The “Pearls of Gratitude” fundraiser held on Sept. 17 showcased the history and future of care at Maine’s only children’s hospital.
FALMOUTH – Stories of expert, patient-centered care were the focus as MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital celebrated 30 years of helping Maine and New Hampshire’s youngest patients thrive. The event on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the Woodlands Country Club in Falmouth was named “Pearls of Gratitude” for the traditional gift for a 30th anniversary and a favorite gem of the hospital’s namesake, first lady Barbara Bush. It provided a look back at the growth of MHBBCH, its deep and enduring connection to the Bush family and the future of pediatric care in Maine and New Hampshire.
Those attending the event heard from the families of patients who have benefitted from the specialized care MHBBCH provides. MHBBCH provides almost 13,000 pediatric emergency department visits a year and includes services in cancer treatment, cardiology, neonatal care, cystic fibrosis, complex care and numerous other pediatric specialties. The inpatient hospital, located within MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland, has 51 Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit beds and eight Pediatric Intensive Care Unit beds.
Lynn Blanche spoke about twice receiving the difficult news that each of her babies had cystic fibrosis. Son Carter was diagnosed at 13-months old, and three years later, Lynn learned her daughter, Emma, also would live with CF.
Both siblings were referred to MaineHealth Pediatric Specialty Care Portland. The clinic is part of the CF Foundation Therapeutic Development Network, a nationwide group of nearly 80 CF clinical research centers specializing in clinical trials to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new CF therapies. Thanks to groundbreaking research, a medication that keeps their CF under control and the expert care they received through MHBBCH, Carter, 18, and Emma, 14, are living normal lives.
“I have never met more passionate doctors, care team members and researchers who genuinely care about our children and their future,” Blanche said. “We feel quite fortunate to MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital for giving us hope.”
MHBBCH was founded in 1995 with the idea that Maine children need a care team and inpatient hospital dedicated to their unique needs. First Lady Barbara Bush, a well-known advocate for literacy and the well-being of young people as well as a part-time Maine resident, supported that vision and was proud to lend her name to the hospital. She visited many times over the years, sometimes spending her birthday reading to patients.
Other members of the Bush family now proudly carry on her legacy to the children’s hospital. Margaret Bush, a trustee of MaineHealth Maine Medical Center and Mrs. Bush’s daughter-in-law, explained why this hospital is so special to the Bush family.
“My mother-in-law had a strong love of Maine, literacy and children, and the families at MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital were always close to her heart,” Margaret Bush said. “Our family is honored that this hospital carries her name as it continues to improve the level of services available to children in this community.”
MHBBCH has grown significantly in its 30 years and now connects to several national organizations in support of the local communities in MaineHealth’s footprint. In addition to the CF Foundation Therapeutic Development Network, MHBBCH is a part of the Vermont Oxford Network, which seeks to improve neonatal care, the Children’s Oncology Group, devoted to childhood cancer research, the Virtual Pediatric Systems Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Registry, dedicated to improving pediatric critical care and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which raises money to support children’s health across the United States.
“MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital offers state-of-the-art care in a setting that is close to home,” said Dr. Mary Ottolini, MaineHealth’s George W. Hallett, MD, Chair of Pediatrics. “While we continue to grow our services, we want our patients across Maine and Carroll County, New Hampshire to know our team will always provide personal, patient-centered care.”
Dr. Ottolini also shared a sneak peek of what’s to come for the children’s hospital with emcees Michelle Taylor of 99. 9 The Wolf and Leif Erickson of 107.5 Frank FM, including expansion of its congenital heart program and increased outreach to rural parts of the state.
Proceeds from the evening, including Pearl sponsorships of $30,000 from C.N. Brown and $25,000 from TD Bank, will fund critically needed care and services to sick children throughout the state of Maine. For more information on how you can support the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, visit bbch.org/give.
