DCHUX SURGICAL CENTER
(DC Hand & Upper Extremity Surgical Center)
Dr. Shar Hashemi
Washington, DC
How Dr. Hashemi, Surgeon at NBJI Built His Vision for a New Surgical Center
This conversation with Dr. Char Hashimi explores how the vision for DC’s only privately held ambulatory surgery center translated into a real, code-compliant facility. He walks through certificate-of-need history, planning OR and periop capacity, and the role of Liberty’s design-build team, legal, compliance, pharmacy, and radiation partners in turning a tight historic footprint into a future-ready, patient-centered surgical hub.
Progress Update. FGI Health Inspection
This episode walks through DCHUX’s new hand surgery center after Department of Health review uncovered FGI-related design deficiencies in the operating rooms and periop bays. Ethan and Wilar show how the team is enlarging the ORs, upgrading flooring and panels, tweaking medical gas, HVAC, sterilization, and drainage, and reworking bay spacing to satisfy ASC guidelines without expanding the suite’s footprint. It’s a behind-the-walls look at how code, equipment, and real-world constraints collide once a “finished” surgical center meets Medicare and Department of Health standards.
Demo Update
The old medical suite is fully demolished, exposing tight ceilings and aging MEP that serve multiple tenants. Our team is coordinating with building engineers to decide what lines, drains, and ductwork can stay while preparing for new plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. With permits approved and a June 2025 deadline, all trades are reviewing conditions to quickly plan reroutes, install new heat pumps, and fit modern systems into the limited ceiling space. The goal is to turn the cleared shell into a high-end surgical office through fast, coordinated work.
Owner Walkthrough
A new two-OR surgical center is underway at 3 Washington Circle for DCHUX, led by Dr. Hashemi and Liberty Construction. After closing their first location during the pandemic, the team secured a larger space with access to nearby trauma services and began a full redesign. The project involves navigating tight ceiling constraints, reusing select mechanical systems, and meeting strict codes for med-gas, HVAC, and life-safety compliance. With framing up and MEP design underway, Liberty and the clinical team are coordinating equipment needs, regulatory requirements, and budget limits as they transform the shell into a high-end, code-compliant surgical facility opening in summer 2025.
DCHUX
Contractor: Liberty Construction
Architect: A&I Design
Liberty Construction completed this design-build outpatient surgical center for Dr. Shar Hashemi at Three Washington Circle in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, DC. DCHUX (DC Hand & Upper Extremity Surgical Center) is a privately held ambulatory surgery facility purpose-built for hand, nerve, and orthopedic procedures, steps from a Level I trauma center. As the Washington, DC general contractor on this medical office construction project, our team partnered with A&I Design to navigate a tight historic footprint, an existing ceiling plenum, and strict ASC code requirements while delivering a precision clinical environment.
Purpose-Built for Surgical Excellence
From two fully equipped operating rooms to a dedicated procedure room, sterilization suite, and recovery bays, every square foot of DCHUX is engineered to support high-acuity hand, nerve, and orthopedic surgery. Surgical lights, integrated anesthesia systems, and a full med-gas backbone are paired with clean lines, a neutral palette, and bright, controlled lighting so surgeons and staff can work with focus.
Engineered for Safety, Flow, and Compliance
Behind the walls sits the heart of the project: NFPA-compliant med-gas, dedicated UPS backup power, advanced HVAC filtration, and organized electrical infrastructure. Each system was coordinated within a tight existing ceiling plenum to meet ambulatory surgery code, FGI guidelines, and Department of Health requirements. The result is a seamless clinical flow from sterilization to OR to PACU, supported by reliable redundancy and life-safety controls.
A Center Designed Around Patients and Precision
DCHUX is a place where advanced medicine meets considered design. Wide corridors, comfortable prep and recovery areas, and a centralized nursing station bring efficiency and calm to the patient experience. Soft finishes balance the technical environment, natural light eases wayfinding, and the layout supports families as they accompany patients through their visit.
Modern Care for a Modern City
Built in partnership with the DCHUX clinical team and designed by A&I Design, this Washington, DC ambulatory surgical center reflects a shared commitment to elevating outpatient hand and upper-extremity surgery. Located steps from a Level I trauma center and surrounded by leading specialists, the new space strengthens clinical collaboration and expands access to specialty surgical care across the DMV area. DCHUX is a sophisticated, future-focused surgical center, engineered for precision, built for safety, and designed to support exceptional outcomes for years to come.