Excela Westmoreland Hospital opens healing garden as facet of care
Patients, their families and staff at Excela Westmoreland Hospital have a new spot of tranquility on the Greensburg campus.
Members of Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary on Tuesday dedicated the site's healing garden — a quiet patio with murals, seating, an awning, potted plants and window boxes.
Maureen Cutrell, a nurse at the hospital for 25 years, credited fellow auxiliary member Joan Stairs for choosing flowers for the pots and window boxes and creating a miniature fairy garden.
Studies have shown that just a few minutes in a natural setting can improve blood pressure, respiration rate, brain activity and mood, Cutrell said
“Often, as you would imagine, families are in crisis,” she said, and the garden is an option other than hospital lounges to decompress. “They can come out here and get a little sunshine, a little fresh air.”
She recounted that a critical care physician brought a cancer patient out in a wheelchair to enjoy the view and the air.
“That patient was just thrilled. It probably was the last time that patient came outside,” she said.
Located off the ground floor outside the Side Street Cafe, the healing garden came about as the auxiliary sought a new project. Cutrell suggested the idea to Martin Lang, Excela's vice president of patient experience. Similar green space areas are under development at the Excela Latrobe and Frick hospitals, spokeswoman Robin Jennings said.
The garden not only serves patients and family members, it can give staff caregivers a place to recharge before returning to their responsibilities, Lang said.
Stairs, a member of several garden clubs, selected plants and flowers including petunias, begonias, ferns, ivy, purple grass and tropical mandevilla.
“We tried to pick things with color and what was affordable,” she said.
The auxiliary will provide a $150 annual contribution to keep plants and flowers blooming in the garden. Country Farms Garden Center and Landscape Services of Greensburg assisted with design work, including a cream-colored pergola, awning and faux brickwork. Artist Brenda Alberth painted the brightly colored backdrop.
Cards inviting people to visit the outdoor space will be placed in lounges, nursing stations and the gift shop.
“Hopefully, when they are out here, they don't remember for a few minutes that their loved one is in poor health. We want to get the word out,” Cutrell said.
Mary Pickels is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-836-5401 or mpickels@tribweb.com.
