Suburban Hospital
Suburban Hospital is a community-based, not-for-profit hospital serving Montgomery County, Maryland and the surrounding area since 1943. Located in Bethesda, Maryland, Suburban is the designated trauma center for Montgomery County. Suburban Hospital is affiliated with many local health-care organizations, including the National Institutes of Health. The hospital specializes in surgery, orthopedics, cardiology, neurology, oncology, emergency/trauma and a variety of additional clinical services. On June 30, 2009, Suburban Hospital became a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine. History. On December 13, 1943, Suburban Hospital opened its doors as a 130-bed hospital constructed to accommodate  the expanding World War II military population in rural Montgomery County, Maryland. In its first full year, the small facility, consisting of several one story cottages, admitted 3,000 patients and had an operating budget of $13,000. In 1950, the hospital was purchased by the community from the federal government for $125,000. During the late 1950s, the hospital experienced a severe shortage of beds, requiring administrators to enclose sun porches and convert clinic space to accommodate patients. To alleviate the overflow of patients, the Suburban Hospital Association developed a master facility plan to construct three new wings over the  next decade. Campus enhancement project. On February 7, 2008, Suburban Hospital unveiled its plans for the first major upgrade and enhancement of its facilities and campus in nearly 30 years. The last major upgrade to its facilities was in 1979. The proposed improvements will be built on Suburban's existing campus at 8600 Old Georgetown Road, across from its key clinical partner, the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Major features include improved access to the emergency/trauma center; more private patient rooms; larger operating rooms; onsite physician offices; and more parking. Details include: