St. John's Medical Center christens new healing garden

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

By Jake Nichols

Three years ago, I was hospitalized after an attack of diverticulitis. I had no idea what diverticulitis was. I had not been in a hospital or even seen a doctor for 25 years. I was scared. But I found the staff at St. John’s to be incredibly competent and caring. The medicines they gave me soon had me feeling better, but what I attributed my speedy recovery to was a most profound communion with nature.

Like most folks who live here, I treasure being outdoors. I grew restless after just 24 hours in a hospital bed, listening to monitors beeping and watching an IV drip into my arm. Finally, I got up and dragged my whole get-up down the hall and outside for a rest on a bench. To the north was the Elk Refuge, and I sat evermore astounded at the scenery before me, enraptured as a group of sparrows took turns flying out of a nearby tree to bathe in a puddle.

My spirits were lifted during these few moments outdoors. I was released a few hours later. Common sense and the doctors would say I received correct dosages and textbook treatment. Me, I’ll never forget those priceless, healing moments I spent in contemplation away from my bed.

What I didn’t know then was that this holistic approach to healing has been documented, and St. John’s Medical Center has been trying, for over two years, to build a “therapeutic garden” on the very place I sat.

“Most people spend two to three days here on the average hospital stay, and being able to go out to a therapeutic garden is so beneficial,” says Maureen Kight, who works at the SJMC Foundation office and was instrumental in getting the garden completed. “While your body is being healed, your whole person can now be healed.”

St. John’s Medical Center will unveil its new therapeutic garden at 4 p.m. on Thursday. A string quartet will kick off the proceedings. At 4:30 p.m., welcoming and opening remarks will be made and the public will be invited to tour all the new additions at SJMC.

The new therapeutic garden features trees and flowers. A labyrinth will soon to be added. The project was funded entirely by community donations, and  Pierson Landworks donated the architectural design work. Six teak benches were all sold to private sponsors and brick pavers have also helped generate the funds necessary for St. John’s to add the plot while renovating and expanding its Primary Care Unit.

Dr. Mark Menolascino, who has a Primary Care-Internal Medicine practice based out of SJMC, combines evidence-based internal medical knowledge with complementary medicine techniques.

“Our therapeutic garden will be an excellent complement to the holistic care we provide,” Menolascino said. “It will reduce stress, increase energy and restore hope.”
Kight also expects the garden to be a source of solace for staff, as well, noting that hospital employees work hectic schedules with little chance to relieve strain.

New additions are planned for what Kight calls a lasting legacy. They will be paid for with the sale of an additional 300 commemorative pavers ranging in price from $250 to $500. Contact Kight at 739-7529 to make a donation.

Photo by Roan Eastman
The Therapeutic Garden at St. John’s Medical Center opens Thursday.

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St. John's Medical Center christens new healing garden | Planet JH News Article: General Health And Fitness

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