IN SHORT

Barely out of her teenage years, Ivana de Medrano crossed the ocean from her native Bologna to Panama on the side of the doctor she had fallen in love with. Over the years, Dr Juan Medrano gave Ivana a family, and gave Panama the Hospital Nacional. After his passing, their children and Ivana have kept his legacy – and dream – alive, running the hospital for the benefit of Panamanians across the country.