B.U. Bridge is published by the Boston University Office of University Relations.

Contact Us

Staff

WBUR's Here and Now goes national

WBUR's three-year-old midday news and features show, Here and Now, will be offered nationally via satellite to other National Public Radio stations beginning September 17. Several outlets, including stations in Philadelphia, Dallas, Phoenix, and Syracuse, have expressed interest in picking up the program.

The show, which is hosted by Bruce Gellerman and Robin Young, has focused since 1999 on regional issues that appeal to WBUR's Boston and Rhode Island listeners and those who pick it up on New Hampshire Public Radio or WPNI-AM in Amherst, Mass. Throughout the summer, however, the show's news segments have become increasingly focused on national and international events.

Reviews of the arts and feature coverage will shift in focus as well. In addition to nationally known authors and films, theater and dance reviews will promote touring groups and productions. Other regular features will also follow suit. The Friday editorial roundtable, for instance, will host newspaper editors from across the country in discussions of major events and their coverage.

"There's been a huge need in the system for a midday news presence," says Sam Fleming, WBUR's news director. "For a long time public radio had Morning Edition and then Talk of the Nation. Our listeners were used to Monitor Radio [which folded in 1997] during the midday. Our feeling is that at noon, when people are having lunch at their desk or doing their chores, they want to hear news."

BMC ranks among nation's best

Boston Medical Center (BMC) has again been ranked among the nation's best in U.S. News & World Report's annual America's Best Hospitals issue.

BMC was recognized for excellence in six specialties: respiratory, geriatrics, rheumatology, neurology/neurosurgery, heart, and kidney. This is the first time the hospital has been acknowledged in this many categories.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the top 50 hospitals in 17 specialties, and BMC received its highest ranking to date -- a 14th in respiratory. The medical center was also ranked 22nd in kidney, 35th in neurology, and 37th in rheumatology.

The magazine assessed 6,116 hospitals nationwide; 1,878 were evaluated in the final rankings. To be considered, a hospital had to meet at least one of three requirements: membership in the Council of Teaching Hospitals of the Association of American Medical Colleges, affiliation with a medical school, and the availability of a minimum of 17 key technologies.

"These rankings demonstrate what the BMC community already knows -- that our doctors, nurses, and staff provide the highest-quality care to our patients," says Elaine Ullian, BMC president and CEO. "We are extremely proud of the care all our departments provide each day."

Children's Museum tickets available

As part of Boston University's corporate membership in the Children's Museum, the Office of Personnel has 34 pairs of free admission tickets.

Employees who are interested in receiving a pair should call Kimberly Wilbur at 353-4463 or e-mail kwilbur@bu.edu. Please include your name, department, and phone number in your message. Names will be received through September 28. On that day, 34 individuals will be chosen at random to each receive a pair of tickets.

The admission is valid through May 12, 2002, and may be used anytime during the museum's normal operating hours.

14 September 2001
Boston University
Office of University Relations