When decorating Excela Square at Norwin, the health care system wanted some artwork with heart.
Naturally, Excela Health officials turned to one of their own – a cardiologist.
Dr. Howard Grill, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of Excela Health's cardiac catheterization laboratory, always has enjoyed taking photographs but became serious about his hobby about 10 years ago.
“I had to put it away for a number of years due to medical school and work,” said Grill, who resides in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
“I mostly do nature photography around the Pittsburgh region, but I've also done some urban photography in the city.”
Excela Square at Norwin features 47 of Grill's photographs, ranging from floral scenes to vast landscapes.
Excela officials first took notice of Grill's photography during the planning phases of Excela Square at Norwin, after visiting his office in Greensburg, said Jennifer Miele, vice president of marketing and communications.
Grill's photographs fit in perfectly with their plans to create a spa-like facility, she said.
“I noticed this stunning photography, and Dr. Grill filled me in on his passion for it,” Miele said.
“We believed it would be a perfect addition to the ambience we envisioned for Excela Square, the marketing team proposed it to our executives, and within weeks, his nature scenes were ordered.
“Dr. Grill's artwork is right at home in this environment.”
Grill said he dedicates most of his time outside of Excela Health to photography and making prints of his work in his home studio.
In fact, he printed each of the photographs for Excela Square at Norwin himself, Grill said.
Typically, Grill's work keeps him in Greensburg, so he doesn't get to visit Excela Square at Norwin to see his work.
“Most nature photography works to impart a sense of calm, peace and beauty,” Grill said. “It's nice to have it in a facility where people can appreciate it.”
Grill has featured displays his work in art galleries throughout the city, and has had it published in a variety of magazines and journals, he said.
The most rewarding part of photography comes from being able to share his view of the world with others, Grill said.
“For me, it's almost a spiritual thing,” he said.
“You become very absorbed and focused in your work in photography, and it feels really good.”
For more of Grill's work, visit www.howardgrill.com.
Brad Pedersen is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-856-7400, ext. 8626, or bpedersen@tribweb.com.
