|
8 of 12 |
|
NICU Images In addition to providing their NICU patients with the best available medical technology and nursing staff, the hospital wanted to surround babies and their families with hope, love, and community support. DAS guided MMC through a process to determine and acquire the most appropriate, comforting and hopeful artwork for the NICU. Nurses and former NICU parents were questioned to find out what truly offered them comfort during their long, stressful days in the NICU. After reviewing multiple responses, the art committee unanimously decided to commission Lisa McSpadden to create a NICU grad portrait gallery of local children which would be displayed inside the NICU above the din and bleeps of the machinery. Portraits depicting the joy and wonder of childhood would include each child’s first name, a short summary of their birth weight and length stay, along with their current age and favorite things. |
|
Nursery Images, Mercy Medical Center, Rogers, Arkansas
Susan Barrett, President of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas explains the directional thought process for art in the Well Baby and NICU nurseries: “As the committee worked through the thoughts around a healing environment in the nursery areas, the concept of "TOUCH" became the element of healing we tried to articulate through images. This concept resonated with much of what we heard from those we serve, those we serve with, and our own special experiences with all the situations that might be encountered within a well baby and intensive care nursery.” |
|
Portraits by Lisa McSpadden of Lisa Mac Photography, Bentonville, AR |
|
DAS contracted Lisa McSpadden to photograph Mercy newborns both in her studio and at the hospital. Portraits were to be inclusive and represent the true population mix found in Rogers, Arkansas. In order to involve the community, the hospital nursing staff explained the project to new parents. Free photo sessions were offered during the month of January 2008. The resultant gallery truly reflected the miracle and joy birth brings.
DAS located newborn portraits inside the Nursery so as not to create negative responses from NICU parents since they shared the same elevator lobby and corridor with this Nursery. Upon approaching the nursery viewing window viewers see the newborns in their layettes, along with a loving collage of beautiful babies. |
|
Portraits by Lisa McSpadden of Lisa Mac Photography, Bentonville, AR |
|
Parent Quotes:
“. . . down the hall to the NICU, there were big portraits of older children (from ages 3 to adult) who were former preemies, and it was so encouraging to see them. I always looked for the kids who were in the NICU longer than my son, and I was encouraged to see them healthy.
“When you are longing to simply hold your baby, the last thing that would have been helpful was to see images of babies in mom's arms. I remember the grim walk back to my empty room, walking by all of those rooms of moms that had their babies with them. My arms were empty; my child was struggling to breathe.” |
