GW and UHS Reach Initial Agreement on Funding MFA

The George Washington University is working closely with GW Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) and Universal Health Services (UHS)-the owner and operator of GW University Hospital (GWUH)-to establish a new long-term affiliation that will sustain both the university's academic medical enterprise and the provision of patient care.

Under the leadership of President Ellen M. Granberg and the Board of Trustees, GW has reached an initial agreement with UHS on some important financial terms including UHS's agreement to co-fund the MFA during the remainder of our negotiations and through the conclusion of any potential definitive agreement. GW's current financial expenditure for the MFA will be significantly reduced over time; GW will continue to fund the delivery of its clinical education, as it does now. Additionally, under this framework, UHS will directly employ clinical and non-clinical staff. Physicians transitioning to UHS employment will remain faculty at GW.

"This agreement gives us breathing room to work through the hardest issues without jeopardizing patient care or our academic mission," said Bruno Fernandes, GW's executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. "We're committed to transparency and diligence in the weeks and months ahead."

While no final affiliation agreement has been reached, GW, UHS and MFA are now turning to critical matters, including the preservation of our high-quality academic programs and how clinical integration and quality standards will be managed across GWUH and Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center. These issues require thoughtful alignment of institutional and faculty interests.

"As we enter this next phase, our faculty's insights, perspectives and expertise are essential to shaping an agreement that protects our missions of education, research and clinical care," said Barbara L. Bass, dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and vice president for health affairs.

Throughout this period, the parties have reaffirmed their shared continued commitment to education, research and patient care. The path ahead is challenging, but this initial agreement is a positive step in forging a sustainable path forward that meets the unique needs and mission of GW, UHS and the MFA and the communities we collectively serve.