About this Unit
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), located in Bethesda, Maryland, was established in 2011 through the merger of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center. Its origins trace back to the founding of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., in 1909, named after the famed Army physician Walter Reed. Over the decades, the center has served as the premier military medical facility in the United States, providing advanced care to service members, veterans, and their families, as well as presidents and other national leaders. Today, WRNMMC stands as a symbol of military medical excellence and a key component of the Defense Health Agency.
Historical Facts
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Origins and Naming: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) was named after Major Walter Reed, a U.S. Army physician who led the team that confirmed yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes.
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Opened in 2011: The current WRNMMC in Bethesda, Maryland, was officially opened on September 15, 2011, after the merger of the original Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Washington, D.C.) and the National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda).
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The "President's Hospital": WRNMMC is often referred to as the “President’s Hospital” because it has been the primary medical facility for U.S. presidents, vice presidents, and their families for decades.
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Presidential Patients: Every president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has received medical care at the facility, including surgeries, checkups, and even COVID-19 treatments (e.g., President Donald Trump in 2020).
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9/11 Response: The medical center played a major role in caring for military and civilian casualties following the September 11, 2001 attacks, particularly those injured at the Pentagon.
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Largest Military Medical Center: WRNMMC is the largest joint military medical center in the United States, serving Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel, retirees, and their families.
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State-of-the-Art Facilities: The center houses cutting-edge medical technology and research, including advanced trauma care, prosthetics, oncology, and psychological care for service members.
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Famous Visitors: The facility has hosted numerous dignitaries and celebrities, including British royalty, foreign leaders, and entertainers visiting wounded warriors.
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Wounded Warrior Care: WRNMMC played a pivotal role in the recovery and rehabilitation of thousands of wounded service members from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Medical Training Hub: The center is a major teaching hospital, offering training and residency programs for military and civilian medical professionals, and is affiliated with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
