BRASELTON, Ga. – In the words of Florence Nightingale, the famed founder of modern nursing, “Variety of form and brilliancy of color in the object presented to patients are an actual means of recovery.”
The leaders at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton, set to open this Spring, have taken this to heart and installed an expansive art collection at the future hospital to further enhance the intentional healing environment they have created for patients. Even better, the collection includes numerous original works from local artists, bringing yet another local touch to the community hospital.
Recently, the hospital celebrated these local artists with a special reception, allowing them the first viewing of the just-installed art collection. Local artists brought their friends and family to see their creations proudly displayed on the hospital walls.
Rodney Hamilton, a resident of the neighboring Village at Deaton Creek, brought his wife, daughter and grandchildren to view his three photographs located on the ground floor.
“I am thrilled to have my artwork on display in this beautiful facility,” said Hamilton. “To know that I’ve left a lasting thumbprint in my community hospital is both exciting and humbling.”
Creating this opportunity for community participation is part of the hospital’s master plan, says Anthony Williamson, President of the future NGMC Braselton.
“We have worked to incorporate community input throughout our planning and design process,” he says. “We had feedback from more than 1,000 community members during our planning phase through community meetings we held throughout the area as well as a web survey. Local participation in our original art collection is a further extension of that effort. This is the community’s hospital, and we want them to feel a part of it.”
Leaders at NGMC issued a call to artists in February 2014, inviting the public to submit works for consideration by the hospital’s art committee. The committee specifically looked for locale-specific art that displayed the natural beauty of the Northeast Georgia landscape.
“Our goal was to create a master planned, integrated art program that reflects the diversity and unique beauty found in Northeast Georgia through awe inspiring views of nature,” says Williamson. “We sought works that complement the serene, warm, natural environment we have created through our interior design and also support our comprehensive way finding plan. Ideally, we were looking to create ‘Wow!’ moments for our patients, visitors and staff.”
Preference was given to artists living or working in the local area, an additional component to the hospital’s efforts to make a positive impact on the local economy. “Using local subcontractors and vendors has been a priority goal for us throughout the construction of Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton, and that commitment extends to our selection of original artwork,” says Williamson.
Williamson cites that more than 50% of the subcontractors and vendors used in the construction of the new hospital have come from Hall County and the Northeast Georgia Health System service area, representing more than $40 million.
But the biggest impact of the hospital’s art collection is its proven impact on patient healing, he says.
“Evidence-based research has proven that a soothing environment can reduce patient stress and perception of pain and improve patient outcomes. Creating the ideal patient experience has been our guiding principle throughout this journey, and we are pleased to see this beautiful component of that process come to life on our hospital walls.”
Photo cutlines:
Rodney Hamilton, of the Village at Deaton Creek, views his three photographs on display at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton, along with his wife, daughter and grandchildren.
Penny Stowe, of Pendergrass, inspects her unique spring daisy photograph displayed in the hospital’s imaging corridor.
Gary Nicholson, of Hoschton, brought all of his grandchildren to the Artists Reception to view his photograph of Sells Mill on display in the Human Resources waiting area.
Charles Stephens, of Gainesville, and his wife view his photograph entitled Fall Kaleidoscope hanging in one of the hospital’s nursing units.