Northwest Hospital Foundation Celebrates Opening of Healing Garden for Patients
Northwest Hospital Foundation recently celebrated the opening of a new Healing Garden for TCU/Rehab patients as part of National Rehabilitation Awareness Week. The garden is the inspiration of TCU and Rehab staff members at UPMC Northwest who envisioned a recreational area that would provide patients with a private outdoor garden to enjoy during their extended hospitalization in the Transitional Care or Rehabilitation Unit.
The garden, funded by the Northwest Hospital Foundation and constructed by King’s Landscaping, includes raised planters for patients to directly participate in the planting, watering and ongoing care of both vegetable and flower gardens. A shaded table and chairs, along with additional seating areas highlight the open-air garden.
Many patient activities have already been held in the Healing Garden including family visits, patient birthday celebrations, a luncheon and games party, as well as individual and group occupational therapy sessions. Plans for exercise programs, gardening programs and other fair-weather events are being developed for patients and families. According to Lorraine McCauley, who has participated in activities in the Healing Garden, the atmosphere is “wonderful…just beautiful.”
Northwest Hospital Foundation’s mission is to enhance UPMC Northwest’s ability to provide high-quality care to the residents of the region it serves by making financial resources available to UPMC Northwest. Theresa Edder, Northwest Hospital Foundation executive director says, “The foundation is extremely proud to fund projects such as the Healing Garden that enhance the patient experience of those in the care of UPMC Northwest’s dedicated staff and physicians.” She adds, “It is very fulfilling to follow a project from inception to completion, and ultimately see the smiles on the faces of the patients it benefits.”
