TMC selects local muralist for new Geropsychiatric Center; Good Ole Tom’s contributes to expand project
Tucson Medical Center has long embraced the belief that art creates a unique environment for healing, so it was a natural extension to solicit a public artist to paint a mural in the new therapeutic center for older adults experiencing behavioral health issues.
of the TMC Geropsychiatric Center at Handmaker. Waldman said she was also grateful for the energy and vision that Villabrille brought to the project, and for the $1,000 contribution from Good Ole Tom’s, which helped fund an expansion of the art project for the new memory care unit at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging for the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease.
The selection committee chose Jos Villabrille from 60 applications, based on his strong Jos Villabrille response to a call for a piece that would be soothing and reflective. Villabrille has been painting TMC was nominated for a Tucson Pima Arts professionally for 40 years and has painted many Council award for public art in 2012 because of public art pieces, including at Park Place, Foothills its extensive sculpture, murals, artwork and open Mall and Desert Diamond Casino, as well as space throughout the campus. The project at restaurants and private residences. Handmaker complements the TMC Foundation Healing Art program, which is installing art “We were profoundly grateful for the community’s throughout the TMC campus to enhance the interest in the project,” said Terri Waldman, director hospital environment.
TMC donates modular building to Copper Queen complex in Douglas Tucson Medical Center embraces “community” as one of its values, donating a massive 5,200-square-foot modular building in December to the Copper Queen Medical Associates Rural Health Complex in Douglas. The building will expand and enhance physical therapy services. “This gift from Tucson Medical Center is creating a new level of collaboration between their hospital and ours to improve care across Southern Arizona,” said Jim Dickson, CEO of the Copper Queen Community Hospital. “It’s good to know that the modular building that provided a space for us to serve so many people while our campus underwent various development projects will continue to help patients,” said Judy Rich, TMC president and CEO. The project is part of a $4 million renovation and expansion project that also includes enhanced diagnostics, a Quick Care facility for “no appointment” visits and a CT scanner.
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