Medical center gets artsy

Suzie Harrison

South Coast Medical Center Auxiliary launched its Art Walk last

Friday to a crowd of about 75, as part of the hospital’s Planetree

Program.

Planetree was implemented in September 2004 to help personalize

the healthcare experience for patients and families through art, pet

and music therapy and more individualized attention.

Landscape artist Tim Howe attended; he was chosen as the premier

artist for the project.

“I knew this was something the hospital was working on, looking

for an artist,” Howe said. “To be the first person to set this thing

in motion, I am blessed in that respect; I feel honored to be chosen

to start the whole process going.”

Howe has 29 pieces on display mounted in the hallways near the

lobby. His colorful landscapes take the viewer on an excursion around

the globe, capturing the essence of each place he’s traveled.

Howe is donating a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the

art to the hospital’s Foundation.

Martha Farrington, vice present of development and the medical

center’s executive director said the sole purpose of the Foundation

is to support the hospital’s needs.

“Our mission is to bring in resources from the community to aid

various hospital projects including equipment, capital improvement,

programs and services,” Farrington said. “All funds for South Coast

Medical Center programs, whether for the Cancer Center or any other

project, are directed through the Foundation.”

Originally the proceeds had been earmarked to be donated

specifically to the Cancer Center.

Barbara Zakaryan, same-day surgery volunteer, said the staff and

volunteers have heard stories from patients and families about the

art brightening their mood and outlook.

She relayed a story told to her by executive director of managed

care, John Davison.

“A couple was waiting for their daughter, who was in surgery in

the ICU,” Zakaryan said. “They were pacing up and down the halls. The

father said, ‘It was wonderfully nice to look at the art; it took my

mind off the surgery for a few moments. The art really brightens

things and cheers things up.’”

The father explained that he is a radiologist at a hospital in

another state. He had never experienced anything like this.

“Now we’re working on more fully developing our Planetree

programs,” Kathy Mullins, volunteer Planetree director said. “We want

to start a program called comforting hands to give hand massages, but

we need more volunteers.”

The Art Walk was kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony and

food and drinks were served in the lobby.

Head Chef Sam Sellona offered unusual entertainment, carving a

swan ice sculpture with a chain saw and chisels, while attendees

watched him design each intricate detail in awe.

P-Nutz the clown gave balloons to children.

South Coast Medical Center, owned by Adventist Health, has been in

danger of closing down, partially because of the huge cost of seismic

retrofitting requirements. The City Council voted unanimously at the

July 19 council meeting to continue aggressive efforts by a hospital

and city task force to keep the medical center here.

South Coast Medical Center is at 31872 S. Coast Highway.