Washington Adventist Hospital is working to finalize its relocation from Takoma Park to a new location in White Oak, just miles away from the Food and Drug Administration's headquarters. The hospital will sustain use of its Takoma Park campus.

The massive relocation effort, expected to bring 1,000 new jobs to Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, awaits approval from the Maryland Health Care Commission, the entity that regulates the state's hospitals.

The commission is expected to review Adventist Hospital's certificate of need during a series of evidentiary hearings in August, hospital officials say.

All major local traffic and land use approvals have already been obtained for the new site.

The commission’s decision to approve Adventist Hospital’s request to relocate would pave the way for a 249-bed hospital.

“We expect the Maryland Health Care Commission will render a decision within a few months of the hearings, but there is no set timeline for a decision to be made,” said Joyce Portela, president of Washington Adventist Hospital.

“We have been working closely with residents, community leaders and elected officials in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties to ensure the relocated hospital, with the continued use of our Takoma Park campus, will strengthen the region's health-care infrastructure and expand access to care for all,” Portela said. 

In May, Adventist asked the health care commission to delay its final review because a member of their legal team became suddenly ill. 

“We asked the Maryland Health Care Commission for an extension in order for the other members of the legal team to prepare adequately for the evidentiary hearings,” Portela said.