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Maine Hospital Named for Barbara Bush Recognizes Her Passing

Maine Medical Center recognized the passing of former first lady Barbara Bush – namesake of The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. “We all stood a little taller because we were associated with Mrs. Bush,” said MMC President and CEO Rich Petersen. “Her unwavering support for children’s health and deep commitment to the hospital that bears her name moved many to share her passion and improve the health of our state’s youngest and most vulnerable patients. She connected with every child and family member she met during her many visits to The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. Many of those children have grown to be healthy adults and still treasure that connection. She was inspired by our care teams, and they were inspired by her passion and dedication. We will all miss her greatly.” Bush and her husband, President George H.W. Bush, joined MMC on Sept. 28, 1995 for the announcement that Maine’s only children’s hospital would be named in her honor. She died April 17 at 92.

Cancer Survivor Now Doctor at Same Hospital Where She Was Treated

Jennifer Pratt was diagnosed with bone cancer at age 11 and went through chemotherapy for over a year at Children’s Minnesota in St. Paul. During her treatment, she decided she wanted to become a doctor and, 20 years later, she is a hospitalist in the same organization where she received care, . Pratt feels she has unique experiences that help her understand and relate to the children going through a serious illness. "I have always wanted to work at Children's," Pratt said. "They put kids first, and that's really where my values are aligned to. [Working here] is a dream come true." 

Medical Center Uses App to Communicate with Non-English Speaking Patients

The University of Virginia Medical Center is making sure its patients have the same level of understanding when they come into their facility, . With an app called CyraCom medical staff can translate up to 200 different languages, by connecting CyraCom interpreters with patients by both phone or video chat. “Every single person deserves the same opportunity and the same education and the same understanding," says Donna White, the medical center’s clinical pharmacy coordinator of ambulatory care.

Drug Company Raises Cost Per Pill as Researchers Investigate Effectiveness of Lower Dose

When a group of cancer researchers began testing whether the lower dose of a $148,000-a-year drug was just as effective — and could save patients money — the pharmaceutical company quickly rolled out a new pricing strategy to triple the cost, the Washington Post's Carolyn Johnson .