It is nationally recognized for its high level of training, clinical practice, and research in all areas dealing with infants, children, adolescents and their families. The hospital attracts patients and their families from the District of Columbia and the adjoining states of Virginia and Maryland, as well as from other nations by way of international embassies housed in the District of Columbia. These sources provide rich clinical experiences with youth from multiple cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Its current Chairman of Psychiatry is Paramjit Joshi, MD, who has extensive experience in mental health service delivery and specializes in children and adolescents with depression and serious psychopathology. From its inception, the training program of the Department of Psychiatry has promoted comprehensive clinical service and advocacy for child and adolescent mental health.
Faculty members are active in child and adolescent mental health affairs nationally.
Many are involved in regional and local mental health committees as well. All faculty members hold appointments at the GW School of Medicine. Superior faculty, diverse cultural and socio-economic populations, a broad spectrum of clinical problems, the most modern pediatric facilities, and countless research opportunities make Children's Hospital National Medical Center an outstanding training site. The average length of patients' stay is 39 days, with a four month maximum. Treatment discourages institutional dependence and emphasizes early, gradual resumption of family and community responsibilities with outpatient treatment.