ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
June 6, 2023
To recognize, honor, and celebrate Dr. Kurt Newman for his exemplary leadership of Children’s
National Hospital and for his outstanding contributions to pediatric healthcare for children
and families in the District of Columbia, the greater D.C. metropolitan region and across
the country.
WHEREAS, Dr. Kurt Newman joined Children’s National Hospital as a surgical fellow in
1984 and became Surgeon-in-Chief and Senior Vice President for the Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Center
for Surgical Care in 2003;
WHEREAS, in 2011, Dr. Newman became President & Chief Executive Officer of
Children’s National Hospital, a 323-bed pediatric acute care hospital located in Ward 5;
WHEREAS, under Dr. Newman’s leadership, Children’s National has elevated up the
ranks of U.S. News & World Report to be consistently ranked in the top 10 best children’s hospitals
in the nation and has repeatedly ranked as #1 for newborn care;
WHEREAS, through a culture of patient-centered care, Dr. Newman has championed
innovation in research, operations, and clinical care;
WHEREAS, Dr. Newman has strengthened and diversified the economy of the region by
growing pediatric medical research at Children’s National and the high-wage jobs that support that
field by turning Children’s National into one of the top funded pediatric institutions in National
Institutes of Health funding;
WHEREAS, Dr. Newman envisioned and led the transformation of 12 acres of the former
Walter Reed Army Medical Center into the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus,
an ecosystem dedicated to finding new and better ways to care for children;
WHEREAS, Dr. Newman has expanded Children’s National locations into all 8 Wards of
Washington, DC bringing health care closer to District of Columbia families by developing a
comprehensive system of pediatric primary care, operating the co-location of the Children’s
National Emergency Department at United Medical Center, and partnering to provide pediatric
emergency care at the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center;
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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
WHEREAS, Dr. Newman has worked tirelessly to draw more funding and attention to the
youth mental health crisis through robust advocacy efforts;
WHEREAS, under Dr. Newman’s leadership, Children’s National led a critical COVID-
19 response by opening the nation’s first drive-up and walk-up COVID testing center, offering a
critical resource for families in Washington, DC and beyond;
WHEREAS, Dr. Newman has been an active leader in the community and contributes to
the success of other organizations, including his service as a board member of the Economic Club
of Washington, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Federal City Council, D.C. Chamber of
Commerce, and the DC Hospital Association; and
WHEREAS, Children’s National and its many supporters will celebrate Dr. Newman on
his retirement on June 30, 2023, and Children’s National will continue to build upon his legacy to
provide high quality pediatric healthcare across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Dr. Kurt Newman Recognition Resolution of 2023”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Dr. Kurt Newman
for over 35 years of leadership and service to children and families in Washington, DC, and
declares June 30, 2023, as “Dr. Kurt Newman Day” in the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
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