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Arts
in
Healthcare
Overview
May
29, 2008 |
Some local hospitals
have found a way to mix
the creative arts with
the art of healing. The
Lee Memorial Health
System Arts in
Healthcare program
includes everything from
piano music and painting
to clown comedy and
drawing. Gayle Cook is a
volunteer with the
program. She says,
“Anytime you can create
something you can feel
good about yourself.
Sonja Arledge-Lomano
helped spearhead the
program in Southwest
Florida. She says,
“Arts in healing is just
so therapeutic in so
many different ways.”
The program has dozens
of volunteers. Sally
Prouty is a musician who
volunteers her time to
play the piano in the
lobby of the Healthpark
Medical Center. She
says, “Every hospital
should have room for the
arts in healthcare
program because it
brings so much joy and
happiness feelings for
all people. It means so
much to us.” LMHS
opened its first gallery
for disabled artists in
1997. Since then the
program has expanded to
provide healing therapy
that benefits both the
patients and the
volunteers. Sonja says,
“They feel like they’re
getting so much more out
of it than they are
putting in. But on the
other hand from the
patients and families
they’re getting so much
so it’s a win, win for
everybody. The Arts in
Healthcare Program is
possible thanks to
donations and grants and
is always looking for
volunteers. To find out
how you can get involved
you can call
(239)-334-5633. Right
now almost half of the
hospitals in the United
States have some form of
an Arts in Healthcare
Program. |
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