CREATING A HEALING ENVIRONMENT
In a hospital, there is nothing more important than finding a space of your own
(right) AIM director Tina Mullen hangs a photograph in the UF Health Medical Plaza. This was the first collection of staff photography for the building. Since the opening of the UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital 10 years ago, AIM has used photographs taken by UF Health faculty and staff members to decorate its buildings.
WHEN YOU’RE THE FAMILY MEMBER OR VISITOR OF A PATIENT IN A HOSPITAL, there is nothing more important than finding a space that is your own — a place where you can collect your thoughts, decompress and feel calm.
In the 30 years that Arts in Medicine, or AIM, has been at UF Health Shands, the program has worked closely with the UF Health Shands Facilities team to create those calm spaces for our patients and staff by weaving art into the healing environment.
From a robust art program, to spaces specifically meant for peaceful reflection, Facilities and AIM have collaborated countless times to provide places and opportunities for art to interact with patients, visitors, faculty and staff.
According to Brad Pollitt, A.I.A., UF Health Shands Facilities vice president, the arts are top of mind and implemented throughout the entire construction process.
“From the beginning of design through the final coordination of lighting, we look at all of the important opportunities where art can have a major impact on visitors,” Pollitt said. “AIM and Facilities have collaborated to create some truly inspirational spaces.”
In the almost three decades that Facilities and AIM have worked together, they have incorporated artwork from faculty and staff in patient rooms and throughout new facilities. They have also integrated local artists’ work into the wayfinding program.
Finding tranquility and peace of mind in aesthetically pleasing spaces is quite common, according to Pollitt. He said that almost everyone can relate to being inspired by different forms of art, like songs or pictures.
“Whether it is the reflection in the moment or the distraction that helps relieve pain and pass time, art has a place in the healing environment,” Pollitt said. “Our job is to help create those moments.”
