First Lady brings holiday cheer to patients, families and staff at Children’s National Hospital
December 06, 2019
WASHINGTON – On Friday, December 6, First Lady Mrs. Trump visited Children’s National Hospital. As part of her visit she read a Christmas story to patients and families and also stopped to spread holiday cheer to children in the Surgical Care Unit and the Short Stay Unit.
The First Lady visits to Children’s National Hospital are an annual tradition that dates back more 70 years to Bess Truman, who stopped by to see families who weren't able to spend their holidays at home.
“Over the years we’ve had the privilege of hosting Presidents, First Ladies, Vice Presidents and Second Ladies for various historical events. As we approach the 150th anniversary of Children’s National, this tradition of First Lady visits has been a very special part of our history. We are so pleased to continue the tradition by hosting Mrs. Trump again during this year’s holiday visit”, said Kathy Gorman, M.S.N., R.N., F.A.A.N., Executive Vice President for Patient Care Services and Chief Operating Officer at Children's National Hospital. “It is a very special time for all of our children and staff here at Children’s National.”
Holiday Cheer
Watch and listen to First Lady Mrs. Trump read to children at Children's National Hospital
Watch the video
For this 2019 visit, patient Caoilinn McLane introduced the First Lady at an event in the Children’s National atrium. 18-year-old McLane met First Lady Mrs. Trump while being treated at Children’s National in 2017 after being diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) and she has continued to stay in touch. “I saw a glow on my daughter's face”, said Caoilinn’s mom of the first time they met, “She felt cared for, valued and important. She just appreciated that someone cared so much to ask about her and how she was doing”.
The First Lady read “Oliver The Ornament Meets Belle”, to patients and their families alongside the author of the book Todd Zimmermann, Santa, Mrs. Claus and two patient escorts.
Media Contact: Beth Riggs | 202-476-4500
About Children's National Hospital
Children’s National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., has served the nation’s children since 1870. Children’s National is the nation’s No. 6 pediatric hospital and, for the third 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 children’s hospital 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.
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