received benefit patient programs supported by the Women’s Board.
COVID-19 Frontline Worker Support: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Women’s Board coordinated support for the hospital staff on the frontlines. Each donation plays a vital role in supporting both the nutritional and emotional needs of the remarkable individuals who comprise The George Washington University Hospital.
Nursing Scholarship Program
The Women’s Board awards scholarships to qualified nursing students and GW Hospital nurses pursuing an advanced degree. To date, over $300,000 in scholarship money has been awarded.
Medical School Scholarship Fund
Each year, the Women's Board awards educational scholarships to eligible students at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. To date, over $100,000 has been awarded.
Monta Sommer Scholarship Fund
This fund has provided books to exemplary medical students at George Washington University.
Himmelfarb Library’s 3D Printer
The Women’s Board funded the addition of a 3D printer to the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library. Faculty, staff, and students, along with the GW Hospital and MFA, now have access to this service.
See a brief video of the technology →
NICU (Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit) Baby Program
The Women’s Board provided $52,000 for the placement of web cameras by the bedside of NICU infants. This NicView offers secure, online streaming service which allows parents, family and loved ones of NICU babies to view their infant 24/7, remotely. Family members can securely access NicView from anywhere there is an internet connection via a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. This innovative service provides comfort to NICU families.
Specially treated 5”x3” baby blankets, isolet covers and baby holders are sewn by volunteers to help with the care of pre- term, high risk babies. Over 800 sets have been donated to NICU in the last 10 years.
Patient Advocacy Programs
This fund provides clothing, services and other necessities to indigent patients who are not covered by Medicaid or other charitable health care programs. Over the years, the Women’s Board has developed a track record of responding to the needs of the less fortunate.
GW Cancer Center
The Women's Board supports cancer research, treatment, and screening through its annual contribution to the GW Cancer Center. To date, the Women’s Board has contributed over $100,000.
The Spiritual Care Program
The Women’s Board initiated a chaplaincy program in the spring of 2000 to attend to the humane and spiritual needs of patients, family members, and staff. Community clergy from many different faiths serve as emergency staff during peak critical times. The pastoral staff is made up of Catholic, Presbyterian, Muslim, Methodist, Jewish, Jehovah Witnesses, and Episcopalian faiths.
In 2003, the Women’s Board funded and oversaw the transformation of the existing Meditation Room at the hospital into an Interfaith Chapel. Tasked with this challenging project was Catherine Kapikian, renowned designer, and Founder and Director of the Henry Luce III Center for the Arts and Religion of the Wesley Theological Seminary. Ms. Kapikian was also commissioned to do the artwork for the chapel which she called “Passages." The Interfaith Chapel was dedicated on December 13, 2006.
Holiday Gift Giving
The Women’s Board brings holiday cheer on December 24 to patients at GW Hospital with gifts personally wrapped and delivered by its members.
Hospital Gift Shop: In March 1948, the hospital moved to its new building on 23rd Street, and the Women’s Board opened the District’s first hospital gift shop in the main lobby. Since then, it has been an instant hit among the patients, their families and friends. The gift shop carries books, toiletries, greeting cards, flowers/plants, jewelry, clothing, gift items, sodas, snacks and other necessities.
Women’s Health Symposium
On April 24, 2010, the Women’s Board hosted a women’s health symposium: Woman to Woman Mind, Body, and Spirit. The symposium, which was free and open to the public, focused on stress management, diet and nutrition, exercise, diabetes, and heart health. Free health screenings were provided along with complimentary health related products, as well as, educational workshops. The second symposium was held on March 10, 2012 and was significantly expanded at The Cloyd Heck Marvin Center, thanks to the donation of the space by GW President, Steven Knapp. The event included health education by leading GW physicians, cooking demonstrations by a celebrity chef and a seated exercise class led by a local physical fitness trainer which was enjoyed by over 150 participants ages 18-92. Free transportation was provided to women recovering in a domestic violence shelter.
Global Outreach and Community Interest Committee (GOCI)
GOCI focuses on global outreach and the local community. The committee has supported surgical mission trips to Guatemala and Haiti which included volunteer teams of GW surgeons, nurses, and public health students. In addition, the committee provides support to the American Heart Association's Heart Health Walk, Girls on the Run-DC, and Safe Shores DC Children’s Advocacy Center.
Historical Wall
In May 2010, the Women’s Board installed a permanent art piece showcasing the extraordinary volunteer work of its members since the founding of the organization in 1898. The 10 ft x 5 ft piece now occupies the wall adjacent to the Gift Shop on the Mezzanine Level of the Hospital.
Art Therapy
As part of patient advocacy, the Women's Board has worked with patients in Oncology and Rehabilitation to create various forms of art, in an effort to make their hospital stay more comfortable. Patients have created jewelry, pottery, greeting cards, and more.
The Women’s Board Teaching Center
In 1998, the Women’s Board contributed $110,000 towards computers for the Himmelfarb Library Women’s Board Teaching Center. The Women’s Board continues to provide financial support to the Center to help maintain the advances in technology.