Bush Atrium

When Barbara and President George H.W. Bush passed away within seven months of one another in 2018, their portrait and its designated home in the new Paula and Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter III Tower took on even greater meaning.

Houston Methodist patients, doctors, nurses, staff and guests visited the Barbara and President George H.W. Bush Atrium to pay their respects and honor the legacy of America’s longest-married presidential couple. Hundreds viewed their portrait, and employees wrote condolences and precious personal memories of the president and first lady in a book delivered to the Bush family.

“The Bushes held a special place in our hearts as we considered them both members of the Houston Methodist family,” President and CEO Dr. Marc Boom wrote to the hospital’s 24,000 employees. Even now, their work to benefit society continues as their many friends move forward with an initiative to honor the couple by supporting Houston Methodist programs in research, patient care and medical education.

Longtime Houston Methodist supporters Anne and Charles Duncan serve on the Bush Atrium Committee and consider the special space in Walter Tower as a way to honor “not only great Americans, but great Houstonians.”

“We have known and admired the Bushes for many years and believe the Bush Atrium is a beautiful tribute to their lives and their love for Houston,” says Charles.

The Duncans have supported the Duncan Scholars annually since 2011. In 2018, they decided to make this commitment last forever. Through The Duncan Fund and their personal generosity, the Duncans’ remarkable campaign commitment established the Charles and Anne Duncan Centennial Chair in Nephrology and the Charles and Anne Duncan Centennial Chair in Endocrinology, as well as the Charles and Anne Duncan Endowment for the Duncan Scholars to provide permanent support to this elite medical training program.

“The Duncans’ contributions to Houston Methodist over the decades have been immeasurable,” says Dr. Richard J. Robbins, holder of the Charles and Anne Duncan Presidential Distinguished Chair. Their foresight and generosity in 2005 were key elements in attracting Dr. Robbins here from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to serve as Chairman of the Department of Medicine.

“Their enduring commitment to under-writing education has sponsored 34 Duncan Scholars in endocrinology, diabetes and nephrology in the past seven years,” says Dr. Robbins. “Their most recent commitment ensures us the privilege of continuing this important medical education in perpetuity and providing resources for two new endowed chairs. The trainees and patients at Houston Methodist will benefit for generations to come.”

The Duncans meet with the scholars every year and find them to be a brilliant, impressive group of young physicians. “We enjoy hearing about their lives and plans for the future,” says Anne. “We believe medical education now is critical to the future of medical care in the country.”