Written by Lauren Rabb | Curator | TMC Healing Art Program
Art PROGRAM Healing
First fundraiser a resounding success
The first TMC Healing Art Fundraiser was a great success, selling more than 40 photographs and raising more than $3,000.
Held on March 18 at the Temple of Music and Art Gallery, the event featured images of renowned national and local photographers, such as Gregory Cranwell, Steve Dell, B.G. Boyd, Marla Endicott, Larry Hanelin, M.D., and Niccole Celeste Radhe.
The exhibit also included photos from professional photographer Pamela Gresham Knight, who traveled from Texas to attend the fundraiser in-person.
“I am astonished by the incredible artwork the TMC Healing Art Program has received,” said Knight. “These photos and paintings are what you might normally see in a museum or gallery.” Knight also explained she strongly supports the cause. “I’m honored and humbled to have my photographs be part of providing relief and comfort for patients who are healing.”
We want to thank everyone who purchased a photograph from our fundraiser. Framed photographs are still available at very reasonable prices. This is an inexpensive way to support the program and honor the photographers who donated their images to the hospital. Please contact me at lrauthor@cox.net if you are interested in purchasing one of these incredible framed photos.
The TMC Foundation would like to congratulate Lauren Rabb on a successful fundraiser. Her tireless efforts to procure unique, quality art are making a positive and meaningful contribution to the environment at TMC.”
– Michael Duran, J.D. TMC Vice President and Chief Development Officer
staff reactions Patient &
One of our patients expressed how the vibrant colors of the paintings in the rooms made him feel so much better. They reminded him of Mexico and all of the colors that you see in the mercados from the vegetables, fruits and flowers. The art gave him an opportunity to share his own love of art and to talk about his career as an artist, to reminisce about his love of Mexico. It was a wonderful topic of conversation.
– Sarah Yeager, BS, MBA, RVT Manager, TMC Vascular Laboratory, Urodynamics & Ultrasound
On April 14 we had the pleasure of having David Pavlovich play again at our annual event Always Loved - our ceremony to remember children who have passed away on Pediatrics/PICU, NICU, Pediatric Emergency Department and Hospice. This event is attended by the families of these children. He has played his harp at the beginning of the event for the last two years, and his music provides a calm, relaxing environment for the families and staff as they arrive and is something we all look forward to each year.
Thank you,
– Keri Gerhart, BA, CCLS Certified Child Life Specialist Pediatric Emergency Department/NICU
TMC study confirms healing art positively impacts patients
The TMC Healing Art Program began its fifth year with a pilot research study to determine if healing art could reduce pain and anxiety after surgery. Patients who had just received elective hip or knee surgery were shown a commissioned video of beautiful landscape imagery combined with classical music.
We are happy to report the video and music clearly improved how patients felt after surgery. It was exciting to see healing art in action, and the ways it provided significant benefits to patients and their families.
“In my experience, patients feel notably better in a soothing, post-surgical environment,” said Ali Dalal, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon who performs knee and hip surgery at TMC and participated in the study. “In this study, my patients said the peaceful artwork and music contributed to a positive and healing atmosphere.”
This research is a validation of the mission, purpose and efforts of the TMC Healing Program. We take pride and confidence that with every sculpture, photograph and painting, we are making a real difference in the lives of TMC patients and the community.
We could not have completed this in-depth study without the assistance of the TMC nursing, physician and physical therapy staff. A most sincere thanks for their accommodation and participation. A special thanks to Don and Gail Lively for compiling the research, and to photographer Gregory Cranwell for donating his time, energy and images.
If you’d like to read the report, please email me at lrauthor@cox.net and I’ll send you the results.
New musicians join ahead of schedule
In the last newsletter we mentioned plans to add a fifth medical musician, and thanks to the generosity of Rica Spivack we actually added two this year!
The new therapeutic musicians are Carla Fabris, a harpist visiting from San Francisco while her husband gets his Ph.D. in cello at the University of Arizona, and Grace Sheppard, a classical guitarist entering her sophomore year at UA. They are already beloved by staff, visitors and patients.
The TMC Healing Art Program received extraordinary gifts this spring, and we are grateful for the generosity of our donors.
Fred Wackerle donated 11 paintings and works on paper. Lauri Kaye donated 28 of her works from the Tucson Portrait Stories series and Wes Jernigan provided 37 prints for Buck Hall.
Donor update
We also received gifts from artists Charles Thomas and Elaine Pekarske. Collectors who donated works include Doris and Len Coris, Harriet Silverman, Sheldon Trubatch and Katharina Phillips, and Dr. William Becker.
Since our last newsletter, we have welcomed new photographers to our family. Marianne Leis, Dr. Hal Tretbar, Dr. Larry Haas, Larry Simkins, Robie-Jean Chandler, Russell Pry, Bruce Schadow, and Deborah Kauffeld.
Visual Thinking Strategies at TMC
Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is a research-based education nonprofit which teaches methods of examining art that can help individuals enhance their professional observation and communication skills, which are essential for clinical staff.
This spring, volunteer Jacquelyn Feller and I were formally trained in VTS methods by Em Miller, the operations manager of the VTS organization. This allows us to offer VTS as a formal course, and this summer we’ll work with Erica Murphy, the TMC professional development specialist, to teach VTS to nurses who are beginning their careers at TMC.
If you’d like more information about VTS or my teaching schedule, please contact me at lrauthor@cox.net.
Financial donations came from Rica Spivack, Steve and Doris Ratoff, Susan Drew, Sonja VanBuuren, Marla Endicott, Howard and Marlies Terpning, and Dr. Hal Tretbar.
A sincere thanks to everyone who continues to support the TMC Healing Art Program. Your support and generosity make this program something truly appreciated by the staff, patients and their families.
TMC Healing Art Program recognized during Nurses Week
This May, we had the honor of presenting at the TMC nurses week conference. Jacquelyn Feller, our amazing volunteer and former nurse herself, delivered an extraordinary presentation about the TMC Healing Art Program to nurses, clinical leaders, and administrative staff.
Between her dynamic presentation and the work of TMC Communications, the TMC Foundation was recognized for the contribution the TMC Healing Art Program makes to the hospital’s environment.
5301 E. Grant Road
Tucson, AZ 85712-2805
Strategic Planning Committee takes shape
We established a strategic planning committee this spring to explore different means of communicating the importance of healing art to TMC staff and the community.
In addition, we discussed building financial independence through a robust endowment to ensure the program can operate in perpetuity and provide even greater benefit to the hospital.
Please join us and consider making a gift to the TMC Healing Art Program Endowment. For more information contact Michael Duran, TMC vice president and chief development officer, at (520) 324-3316 or michael.duran@tmcaz.com.
Artwork by Ric Nielsens