First Lady Visits Children's National
March 01, 2017
First Lady Melania Trump today met with patients, families, doctors and other care team members at Children’s National Health System, to talk about their personal experiences and health care journeys, and how the gift of nature and the beauties of the outdoors can contribute to the healing process.
“I am a passionate believer in integrating and interpreting nature’s elements into our daily lives to create a warm, nurturing and positive environment. I believe that these same natural benefits can be instrumental to enhancing the health and well-being of all children. It is important to me that children can recognize, identify and express their feelings in order to promote their mental wellness and healing process,” said Mrs. Trump.
“Children’s National has had a long tradition of welcoming our First Ladies, and we are excited to have Mrs. Trump join us today,” said Kurt Newman, MD, President and CEO. “We share her belief in the power of nature’s beauty to help kids heal and thrive.”
Central to her visit was a gathering with patients, caregivers and families in the Bunny Mellon Healing Garden at Children’s National. The 7200 sq. ft. garden honors the late DC philanthropist and horticulturist, Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon, and is dedicated to all of the First Ladies of the United States, in recognition of their longstanding support of the nation’s children and the mission of Children’s National. The Healing Garden was created to give children and families at the hospital the opportunity to safely experience the outdoors during care, giving them a respite from treatment and a means of experiencing the comfort, peace and healing power of a beautiful garden environment. It will be officially dedicated by the First Lady at a special event later this spring.
The First Lady toured several areas of the hospital and met with physicians and patients at Children’s National Heart Institute. In the Healing Garden, the First Lady gathered around with several children to plant seeds of Morning Glory, a symbol of love and renewal, followed by one of the children reading a short poem called "Seeds."
About Children's National Health System
Children’s National Health System, based in Washington, D.C., has served the nation’s children since 1870. Children’s National is one of the nation’s Top 5 pediatric hospitals and, for a second straight year, is ranked No. 1 in newborn care, as well as ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. It has been designated two times as a Magnet® hospital, a designation given to hospitals that demonstrate the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty outpatient centers in the D.C. Metropolitan area, including the Maryland suburbs and Northern Virginia. Home to the Children’s Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children’s National is the seventh-highest NIH-funded pediatric institution in the nation. Children’s National is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels.
For more information, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.