• By

    Karl Oestreich

    Media statement from Dr. John Noseworthy, Mayo Clinic President and CEO, regarding passing of former President George H.W. Bush

ROCHESTER, Minn. — All of us at Mayo Clinic are deeply saddened at the passing of former President George H.W. Bush, who provided a remarkable example to the nation of service, humility and internationalism. We offer our deepest condolences to the Bush family at the loss of a gentleman and leader whose steadfast support of Mayo Clinic will always be remembered.

President H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara smiling and sitting outside on a bench
George H.W. and Barbara Bush

Along with his wife, Barbara Bush, whose memory we continue to honor after her passing this year, Mr. Bush had a long, close relationship with Mayo Clinic. Barbara Bush served with distinction as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2001.

President and Barbara Bush were generous friends and advocates for excellence. For 13 years, they graciously and warmly opened their home at Walker Point in Kennebunkport, Maine, to host Mayo Clinic benefactors to support Mayo in sharing our vision for the future of health care.

In 2010, in honor of their commitment to Mayo Clinic, Mayo established an endowment in honor of President and Mrs. Bush: the George H.W. and Barbara P. Bush Strategic Initiative Fund in Education. This fund advances the standard of education for generations to come by supporting a diverse array of prioritized initiatives – from high-technology educational tools to instruction in compassionate care.

In 2017, President and Mrs. Bush established the George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush Scholarship, which will be awarded to one student each year at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

After Mrs. Bush passed away earlier this year, Mayo Clinic established the Pauline Robinson "Robin" Bush Honorary Fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology at Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Pauline Robinson "Robin" Bush, the second child of George H.W. and Barbara Bush, died of childhood leukemia at the age of 3. The fellowship recognizes Barbara Bush’s commitment to Mayo Clinic, her dedication as a public servant and her humanity as a life-long advocate for childhood causes.

In his inaugural address, President Bush said, “America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle."

This call resonates with Mayo's primary value that the needs of the patient come first. It has been an honor to join the Mayo and Bush names in service to humanity. President Bush and Barbara Bush were treasured members of the Mayo Clinic family and will be deeply missed.

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About Mayo Clinic
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